Three layers of decadent triple chocolate cake will make any chocolate lover happy. It's made of a moist, dark chocolate cake, filled with a milk chocolate ganache, and frosted with chocolate swiss meringue buttercream.
Decadent Triple Chocolate Cake
We have hit the one year mark for Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt. I cannot believe how much I have learned and still have to learn with this food blogging business. When I first started, I literally had no idea what I was getting myself into. I did, however, know that I loved baking and wanted to document and share everything I've done.
I've realized I need to work a bit harder at the social media aspect of blogging, but this baking and eating bit, I'm an expert at. One year ago today, I was knee-deep in trying desperately to figure out what to do after I purchased my hosting and domain. Not today though, because I'm knee deep in triple chocolate cake.
As you can see, we have three layers of chocolate. A moist, dark chocolate cake, milk chocolate ganache, and a chocolate swiss meringue buttercream. My favorite part of the cake is the milk chocolate ganache. Gooey, creamy, and milk freaking chocolate. It's heaven.
I had a cute purple birthday candle to go on top of my cake, but my toddler dropped it before it even had a chance. That's life with a little guy. There are a lot of casualties ..I mean "accidents" during a day's time. Like yesterday, I was in the sunroom trying to capture a good picture and I walk into the kitchen to see a line of salt leading into the living room and then into the bathroom. He was even nice enough to salt the dog's food. It happens.
I couldn't think of what kind of cake I wanted to make for this very special occasion. I wanted something so rich and decadent that you could possibly gain an extra chin just looking at it. I think I can safely say that I've outdone myself on this triple decadent chocolate cake. Loads of chocolate and calories.. check. An extra chin.. check! Yep, I'm giving myself a pat on the back.
This recipe is for days, so let's get cracking on it.
How to make a triple chocolate cake:
Triple Decadent Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- ¾ cup salted butter cubed
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 T. vegetable oil
- ¾ cup Hershey's special dark cocoa powder
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. baking powder
Ganache
- 3 cups milk chocolate chips
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
Buttercream
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup salted butter room temperature and cubed
- ½ cup shortening butter flavored
- 1 T. vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk chococlate ganache
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 9 inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Place a square of parchment paper in the middle of the pan and spray the tops of the parchment paper.
- In a microwave-safe medium bowl, add in the water and butter. Microwave for 2 and half minutes.
- Add in the vegetable oil and cocoa powder and whisk until smooth.
- Add in sour cream and vanilla and continue to whisk until the sour cream in incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, add in cake flour, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder. Whisk until combined.
- Pour the cocoa mixture in with the dry ingredients. Add in the lightly beaten eggs. I add the eggs now because I don't want them to cook in the hot cocoa mixture. Whisk until everything is combined. Try to whisk out most of the lumps.
- Divide the batter into the two 9 inch cake pans. I wrapped my pans with Wilton's even bake strips.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until they're done. Place a toothpick in the center of the cake and if it comes out clean or with moist crumbs it's done.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes and then turn onto a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Ganache
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add in chocolate chips and heavy cream. Microwave 45 seconds and mix with spatula. Repeat until the ganache is smooth and completely melted. Place in the fridge for 2-3 hours until the ganache hardens.
Buttercream
- In a double boiler, add the egg whites and granulated sugar.
- Stir until the sugar is dissolved. This is when the egg whites reach about 160 degrees.
- Pour into the stand mixer bowl, and whip with a whisk attachment on high. The meringue needs to come to stiff peaks. If you turn the whisk upside down and the peak stands straight up, you've reached the stiff peak stage.
- Add all at once the shortening and butter. Beat until it all comes together. It will thicken up at this point. If the mixture looks like it curdled, keep mixing. It will come back together.
- Add the vanilla and 1 cup of the prepared milk chocolate ganache. Mix until combined.
- The frosting should be thick and creamy. If it looks separated, keep mixing. It will come back together.
Assemble
- On the first layer of cake, make a dam with the chocolate buttercream. I used a piping bag and a coupler to achieve this.
- Fill the cake with the rest of the milk chocolate ganache. Spread the ganache so it's even.
- Add on the top layer of the cake and use the spatula to go around the dam to smooth it out.
- Spread the buttercream over the cake until you have the desired effect.
- Store in the fridge.
Nutrition
(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.)
Giselle says
OMG That cake looks amazing. I wish I had one of those at my 1st year blogiversary!
Congrats on making it to a year 😀
Miranda says
Thank you!
Julie @ Girl on the Move says
I love birthdays! I love giveaways! And I love cake! This is like the perfect post 🙂
Miranda says
haha! Well, thank you! I love giveaways too! 😀
Julie @ Girl on the Move says
And my most used kitchen tool is my KitchenAid mixer!
Miranda says
mine too!
Akaleistar says
Happy Blogiversary! That cake looks delicious 🙂
Miranda says
Thank you! 😀
Christina Lakey | Food Apparel says
Miranda!
