Chocolate Fudge Celebration Cake

This cake is all about deep cocoa flavor and a dramatic drip. Chill between steps so the frosting and ganache stay neat.

Ingredients

Chocolate cake

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup neutral oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup hot coffee or hot water

Chocolate frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Fudge drip

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 tbsp butter

Steps

1. Heat oven to 350F. Grease and line two 8-inch pans.
2. Whisk dry cake ingredients. Beat in eggs, oil, vanilla, and buttermilk.
3. Stir in hot coffee until smooth, then divide into pans.
4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely.
5. Beat frosting ingredients until fluffy.
6. Stack and frost the cake. Chill 20 minutes.
7. Warm cream and pour over chocolate and butter. Rest 2 minutes, then stir smooth.
8. Let ganache cool to a thick pour, then drip around the edge and spread on top.
9. Chill 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

• Keep the ganache slightly warm so it drips, but not hot so it melts the frosting.
• Save cake crumbs to sprinkle over the top for texture.