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All-in-One Chocolate Cake

Source of Recipe


Nigella Lawson






List of Ingredients



• -- For the Cake --
  
• Butter for greasing baking pans
  
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
  
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
  
• 1/3 cup best-quality cocoa powder
  
• 6 ounces (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  
• 2 tsp vanilla
  
• 3/8 cup sour cream, at room temperature
  
• .
  
• -- For the Frosting --
  
• 6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
  
• 3 ounces (3/8 stick) unsalted butter
  
• 1 Tbsp light corn syrup
  
• 1/2 cup sour cream
  
• 1 tsp vanilla
  
• 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
  






Instructions



1. For cake: Heat oven to 350° F. Butter sides of two 8-inch cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Process to make a smooth, thick batter.
   
   
2. Using a rubber spatula, divide batter between pans, and smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes; do not overbake. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing from cake pans.
   
   
3. For frosting: Combine chocolate and butter in a large heat-proof bowl, and heat until melted in a microwave oven or over a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat, and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in corn syrup, sour cream and vanilla. Whisk in confectioners' sugar until very smooth. Frosting should be thick and spreadable. If necessary, add a teaspoon or two of boiling water to thin it, or additional sifted confectioners' sugar to thicken.
   
   
4. Cut 4 strips of waxed or parchment paper, and place them side by side on a cake plate, covering the surface. Place one cake layer, domed-side down, on plate. Spoon about a third of the frosting onto center of cake, and use a knife or a spatula to spread it evenly. Place the other cake on top, domed-side up. Spoon another third of frosting on top of cake, spreading to make swirls or a smooth finish. Spread sides of cake with remaining frosting, and allow to sit for a few minutes until set.
   
   
5. Carefully remove the paper strips. Place cake under glass or in an airtight container, and set aside in a cool place until serving.
   
   Makes 10 to 12 servings.