Congrats on one year. Our blog is coming up on the one year mark next month. We just became members of the CCN so we are still trying to meet everyone. You are doing an amazing job! Your pics are fabulous! Especially this chocolate cake. I'm a passionate chocolate lover at heart. Keep it up and let's stay in touch!
Miranda says
Thank you! It's nice to meet you, Christina! CCN is a great place to get to know other bloggers. We will definitely stay in touch. 😀
Lori Who Needs A Cape? says
Such an amazing looking cake! Congrats on your blogiversary! I'd have to say, my flat wooden spoon is my most used kitchen tool, always using it for something!
Miranda says
Thank you so much! I think the wooden spoon is my moms favorite too. She uses that thing for ..everything!
Maggie Bennett says
i have a kitchenAid mixer and i love it..my fave utensil is the spoon spatula..i only have one,, would love another...i don't have any mixing bowls with pouring spouts..love em.. :grin:thanks for doing the giveaway ❗ and Happy 😀 one year Blogaversary ❗ ❗
Miranda says
I love to see someone super amped up about kitchen goodies! I love my kitchenaid mixer too! Good luck on the giveaway and thank you!
Elizabeth @ SugarHero.com says
Happy blogiversary!! 1 year is a big milestone--congratulations! This cake looks like the perfect way to celebrate! And I know EXACTLY what you mean about life with a toddler--I basically follow him around preventing disasters twelve hours a day. Exhausting but it makes for good stories, right?
Miranda says
Thank you! It really does make for great stories. I love to call my mom and tell her about her grandson. She finds basically everything he does hilarious. 😀
Candy Cain Severson says
I use my scraper ALOT, I just love it for everything!!
Miranda says
That's a good tool. It's pretty high up on my list too!
Patricia says
i love the chocolate swiss meringue buttercream, yummie
Thanks, this is a nice giveaway.
Didn't know the giveaway came in purple.... LOVELY 😀
Miranda says
Thank you and you're welcome! I loved those purple cups and spoons. They called to me! lol and I'm sorry it's not international. 🙁
Patricia says
to bad i'm not a US citizen 🙁
Kelly says
Happy blogiversary Miranda! This cake looks amazing and this decadent chocolate one is the perfect celebration cake:)
Miranda says
Thank you!
Rachel Cartucci says
I use my spatula for everything..or so my sister always says. I once got my son out of a room he locked himself into by prying the door open with a spatula. HA! Happy Blogiversary!
Miranda says
haha! I guess you do pretty much use the spatula for everything! Thank you!
Dina says
oh that cake looks amazing!
Miranda says
Thank you, Dina!
Susie (The Esthetic Goddess) says
Oh em gee! Miranda decadent is the perfect way to describe this cake! My mouth is watering! I am trying to think of the next occasion that I can make this. Yum! 😆
Miranda says
Hi Susie! Tomorrow's St. Patrick's day! Why not celebrate with a very decadent cake? lol Thank you!
Cassandra Eastman says
My most used kitchen tool is my stainless spatula and crockpot!
natalie yeoman says
i would have to say my whisk
MaryB says
My mixer is my most used tool but for smaller things, I love my whisk!
Joann @EuchreFun says
Miranda, Congrats on your one year blogiversary!! I just had mine last month and I agree there's a lot to learn. I LOVE chocolate and this cake looks amazing!! Enjoy the celebration 🙂 Visiting from Let's Mingle Monday Social Link Party.
Miranda says
Thank you Joann! Happy belated blogiversary to you! It's a great feeling of accomplishment, that's for sure!
Leah B says
I use the colander the most - no more burnt hands from trying to strain water out of a pot and lid!
Miranda says
I wish I would just use a colander. I'm always trying to dirty the least amount of dishes, but yet I'll start baking and have my sink heaped full of dirty dishes. I don't get myself sometimes. lol
Leah B says
dirtying the least amount of dishes is always a priority when you have a little one in the house to keep you busy! 😉
Miranda says
haha! That's for sure!
Susan Christy says
I use my wooden spoons more than anything.
Miranda says
They are pretty high up on my list too.
Darlene Carbajal says
Measuring cup is the most used!
Miranda says
Awesome! Good luck! You could be sporting some new measuring cups if you win! lol
Sarah Oswald says
My most used kitchen tool is my can opener.
Miranda says
That's a new one!
Shanna says
My most used kitchen tool would have to be my slow cooker...
Miranda says
really? You'll have to share some of your recipes! I would love to use mine more, but I only have a few recipes that I use it for.
David Smith says
Saved the recipe so I can try it out later, it looks amazingly good. Most used tool is our knives, but for baking, definitely the KitchenAid K5A stand mixer that is still working great after about 40-50 years that was my mom's.
Miranda says
Thank you! Wow, that's an old stand mixer! I hope mine lasts that long! lol
Kesha says
I use my KitchenAid mixer most!
Jen M. says
The tool I use a lot is my mini whisk.
Misty Lunceford says
My most used kitchen item is my rice cooker. I would be so lost without it!
