Classic Chocolate Elegance Cake

1. Prep Pans and Preheat Oven

Set oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and dust with flour.

2. Melt Chocolate

In a heatproof bowl, combine unsweetened chocolate, cocoa, and hot water. Rest bowl over simmering water and melt chocolate, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup sugar, stir until glossy, then cool.

3. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.

4. Mix Wet Ingredients

Blend buttermilk and 1 tsp vanilla.

5. Prepare Egg Mixture

Using a mixer, whisk eggs and yolks for 10 seconds, then add 1 1/4 cups sugar and whisk until fluffy. Switch to paddle attachment, add cooled chocolate mix, then butter, mixing after each addition.

6. Combine Dry and Wet Mixes

Alternate adding dry and wet mixes to the batter. Fold with spatula to ensure all flour is incorporated.

7. Bake the Cake

Divide batter between pans, bake until a toothpick shows moist crumbs, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then on a rack until room temperature.

8. Melt Chocolate for Frosting

Melt the semisweet chocolate over simmering water, stir until smooth, then cool.

9. Prepare Syrup Mix for Frosting

Melt butter, add sugar, corn syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, and salt, and stir until dissolved.

10. Combine Frosting Ingredients

Add melted chocolate, syrup mix, and cream to a mixer bowl.

11. Chill and Whip Frosting

Place bowl over ice, stir until thick, then whip in the mixer until fluffy.

12. Smooth Frosting

Stir frosting until smooth with a spatula.

13. Assemble the Cake

Set one layer on a platter, spread with 1 1/2 cups frosting. Add top layer, frost top and sides evenly.