|
Best-Dressed Chefs! www.coolaprons.com |
|
|
|
Best-Dressed Chefs! www.coolaprons.com |
|
For the frosting:
6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, broken
into small pieces
3 ounces ( 3/8 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1. For cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter sides of
two 8-inch cake pans, and line bottoms
with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor
fitted with a knife blade, combine flour,
sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, butter,
eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Process
to make a smooth, thick batter.
2. Using a rubber spatula, divide batter between pans,
and smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester
inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes;
do not overbake. Transfer to a wire rack to
cool for 10 minutes before removing from cake pans.
3. For frosting: Combine chocolate and butter in a large
heat-proof bowl, and heat until melted
in a microwave oven or over a pan of simmering water.
Remove from heat, and allow to cool
for 5 minutes. Stir in corn syrup, sour cream, and vanilla.
Whisk in confectioners' sugar until
very smooth. Frosting should be thick and spreadable.
If necessary, add a teaspoon or two of
boiling water to thin it, or additional sifted confectioners'
sugar to thicken.
4. Cut four strips of waxed or parchment paper, and place
them side by side on a cake plate,
covering the surface. Place one cake layer domed-side
down on plate.
5. Spoon about a third of the frosting onto center of
cake, and use a knife or a spatula to spread
it evenly. Place the other cake on top, domed side up.
Spoon another third of frosting on top of
cake, spreading to make swirls or a smooth finish. Spread
sides of cake with remaining frosting,
and allow to sit for a few minutes until set. Carefully
remove paper strips. Place cake under glass
or in an airtight container, and set aside in a cool
place until serving.
Yield: 10 to 12 servings.