Miranda says
I've been looking for a good rice to use in mine. What's your go-to rice to use?
Angela says
My Kitchenaid Stand mixer is the most used item 😉
Thanks.
Miranda says
I'm with you there! You're welcome. Good luck!
Wood says
I can't belviee I've been going for years without knowing that.
Kait @ ChickadeeSays says
I constantly use my veggie peeler!
Miranda says
That's one of my summer most used tools. I love fresh veggies out of the garden!
Felice/All That's Left Are The Crumbs says
My most used tool is my spoonula.
Miranda says
lol Spoonula made me think of Rachel Ray. I used to watch her religiously until my son started insisting on watching cartoons.
Julie says
my spatulas thanks for the giveaway
Miranda says
Thank you for entering the giveaway! Good luck!
Kelly O'M says
My favorite tool is my grain mill. I don't do most of the cooking and my husband has all sorts of kitchen gadgets that he adores, but the mill, offers such freshness to our recipes.
Alena Belleque says
My most used kitchen tools are definitely my silicone spatulas. I love them!!
Miranda says
They do come in handy!
Dana says
A wooden spoon. / danabeeman(at)gmail(dot)com
Miranda says
I think everyone loves the wooden spoon!
Stephanie Bourne says
I use my measuring cups the most.
Devon says
My stand mixer get used a lot when I bake.
Miranda says
Mine too! I can't keep a hand mixer in the house. I just destroy them. 🙁
Aisha Belisario says
Measuring cups and bowls are my most used tools and my mixer.
Natalie says
My most used kitchen tool is either my Kitchenaid stand mixer or my nice cookie sheet.
Kelly D says
I use my hand mixer the most.
Miranda says
What kind of hand mixer do you have? I'm trying to find one that can stand up to me and my roughness. I just keep destroying them.
Kelly D says
I have a GE 200 Watt Hand Mixer. .It's over 10 yrs old now!
Miranda says
Holy cow! I might need to get myself one of those!
christina moore says
My most used kitchen item is my vegetable slicer
Laura J says
Oh I would have to say mine is our apple/peeler/corer!
Carter loves his apples and I am using it a couple times a day for him!
Miranda says
Is it the slicer, peeler, and corer? I think mine frustrates me more than anything! Is there a science to the thing or what?
Laura J says
The one I got is one you set on the table, put the apple in the fork, and turn the crank handle. It peels the apple, cores it, and slices it in a circular motion. Its so easy to use....takes me about 30 seconds to have Carters apples ready! I love it. I dont know what brand mine is, but I got it at Bed Bath & Beyond.
Miranda says
I might just need to get a new one. I got mine at salvo a couple of years ago. I bought a new fork for it. Probably in need of an upgrade. lol
Bobbie Smith says
My most used tool in the kitchen are my measuring cups..I bake a lot, so they are definitely put to use...I wish they would make measuring cups that had all the cups sizes...google is definitely my friend when it calls for odd cups.
Miranda says
I used to have a kitchen app on my phone for that. It's especially hard when trying to convert a recipe!
Pamela j says
That would have to be my knives. And the oven of course. Happy Blogiversary!
Miranda says
Thank you, Pamela!
nancyfancypink says
My most used kitchen tool is my whisk! We eat scrambled eggs every day
Miranda says
The whisk is definitely a handy tool to have then! 😀
LeeAnn G Taylor {The Mosaic Life} says
Most used kitchen tool - basics - frying pan and wooden spoons. Although I'd love a Kitchen Aide mixer...
Jennifer says
my mixing bowls by far!!
Allison says
Glad to find your blog through Julie at Girl on the Move! Great post and giveaway! Thanks 🙂
Miranda says
Thank you!
Allison says
Oh and my most used kitchen tool right now is my Bullet for making smoothies!
Miranda says
I've been using my bullet for smoothies a lot lately too!
Stella says
I found myself nodding my noggin all the way thguroh.
Carolsue says
My most used kitchen tool is my food processor
Lisa Neutel says
I use my measuring cup and spoons almost daily
Allie says
I think I use the spatula the most
Evie says
That cake looks amazing!! And after 33 years of marriage I can use some new kitchen aid goodies. It's been a long time since I got shower and wedding gifts!
Miranda says
Thank you! 33 years! Wow. Good luck!!
katy says
My knife is very important
amy stonger says
My most used kitchen utensil is a spatula!
Nikki says
My most used kitchen tool is the can opener. Thanks!
laurie says
I use pans and spoons the most but I use meausing cups and spoons too
sky evans says
I use spoons a lot.
christine reyes says
😉 I use my cutting boards a lot.
Morgan says
Just made the cake and it is so good. It's an amazing recipe...a bit of extra time to make but worth it and if you want awesome it takes a bit more effort , right? Thanks for the post!
Miranda says
Thank you so much, Morgan!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
Happy blogiversary! I love chocolate cake and this one looks very fabulous, Miranda. Can't wait to try it!