All Chocolate Blackout Cake From Ebingers Recipes

EBINGER'S BLACKOUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F degrees. Butter and lightly flour two (8-inch) round cake pans.
• Make the cake: Place the cocoa in a small bowl and whisk in the boiling water to form a paste.
• Combine the chopped chocolate and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until the chocolate melts, about three minutes. Remove from the heat. Whisk a small amount of the hot chocolate milk into the cocoa paste to warm it. Whisk the cocoa mixture into the milk mixture. Return the pan to medium heat and stir for one minute. Remove and set aside to cool until tepid.
• In the bowl of a mixer, cream the butter and sugar together. Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time, and the vanilla. Slowly stir in the chocolate mixture. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using a spatula or a wooden spoon, slowly add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture. Fold in until just mixed.
• In another bowl, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Using a spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the batter.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool the cakes in the pans on rack for 15 minutes. Gently remove the cakes from the pans and continue to cool.
• While the cake is baking, make the filling: Combine the cocoa and boiling water in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the sugar and chocolate. Add the dissolved cornstarch paste and salt to the pan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for one minute. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla and butter. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until cool and thick.
• Make the frosting: Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over hot, not simmering, water, stirring until smooth. Remove the top of the double boiler from the heat and whisk in the butter, one tablespoon at a time. Return the top to the heat, if necessary, to melt the butter.
• Whisk in the hot water all at once and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the corn syrup and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for about 45 minutes until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
• Assemble the cake: use a sharp serrated knife to slice each cake layer horizontally in half to form four layers. Set one layer aside. Place one layer on a cake round or plate. Generously swath the layer with one-half of the filling. Add the second layer and repeat. Set the third layer on top. Quickly apply a thin layer of frosting to the top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, crumble the remaining cake layer. Apply the remaining frosting to the cake. Sprinkle it liberally with the cake crumbs. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

EBINGER'S BLACKOUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease and flour 2-9" cake pans.
• Make the cake:.
• Stir the cocoa with with some of the milk to form a paste.
• Stir in the rest of the milk and beat with a whisk until the mixture is smooth.
• Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixture, combine the butter, shortening, sugar, eggs, vanilla.
• Beat for one minute, or until the mixture is fluffy.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking powder and salt.
• Add the mixture, alternating with the chocolate mixture, to the contents of the bowl, beating between additions, beginning and ending with flour.
• Beat only until the dry ingredients are absorbed.
• Divide the batter between the 2 cake pans, and smooth with a spatula.
• Bake for 35-40 minutes until the cake shrinks from the sides of the pans, and the top springs back when gently pressed with a fingertip.
• Do not overbake!
• Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto racks.
• Turn right-side up and let cool completely.
• Make the pudding:.
• Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in a small, heavy saucepan.
• Gradually add the milk, mixing thoroughly with a whisk.
• Add the chocolate.
• Place over moderate heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and bubbles; about 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Pour into a small bowl, and put plastic wrap or wax paper directly on the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming.
• Cool.
• Make the frosting:.
• Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler.
• Remove from heat and cool slightly.
• In a medium bowl beat the butter, vanilla and eggs until well blended.
• The mixture will not blend completely- Don't worry!
• Gradually beat in the sugar, about 2 T at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in the melted chocolately.
• Chill the frosting while assmebling the rest of the cake, about 15 minutes.
• Assembly:.
• Using a serrated knife, cut each cake layer in half horizontally.
• Place one of the layers in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to make crumbs.
• Set Aside.
• Sandwich the remaining 3 layers with the chocolate pudding filling.
• I work on a cardboard cake circle, or the bottom of a springform pan.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake with the chocolate frosting.
• Working over a baking sheet, hold the cake in the palm of your hand.
• Using your other hand, press the cake crumbs all over the top and sides of the cake.
• Pick up any crumbs that drop, and press them back on.