The Best Triple Chocolate Cake

I made this cake recently for my brother's birthday and it was a hit.  My husband is actually the one who suggested a layered chocolate cake and this is a mixture of several recipes that came together to form this one.  I like the process involoved because you only use one cake pan (a 7, 8 or 9 inch round) and then you just cut that horizontally twice to form the 3 layers.  It is a rich cake but is small, which means not having cake sitting on the counter for a few days, which also means I am not eating it for days afterward (always a plus!).

Triple Chocolate Cake

4 eggs, yolks separated from whites and whites stiffly beaten
3/4 C. plus 2T. sugar
3oz. semisweet chocolate, melted
3/4 C. all purpose OR cake flour
2 C. chocolate buttercream (recipe below)

Rich Chocolate Glaze:
2oz. semisweet chocolate
3oz. confectioners (powdered) sugar
1T. butter
2t. water
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten

For the cake, mix the egg yolks and sugar with a whisk for a minute or so till they are pale yellow. Fold in the melted chocolate, flour and blend well and then gently fold in the egg whites.  Butter and flour one 7, 8 or 9 inch round pan.  If using a 7 inch pan, it should be at least 3 inches high.  I used a 9 inch pan, which makes a shorter, wider cake but of course, thinner layers.  Bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes.  A tester in the middle should come out dry when done.  

When the cake is cooled, make two horizontal cuts to create 3 cake layers.  Layer buttercream on the first cake round, topped with the second round and another layer of buttercream.  Top with final cake round.

For the chocolate glaze, mix all ingredients except the egg yolk into a small saucepan, melting the chocolate with the the sugar, water and butter over low heat.  Remove from heat and add the beaten egg yolk, which binds the icing.  Pour this evenly over the top of the cake.

Buttercream Recipe

1 box powdered sugar

10T. butter

1/2 C. milk

1t. salt

2t. vanilla extract

1/2 C. cocoa powder

Melt the butter and mix with the cocoa using a hand mixer or kitchen aid.  Add the salt and vanilla and then alternate adding the milk and sugar, mixing between additions.

Happy Valentine's Day!!