Happy Valentines Day

Most people think roses when it comes to Valentines Day. In the kitchen however, we’re talking chocolate ! And lot’s of it. Chocolate Blackout Cake has long been one of my favorite recipes because of the chocolate overdose that comes with it… the sponge, the filling, the topping…. yum !

Here’s what I will be making tonight !

Chocolate Blackout Cake
Serves 10 to 12
For the pudding:
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
½ tsp salt
2 eggs
3 cups half-and-half
6 ounces 60% chocolate , melted
2 tsp vanilla paste
Whisk the sugar, cornstarch, salt, vanilla and eggs in a large bowl. In a large pan bring the half-and-half to a boil; pour on to the sugar and cornstarch mix and whisk. Add the chocolate and whisk constantly until the mix thickens, about 4 minutes, then transfer to large bowl. Place plastic wrap directly on surface of pudding and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours or up to 1 day.
For the cake:
8 Tbs unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
¾ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 cup brewed coffee
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 box famous chocolate wafers, crumbled
2 ounces dark chocolate, shaved

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in bowl.
Melt the butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa and cook for about 1 minute. Off the heat, whisk in the coffee, buttermilk, and sugars until dissolved. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla, then slowly fold in the flour mixture.
Divide the batter evenly between prepared pans and bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool layers in pans 10 minutes, then invert onto wire rack. Cool to room temperature, at least 1 hour.
To assemble the cake:

Cut each cake in half horizontally. Place one cake layer on serving platter. Spread some pudding over the first cake layer and top with another layer of cake. Repeat. Spread remaining pudding evenly over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle chocolate wafers and chocolate shavings evenly over top and sides of cake, pressing lightly to adhere crumbs.