Double Chocolate Delight Cake

1. Prepare the Cake Pans

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans and dust them with cocoa powder to ensure your cake doesn’t stick and bakes evenly.

2. Sift Dry Ingredients

Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and fine sea salt. This step helps to blend all the dry ingredients thoroughly and prevents lumps.

3. Beat Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the room-temperature butter and sugar with an electric mixer using the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates a nice airy base for your cake.

4. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract. This ensures that each egg is fully incorporated, contributing to the cake’s structure and flavor.

5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

With the mixer on low speed, add the sifted dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk in two additions. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. This method helps to keep the batter smooth and prevents overmixing.

6. Add Melted Chocolate

Once the dry and wet ingredients are combined, mix in the melted chocolate until the batter is well blended and has a uniform color.

7. Bake the Cakes

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake in the preheated oven for 24 to 28 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. This ensures the cakes are baked through.

8. Cool the Cakes

Allow the cakes to rest in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This helps the cakes set and makes them easier to handle.

9. Prepare the Frosting

While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting. Sift the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, and salt into a large bowl. In another bowl, beat the room-temperature butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add the sifted mixture, beating well to combine.

10. Finish the Frosting

Beat in the melted chocolate and buttermilk until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.

11. Assemble the Cake

Once the cakes are completely cool, slice each cake layer horizontally if you want more layers. Place one cake layer on your serving platter, and spread a generous amount of frosting over the top. Repeat with the remaining layers, ending with a layer of frosting on top. Frost the sides of the cake as well.

12. Decorate and Chill

If desired, scatter small decorations over the top of the cake. Chill the cake for at least one hour to let the frosting set. Before serving, bring the cake to room temperature to enjoy its full flavor and texture.