Best 20 Chocolate Buttercream Cake Recipes

YELLOW CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl and set aside.
• In an electric mixer, mix the butter and granulated sugar on high speed until fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix for a few more seconds. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla and mix to combine. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk in 3 batches, mixing for a few seconds after each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl, then mix 1 final time.
• Divide the batter between the prepared cake pans and bake until done (a wooden skewer inserted in the cake should come out completely clean), 28 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then turn out to cool completely.
• For the buttercream frosting: Sift the powdered sugar and cocoa together in a large bowl and set aside.
• In an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter until smooth, about 2 minutes. Turn off the mixer and add half of the sugar/cocoa mixture. Turn to low speed and mix to combine. Add the rest of the mixture and mix again. Add the cream, vanilla and salt, scrape the sides and beat until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Thin out with a tablespoon of cream at a time if needed.
• Ice the cake with a generous layer in the center and spread all around the sides. WARNING: MUST BE SERVED WITH A GLASS OF COLD MILK!

DOUBLE FUDGE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 12 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars on high speed until light, approximately 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, and the vanilla and mix well. Combine the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. On low speed, add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture alternately in thirds, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix the batter only until blended.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the center of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool to room temperature before frosting.
• Place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the chips are completely melted. Off the heat, add the corn syrup and vanilla and allow the chocolate mixture to cool to room temperature. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the chocolate mixture and softened butter on medium speed for a few minutes, until it's thickened.
• Spread the frosting evenly on the cake. Have the children decorate the cake with M&M's.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM CAKE (INA GARTEN)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F Butter two 8-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper, butter the paper, and dust the pans with flour, knocking out any excess. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars on high speed until light, approximately 5 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Combine the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. On low speed, add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture alternately in thirds, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix the batter only until blended.
• Divide the batter between the two pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes on a rack, remove from the pans, and allow to finish cooling.
• To make the frosting, chop the chocolates and melt in a bowl over simmering water until smooth. Allow to cool.
• Mix the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk. Heat the egg whites in the bowl over simmering water until they are warm to the touch, about 5 minutes. Whisk on high speed for 5 minutes or until the meringue is cool and holds a stiff peak.
• Add the butter, 1 tablespoons at a time, while beating on medium speed. Scrape down the bowl, add the chocolate, vanilla, and espresso and mix for 1 minute or until the chocolate is completely blended inches If the buttercream seems very soft, allow it to cool and beat it again.
• To frost the cake, place one cake layer on a serving plate, flat side up. Frost the top of that layer with buttercream. Place the second layer on top, also flat side up and frost the top and sides.

HAZELNUT CAKE WITH PRALINE AND MILK CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-3-inch round cake pan with vegetable spray. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone baking mat; set aside.
• Make the sponge cake: Grind the hazelnuts in a food processor with 1/4 cup sugar. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, and hazelnut mixture; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the whole eggs, the yolks, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, salt, and almond extract on high speed until thick and pale yellow in color, and mixture holds a thick ribbon when whisk is lifted from bowl, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove bowl from mixer; gently and quickly fold in flour mixture. Gradually drizzle in oil, while folding.
• Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Set on prepared baking sheet, and bake until a tester comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and turn cake out immediately onto a wire rack. Let cool for at least 1 hour.
• Make the buttercream: In the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over (but not touching) simmering water, whisk egg whites, sugar, and salt until warm to the touch, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer bowl to mixer fitted with whisk attachment and beat until stiff peaks form. With the mixer running, gradually beat in butter, piece by piece. When all the butter has been added, mixture will break but it will become smooth as you continue to beat. Beat in vanilla. Divide buttercream in half, returning one half to the mixer bowl to make the chocolate flavor and setting aside the remaining half for the praline buttercream.
• Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water. Slowly beat into buttercream in mixer. Add cocoa mixture and beat until buttercream is cooled; set aside.
• Using a small offset spatula, spread praline paste onto a clean work surface. Smooth paste with a spatula, working out any lumps. Add 1/2 cup reserved buttercream to praline paste and fold it into buttercream. Once the paste and buttercream are fully combined and there are no lumps, fold praline mixture into remaining reserved buttercream.
• Using a serrated knife, trim top of cake to make level. Cut cake horizontally into even thirds. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate or lazy Susan. Place the first layer on the cake plate and top with a 1/3- to 1/2-inch layer of praline buttercream. Place second layer on top; top with remaining praline buttercream. Top with remaining layer.
• Spread a thin layer of the chocolate buttercream over the tops and sides of the cake to cover, creating a "crumb" layer. Transfer to refrigerator for 15 minutes to set. Spread tops and sides of cake with remaining chocolate buttercream; serve.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH AMERICAN BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
• In a big bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the coffee, cocoa powder, and 1/2 cup water and heat it for a minute, stirring constantly. Pour the melted butter mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until well combined.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add it to the batter and mix until smooth.
• Divide the batter between the two cake pans, scraping all the batter from the bowl with a rubber spatula. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes in the pans and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Frost with buttercream frosting
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine all the ingredients. Whip the mixture on low speed for a while. When the sugar is incorporated, turn the mixer speed up and whip until the buttercream is smooth and looks right to you. If it's too cold, persuade it with a blowtorch if you have one. If it's too wet, add a bit more powdered sugar. If it's too stiff, add a bit more butter. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl once or twice to make sure everything is combined.
• Use immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for 24 hours or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Rewhip cold buttercream before using it.
• Variation: The water/coffee combo in this recipe can be switched up, but remember, coffee is to chocolate like salt is to beef. Coffee brings out the flavor of chocolate without making it taste like coffee, just as salt brings out the flavor of meat without making it taste salty. The liquid you use can be all water, or it can be a full cup of coffee for more of a mocha-flavored cake. And if you're feeling really bold, go ahead and use a cup of a dark stout beer instead. Get creative and experiment a little - after all, it is a science project.

