Mayors Chocolate Cake Recipes

CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter the bottom of two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper, and then butter and flour the parchment and the sides of the pans. (Alternatively, replace the butter and flour with nonstick cooking spray with flour, such as Baker's Joy or Pam with Flour.)
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds to combine. Add the eggs, oil, sour cream, and vanilla and mix on low speed until combined.
• Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Then, reduce the speed to low and gradually pour in the hot water (be careful to pour very slowly so it doesn't splash). The batter will be soupy. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl; mix again until evenly combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting.
• Cool the cake layers in the pans on a rack for 10 minutes. Invert the cakes onto a wire rack, remove the pans and cool completely. When the cakes have cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Using an icing spatula or butter knife, spread about ¾ cup of the frosting over the first layer. Top with the second layer, then spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, swirling decoratively. The cake is best enjoyed fresh on the day it is made, but it will keep for 2 to 3 days stored in a cake dome at room temperature.
• Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and cook in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until it's about three-quarters of the way melted. Stir, allowing the residual heat in the bowl to melt the remaining chocolate completely. (If necessary, place the chocolate back in microwave for a few seconds.) Set aside to cool.
• In a food processor, process the butter, confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder and salt until smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the corn syrup and vanilla and process until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the lukewarm melted chocolate and pulse until smooth and creamy, 10 to 15 seconds. Do not overmix.
• The frosting can be used immediately or held at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours. It may lose its shine as it sits-to bring the shine back, run a metal spoon under hot water, then wipe dry with a towel; stir the frosting with the hot spoon and it should shine right up.
• Note: If making this cake for children, I recommend using milk chocolate for the frosting (Hershey or Lindt milk chocolate bars work well). Semi-sweet chocolate will lend a more intense chocolate flavor (Ghirardelli bars for baking are ideal).

WORLD'S BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit/170 degrees Celsius. Grease a 9-inch/23-centimeter round springform pan with butter and line with parchment paper, then set aside.
• Make the cake: Place butter, chocolate and hot coffee in a large heatproof bowl and mix well until everything is melted, combined and smooth. Whisk in sugar by hand until dissolved. Add eggs and vanilla extract and whisk again until thoroughly combined and smooth. Sift flour, cocoa powder and salt together into a bowl and then whisk this into the melted chocolate mixture. The batter here is liquid, but don't think you have missed something; this is how it should be.
• Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour, or until the cake is cooked and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few dry crumbs attached. The top will form a crust and crack a little, but don't worry, this is expected. Leave the cake to cool for 20 minutes before removing from the pan, then set aside until completely cool.
• Make the chocolate ganache, if desired: Place chocolate pieces in a food processor, process until fine and set aside. Combine cream and corn syrup in a small pan and place over medium-high heat. As soon as bubbles begin to appear (just before it comes to a boil), remove from the heat. Get the food processor running again, with the chocolate still inside, and pour in the hot cream in a steady stream. Process for 10 seconds, then add butter. Continue to process until mixture is shiny and smooth. (You can also make the ganache by hand; just make sure the chocolate is chopped fairly finely before adding the cream mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until almost melted, then add the butter. Stir again until the ganache is smooth.)
• Use a rubber spatula to scrape the ganache into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, with the plastic actually touching the top of the ganache. Set aside until it has set to the consistency you want. If you want a thin layer to spread over the cake, it can be poured over while liquid so that you get an even, light and shiny coating. For a thicker ganache with a spreading consistency, leave it for about 2 hours at room temperature. (The ganache can be stored at room temperature, providing it's not too warm, for 3 days or kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It can also be frozen, although it will lose a bit of its shine when defrosted.)
• Make the espresso cinnamon mascarpone cream, if desired: Place all the ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat for 1 to 2 minutes, until soft peaks form.
• Peel the parchment from the cake and discard. Transfer to a serving platter and spread the ganache, if using, on top of the cake. Slice into wedges, divide the cake among plates and, if using, spoon the mascarpone cream alongside. With or without icing, the cake will keep well for 4 to 5 days in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

Steps:

• Microwave the butter in a microwave-safe mug in 10-second increments until melted, 20 to 30 seconds. Crack the egg into a small bowl; add the vanilla and whisk to combine using a small whisk or fork. Pour the egg mixture into the mug over the butter and whisk to combine.
• Add the sugar, cocoa powder and salt and whisk until mostly smooth (a few lumps are O.K.). Scrape down the sides the best you can with a spoon or a small silicone spatula. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, if desired.
• Cook in the microwave on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Sift a little confectioners' sugar on top or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired. Dig in with a spoon.

