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Chocolate Three Layer Cake
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3 Layer Chocolate Cake

A great and unexpected cake for my birthday.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dessert
Servings: 8 people

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups flour
  • 1 cup cocoa powder unsweetened
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 12 ounces stout beer
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon espresso beans finely ground
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup dark chocolate morsels

Ingredients For Frosting

  • 1½ cups unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 5 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325°F.
  • Grease three 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  • Sift together the flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl and set aside.
  • Pour the stout into a large measuring cup and mix in vanilla and espresso.  Set aside.
  • In another large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until it is completely mixed and light in texture.  The beat in one egg at a time, combining thoroughly between each egg.
  • Add the mayonnaise and beat until creamy.
  • Mix together the dry ingredient with the stout and the butter mixture, adding a third of each to the mixing bowl until it is all combined together.  Fold in the chocolate morsels so they are evenly distributed.
  • Pour the batter into the 3 cake pans, taking care to distribute as evenly as possible.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of each pan comes out clean.  Remove the pans from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes.
  • Loosen the cake from the pans using a thin knife.  Carefully turn out each layer onto a cooling rack, peel off the parchment paper, and allow to sit until the cakes are completely cool to the touch. 
  • Meanwhile, make the frosting by beating the vanilla into the butter in a large bowl. 
  • Add the cocoa powder, powdered sugar and milk gradually, stirring continuously until all ingredients are mixed in and the frosting has that fluffy consistency.
  • Frost each layer and then frost around the sides.  Top with berries or sliced strawberries for a touch of color.
  • Slice and serve.

Notes

Sing Happy Birthday, with gusto!