CHOCOLATE SHEET CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Line bottom with parchment; butter parchment. Stir together boiling water, cocoa, and chocolate; let cool 10 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.
• Beat butter with sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla, then chocolate mixture. Reduce speed to low; beat in flour mixture in two batches, alternating with sour cream, until just combined. Scrape batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with an offset spatula.
• Bake until a tester inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 35 to 40 minutes (top will not spring back). Let cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack and remove parchment; let cool completely. Cake can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored at room temperature, wrapped in plastic.
• Spread buttercream evenly over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with chocolate curls. (Leftovers can be refrigerated, wrapped in plastic, up to 3 days; return to room temperature before serving.)

DARK CHOCOLATE WEDDING CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ORANGE GANACHE AND ORANGE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preparing The Cake:
• Make cake layers:
• Preheat oven to 350° F. and line 2 buttered 7- by 2-inch round cake pans and 2 buttered 9- by 2-inch round cake pans with rounds of wax paper. Butter paper and dust pans with flour, knocking out excess.
• Put cocoa powder in a bowl and whisk in boiling water in a stream until smooth. Stir in chopped chocolate and let stand 5 minutes. Stir mixture until smooth and chocolate is melted and cool mixture. Whisk in sour cream and vanilla.
• Into a bowl sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. In large bowl of a standing electric mixer beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy and add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down side of bowl. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and cocoa mixture alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating until batter is combined well.
• Pour 2 cups batter into each 7-inch pan and smooth tops. Divide remaining batter between 9-inch pans (about 33/4 cups each) and smooth tops. In middle and lower thirds of oven arrange one 9-inch layer and one 7-inch layer on each rack, putting 7-inch layers in front part of oven. Bake 7-inch layers 25 to 30 minutes and 9-inch layers 35 to 40 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering. Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert cakes onto racks. Peel off paper and cool cakes completely. Cake layers may be made 2 days ahead and kept at cool room temperature, wrapped well in plastic wrap, or 2 weeks ahead and frozen, wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil. Defrost cake layers (without unwrapping) at room temperature.
• Make ganache:
• In a small saucepan bring cream just to a boil. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate, butter, zest, and liqueur. Let ganache stand 3 minutes and whisk until chocolate is melted. Chill ganache just until cool, about 40 minutes.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat ganache just until light and fluffy before using (do not overbeat or it will become grainy).
• Assemble cake:
• Put one 9-inch layer on 8-inch cardboard round and spread evenly with 2 cups ganache. Top with remaining 9-inch layer and gently press layers together to form an even tier. Put one 7-inch layer on 6-inch cardboard round and top with remaining ganache and remaining 7-inch layer in same manner.
• Frost top and sides of 9-inch tier with some buttercream and chill while frosting 7-inch tier. Chill both tiers until buttercream is firm.
• Cut straws in half and insert 1 straw piece all the way into center of 9-inch tier. Trim straw flush with top of tier and insert remaining 5 straw pieces in same manner in a circle about 1 1/2 inches from center straw. Center 7-inch tier (still on cardboard) on top of 9-inch tier. Fill in any gaps between tiers with buttercream and transfer cake to a cake stand or platter. Chill cake at least 6 hours and up to 1 day.
• Arrange fraises des bois and roses decoratively on top and around sides of cake. Let cake stand at cool room temperature (buttercream is sensitive to warm temperatures) 2 to 4 hours before serving. Serves about 30 (including top tier).
• Preparing The Orange Buttercream:
• Make orange curd:
• In a small heavy saucepan whisk together yolks and sugar and whisk in orange juice, butter, and a pinch salt. Cook mixture over moderately low heat, whisking, until it just reaches boiling point, 5 to 7 minutes (do not let boil), and strain through a fine sieve into a bowl. Whisk in lemon juice and cool curd, its surface covered with plastic wrap. Chill orange curd, covered, until cold, at least 4 hours, and up to 2 days.
