The Ultimate Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe | Cupcake Jemma

Need Chocolate Cake? Look no further. This really is the most indulgent, decadent, moist and chocolatey Chocolate Cake you will EVER MAKE! It looks impressive but it's really very simple to make. For best results bake your sponge one day ahead to give it time to relax and get even softer for the ultimate fudgey consistency.

Remember to tag using your photos over on Instagram using the tag #cupcakejemma so we can see and share your bakes.

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For the cake in the video: 4 x 7" tins. Will also work for 3 x 8" tins.
250g Unsalted Butter
250g 70% Chocolate
180ml Brewed Coffee (or 180ml Hot water with 2 tbsp Instant Coffee Granules)
4 Eggs
150ml Buttermilk (see link below for how to make your own)
3 tbsp Vegetable or Sunflower Oil
430g caster sugar
150g Plain Flour
150g Self Raising Flour
60g Cocoa Powder
3/4 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
430g Caster Sugar
100g Butter
200g Chocolate (I like 50% for ganache)
100g Double Cream
If you want to fill and ice with ganache you can double this quantity.

125g Soft Unsalted Butter
225g Icing Sugar
80g Melted Chocolate (70% is best for buttercream)
If you want to fill and ice with buttercream you can double this quantity.

For a 6" cake follow these ingredients. If you need something even smaller just halve all of the ingredients!
190g Unsalted Butter
190g 70% Chocolate
120ml Brewed Coffee (or 180ml Hot water with 2 tbsp Instant Coffee Granules)
3 Eggs
115ml Buttermilk (see link below for how to make your own)
2 tbsp Vegetable or Sunflower Oil
325g Caster Sugar
115g Plain Flour
115g Self Raising Flour
45g Cocoa Powder
1/2 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
1/4 tsp Salt

75g Butter
150g Chocolate (I like 50% for ganache)
75g Double Cream
If you want to fill and ice with ganache you can double this quantity.

95g Soft Unsalted Butter
170g Icing Sugar
60g Melted Chocolate (70% is best for buttercream)
If you want to fill and ice with buttercream you can double this quantity.

MY INSTAGRAM: @cupcakejemma
CAKESTAGRAM: @crumbsanddoilies

[jlafunk]

I have a tip!

(For chocolate cakes)
If you don't have spray for your pans and you're going to butter & flour them- don't use flour. Use coco powder. This will keep the edges brown rather than them having spots of white flour.
(Sift the coco into the pan to get a good distribution and then knock it all around like you would to flour it).

Works really well and if you're doing a "naked" cake, it makes sure your layers are really beautiful.

[avalonyennefer]

Written instructions:

Instructions
In a saucepan on low heat add 250g unsalted butter, 250g dark chocolate, 180ml coffee (use part hot water if you must). Stir constantly until melted, if it looks like its separating thats normal. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl break up 4 large eggs. Whisk in 150ml buttermilk (or sour cream) and 3tbsp vege oil. Add the chocolate mixture slowly as you stir constantly. Add 430g caster sugar.Sieve in 150g of plain flour and self raising flour, 60g coco powder, 3/4tsp bicarb, big pinch of salt. Fold in. If it looks lumpy just gently whisk it, trying not to overstir.

Pour into three 8" tins. Level out the thick batter. Bake in 170C (fan forced) for 22 mins, make sure you test each cake. Let them cool for 5 mins ONLY before turning them out of the tins onto baking paper.

Gnache
100g butter and 200g chocolate (~50%). Because we want it thick straight away we melt the chocolate and butter first, then add the cream. Melt 30 seconds at a time till melted, stir in 100ml double cream. Leave to sit.

Buttercream
Whip 125g soft butter till very pale and fluffy. Add a pinch of salt. Combine and then beat in 225g icing sugar in two lots (so it doesn't get everywhere). Fold in 80g melted chocolate.

Construction
Use a bread knife to flatten the cakes totally. Stick down the first layer of cake to the board with a small blob of buttercream. Make sure the butter cream is soft (microwave it for a few seconds if needed), and add on each layer. For the last level of the of cake, flip it upside down before placing on the cake tower. Spread the gnache over the cake using a palette knife and a cake smoother.

