Black-and-White Mocha Cake
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (optional)
- 8 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped
- 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Basic Chocolate Cake, baked and cooled
- Basic Vanilla Cake, baked and cooled
- Make the ganache: Heat the heavy cream, semisweet chocolate and espresso powder in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water), stirring, until the chocolate is melted and the ganache is smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla and coffee liqueur.
- Remove the bowl from the pan; set aside until cool and thick but still pourable, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, make the filling: Put the milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until smooth.
- Let cool.
- Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the melted milk chocolate and beat until combined.
- Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth.
- Add the cocoa powder and vanilla, increase the mixer speed to medium high and beat until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Assemble the cake: Put 1 chocolate cake layer on a platter; spread 3/4 cup filling on top.
- Top with a vanilla cake layer and spread with another 3/4 cup filling.
- Repeat to make 4 layers, ending with a vanilla cake layer.
- Spread the remaining filling on top and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
- Pour the ganache over the cake, letting it drip down the sides.
- Let set at room temperature before slicing, about 30 minutes.
- Photograph by Levi Brown
heavy cream, semisweet chocolate, espresso powder, vanilla, coffee liqueur, milk chocolate, butter, salt, sugar, cocoa, vanilla, chocolate cake, vanilla cake
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/black-and-white-mocha-cake-recipe.html (may not work)