Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake

My neighbor recently celebrated a birthday. The big 4-0 so I wanted to make a special surprise for him. His wife told me that his favorite dessert was chocolate cake with raspberries so I did a little digging on the internet and this is the recipe I found. It turned out great and I will definitely make it again and again. The chocolate cake was very rich and the fresh raspberries on top were a nice combination. I even tempered a bit of dark chocolate and piped out a 40 to put in the middle. It's always fun to surprise someone on their birthday with some fresh baked goods!



Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake
Source: Bon Appetit

Cake:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 c. flour
1 3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 c. water
3/4 c. buttermilk
3/4 c. vegetable oil
3 large eggs

Chocolate ganache and raspberry topping:
18 oz. bittersweet chocolate (do not exceed 61% cacao), chopped
2 1/4 c. heavy whipping cream
6 T. seedless raspberry jam, stirred to loosen, divided
2 6-oz. containers fresh raspberries
Powdered sugar

Test-Kitchen Tip:
A two-step process ensures a picture-perfect dessert. First, a thin layer of ganache is spread over the cake and chilled briefly to set (this is called a crumb coat). Another layer of ganache is then poured over the cake, which gives the treat a smooth finish.

Preparation:
Cake
Position racks in top and bottom third of oven; preheat to 350°F. Coat two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides with nonstick spray. Line bottoms with parchment paper rounds; spray rounds. Sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into large bowl; whisk to blend and form well in center. Whisk 1 cup water, buttermilk, oil, and eggs in medium bowl to blend. Pour wet ingredients into well in dry ingredients; whisk just to blend. Divide cake batter between prepared pans (about 3 cups each).

Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. (If cakes form domes, place kitchen towel atop hot cakes, then press gently with palm of hand to level.) Cool completely in pans on cooling racks. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover cakes in pans and let stand at room temperature.


Chocolate ganache and raspberry topping
Place chopped chocolate in medium bowl. Bring cream just to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Pour over chocolate. Let stand 1 minute, then stir until ganache is melted and smooth. Transfer 1 1/4 cups ganache to small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ganache is thick enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Let remaining ganache stand at room temperature to cool until barely lukewarm.

Place rack inside rimmed baking sheet. Carefully run knife around pan edges to release cakes. Invert 1 cake layer onto cardboard round or bottom of 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Peel off parchment paper. Place cake layer on round on prepared rack. Spread 3 tablespoons jam over top. Spoon dollops of chilled ganache over, then spread evenly. Invert second cake layer onto another cardboard round or tart pan bottom. Peel off parchment paper. Carefully slide cake off round and onto frosted cake layer on rack. Spread remaining 3 tablespoons raspberry jam over top of second cake layer. Pour half of barely lukewarm ganache over cake, spreading over sides to cover. Freeze until ganache sets, about 30 minutes. Pour remaining ganache over cake, allowing to drip down sides and spreading over sides if needed for even coverage and to smooth edges. Freeze to set ganache, about 30 minutes. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours before continuing.

Arrange raspberries in concentric circles atop cake. Sift powdered sugar lightly over raspberries and serve.