[foridhayasmin]

32 years old and I've never baked in my life! I'm a pro at cooking but when it comes to baking I don't have the slightest idea! HOWEVER.... I said to myself I will bake my daughters first birthday cake and followed this specific chocolate cake recipe! I literally just took it out the oven in the last few minutes and OH.MY.GOODNESS 😍😍😍😍!!! It smells AMAZING. The crumbs taste AMAZING! You'd think I've baked before 🤣. It's 4am and I've just got into bed and now all I can think about is waking up in 2 hours to start on the decorating!!! Thank you much Sally and Jemma for this recipe! My baby girls first birthday cake lovingly baked by me all thanks to you guys! I cannot wait to bake more deliciousness ❤️❤️❤️

[iHeartPolarBears]

Just made this cake! I'm a baker and have tried countless recipes but THIS ONE HITS DIFFERENT. Its so chocolatey, rich, I used espresso roast coffee and it makes the batter taste divine

[anastasiavarlami]

Can we all just take a sec to appreciate Sally's egg cracking skills?
P.S. Love you all guys at C&D <3

[ellachen]

omg i made this yesterday and it was so successful and delicious, best chocolate cake recipe ever
i made buttermilk using milk and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and used half the amount of sugar and it still turned out quite sweet
tysm for this recipe! xx

[sunshineq]

Probably the most straight forward chocolate cake recipe I've come across. Can't wait to try it!

[RaniOsnat]

I made this yesterday and it came out wonderfully delicious! I went for the 3 layer 8 inch option and it’s still huge 😎
When I made the butter cream I felt it was way too sweet so next time I’d put less sugar. This time I added some double cream (50ml) and it did the job while keeping the cream spreadable.
If you do the three layer option keep in mind it will take 3-5 minutes longer in the oven.

[davidsalt]

I've not watched the most recent videos for a while, Sally has always been a good presenter but she is so slick and professional now.

[azzahranadira]

im a baking instructor and i have to tell you this is the best one ive make so far from youtube, ive tried other 2 chocolate cake from different youtube channel, and this chocolate cake is the one im gonna turn into belgium chocolate cake. the taste is just so chocolaty and moist. i baked it at 200C for around 28minutes. and for the tip, if you dont want your cake to have a dome, let them out while they are still hot and kinda press the dome and it will flattened after they cool down.

[suzannawambui]

I have been trying out your recipes and my small home has become a cake home. We enjoy these cakes so much. I'm definitely trying this recipe too. My love from Kenya.

[evalynjennings]

I've made this cake twice now and the only way I can discribe is its AMAZING! The first one I baked I kept all to myself lol and the second I shared with family and they all loved it too ! Thanks for the recipe its spot on xx

[filippobargero]

This channel just gets better and better over time! The recipes are amazing, everything is always so well explained with ingredients in grams and all... Great photography and editing, professional kitchens... And Sally is REALLY good at her job! Easily one of the best baking channels on yt, I watch every single video and tried many of your recipes!

[midunn]

I do quite a lot of baking and have to say, hands down this is the best chocolate cake recipe I have ever made. Dense, deep chocolate flavour, not over sweet, not dry, like so many chocolate cakes and the ganache is gorgeous. Without doubt this will be my go to chocolate cake from now on.

[harmonicjelyfish]

I've not baked a cake before, but I dived in with this! 2 layers had to be redone because they stuck to the tin and my first ganache split but 8 hours later it was finished and lovely :) very proud of it thank you for the guide

[susanlopez]

How many people are here because they made this cake for Valentine's Day?
It was far simpler than I had imagined. Lots of bowls but the cake was perfect, even from my dodgy oven. The ganache was great and the buttercream ethereal and I managed it all with a hand whisk and spatula!

[tmackie]

“YOU HAVE TO USE THE COFFEE, GUYS!”
😆 ☕️ I love Sally even more now :)

[aussieprincess]

100% agree on adding the coffee!! This is very similar to my recipe, I will have to make this with my boys.
It is so nice to see you more confident in front of the camera Sally, it’s fantastic watching you fill in for Jemma. I think you are a natural and I hope you will continue having your own videos once Jemma does come back.
To all the C&D family - Please look after yourselves and your families during this pandemic and the lockdown.
I will be thinking of you all xx 🥰 Dani from Australia 🇦🇺

[emmal]

Please can we have a video on working out how much frosting/icing needed to fill and cover cakes?

[dilleydoll]

I first watched this when it came out. I made it for my son’s 35th birthday. This year will be the third time. It’s the ONLY thing he wants!!❤