Elizabeth's Extreme Chocolate Lover's Cake

Recipe View 5 mins Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins Melt 6 ounces of the chopped unsweetened chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth. Let cool slightly. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 3 mins Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and the cooled melted chocolate. (3 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins Stir in the boiling water until just combined. The batter will be thin. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 40 mins Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (35-40 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins Make the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting: Melt the remaining 6 ounces of chopped unsweetened chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth. Let cool slightly. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins In a large bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins Beat in the egg yolk, then gradually add the confectioners' sugar, alternating with the vanilla and heavy cream, until smooth and creamy. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Beat in the cooled melted chocolate and the softened cream cheese until well combined. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins Make the Ganache: In a medium saucepan, combine the bittersweet chocolate chips and heavy cream. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 2 mins Assemble the cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. (2 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Pour a generous amount of ganache over the top of the first layer and refrigerate for 5 minutes to allow the ganache to set slightly. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins Spread a thick layer of chocolate buttercream frosting over the ganache. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins Top with the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream frosting. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 30 mins Drizzle with the remaining ganache and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the frosting to set. (30 minutes)