MAYOR'S CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Make Cake.
• Lightly grease a 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch jellyroll pan and line the bottom with waxed paper; grease paper.
• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Put shortening in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer or large wooden spoon until fluffy, scraping side of bowl frequently.
• Slowly add sugar, salt and vanilla to the shortening beating until mixture is smooth and no lumps remain.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Mix buttermilk and baking soda in a small bowl (mixture will foam).
• Alternately add flour and buttermilk-soda mixture to egg mixture in bowl, beating well after each addition, beginning and ending with flour.
• Stir in melted chocolate and pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake 35 minutes. Turn cake out on a wire rack to cool and remove paper.
• Fruit-Nut Filling:.
• Pour evaporated milk, water and sugar into a small saucepan and cook, stirring frequently until sugar dissolves. Add fruit and bring to a boil, stirring constantly and cook until thick. Completely cool and stir in vanilla and chopped nuts.
• Chocolate Icing:.
• In the top of a double boiler, melt chocolate pieces and butter over hot water. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, vanilla and salt. Gradually beat in confectioners sugar until icing is of spreading consistency.
• Flip cooled cake over and cut in half crosswise. Place one half on a serving platter and top with fruit-nut filling spreading evenly.
• Place the remaining cake on top; frost top and sides with chocolate icing.

MILLIONAIRES CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
• Dissolve cocoa powder in boiling water, set aside to cool.
• Grease & flour a 11inch (28cm) long & 8inch (20cm) wide oven proof container.
• Separate the eggs ( beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and set aside).
• Beat the egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add the cooled cocoa mixture and beat well.
• Add the oil and vanilla essence beat well.
• Sift in the flour and baking powder and beat only until blended.
• Fold in the stiffly beaten egg white with a metal spoon.
• Pour mixture into oven proof container and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
• While the cake is baking make the syrup.
• Put the evaporated milk, sugar, brandy, vanilla essence into a pot on the stove bring to the boil, boil together until sugar has dissolved.
• When the cake is baked removed from oven prick the top of the cake all over with a fork and pour the syrup over the cake.
• Leave the cake to get completely cold.
• While the cake is getting cold make the frosting.
• Break up the chocolate squares place in a basi over a 1/2 pot of water and simmer until the chocolate has melted ( do not put any liquid near this while the chocolate is melting otherwise the chocolate will split and go dry).
• Let the chocolate cool slightly.
• Whisk the cream until soft peaks are formed, add the brandy beat well then gradually fold in the cooled chocolate.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake with this mixture.

CHOCOLATE MAYONNAISE CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the water, mayonnaise and vanilla until well blended. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa and baking soda; gradually beat into mayonnaise mixture until blended. , Pour into a greased 9-in. square or 11x7-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely. , For frosting, in a small saucepan, cook and stir the brown sugar in butter until bubbly. Remove from the heat; stir in milk. Gradually add confectioners' sugar; beat until smooth. Frost cake.

MAYONNAISE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar cocoa, baking powder and baking soda. Beat in mayonnaise and water. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Spread with frosting.

ONE-BOWL CHOCOLATE-MAYONNAISE CAKE

Steps:

• To a large mixing bowl, add cocoa powder and chopped bittersweet chocolate (if using). Pour in boiling liquid, and let it sit for a few minutes, then whisk until smooth. The chocolate will have melted, if you used it, and the cocoa dissolved.
• Whisk in mayonnaise, salt, baking soda, 3/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth. Then whisk in a teaspoon of vanilla extract, if you have it (or a dash of Bourbon or brandy or just leave it out entirely). Finally, whisk in 1 1/2 cups flour (either all-purpose or cake flour), mixing vigorously to eliminate any lumps.
• Grease an 8- or 9-inch pan (square, round, star-shaped, anything is good). Pour the batter into the pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 22 to 40 minutes, until the top springs back when the center is lightly pressed. The deeper the pan, the longer it will take to bake through.
• Let cool, and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar to finish.