• Make buttercream:
• In a heavy saucepan bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil syrup, undisturbed, until it registers 248° F. on a candy thermometer. While syrup is boiling, in large bowl of a standing electric mixer beat whites with a pinch salt until foamy and beat in cream of tartar. Beat whites until they just hold stiff peaks and beat in hot syrup in a stream (try to avoid beaters and side of bowl). Beat mixture at medium speed until completely cool, 15 to 20 minutes. Beat in butter, 1 piece at a time, and beat until thickened and smooth. (Buttercream will at first appear very thin and at some point look like it is breaking but, as more butter is beaten in, it will thicken and become glossy and smooth.) Beat in orange curd, salt, and zest until smooth. Buttercream may be made 4 days ahead and chilled in an airtight container or 2 weeks ahead and frozen in an airtight container. Bring buttercream completely to room temperature (this may take several hours if frozen) and beat before using. (If buttercream is too cold when beaten it will not be glossy and smooth.) Makes about 8 cups.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 12 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.
• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars on high speed until light, approximately 5 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Combine the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. On low speed, add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture alternately in thirds, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix the batter only until blended.
• Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan, smooth the top with a spatula, and bake in the center of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool to room temperature before frosting.
• 2 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup water
• 6 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 1/4 pounds (5 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons Triple Sec or other orange liqueur
• 1 tablespoon orange food coloring
• Combine the sugar with 2/3 cup water in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan and, without stirring, bring to a boil. Cover the saucepan and allow the mixture to boil until the sugar dissolves. Uncover and continue boiling until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Pour the syrup into a heat-proof measuring cup.
• Place the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on high speed until the eggs form stiff peaks. With the mixer on high speed, slowly pour the syrup into the egg whites. Continue beating on high speed until the mixture is absolutely at room temperature, about 10 to 15 minutes.
• With the mixer on medium speed, add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, and then add the vanilla and liqueur. (If the mixture becomes runny, the meringue was too warm and the butter melted. Chill slightly and beat again.) Add the food coloring and combine.
• Yield: 6 cups

LAYERED YELLOW CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour two 9-in. round baking pans. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. , For buttercream, in a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and cocoa until smooth. Add vanilla and salt. Add milk; beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes., Spread buttercream between layers and over top and sides of cake.

ORANGE CHOCOLATE MARBLE CAKE WITH ORANGE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Grease and flour two 9 inch layer pans.
• Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer.
• Blend in orange rind and eggs.
• Sift flour, salt and powder together and add alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
• Pour about 2/3 of batter into prepared pans.
• Combine melted chocolate, baking soda and water and blend into remaining cake batter.
• Spoon chocolate batter here and there over orange batter and cut through with spatula or knife to make a marbled effect.
• Bake at 350* for 30 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
• Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely on racks.
• Fill and frost with Orange Buttercream Frosting.
• Decorate with mandarin oranges.
• Orange Buttercream Frosting: Blend butter and egg yolk at low speed in a large bowl.
• Gradually beat in sugar alternately with orange juice.
• Beat in orange rind.

CHOCOLATE MOCHA CAKE WITH RASPBERRY BUTTERCREAM FILLING & CHOCOLATE FLUFF FROSTING RECIPE - (4.4/5)

Steps:

• CAKE: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter, or spray with non-stick baking spray, 2 8x2-inch round cake pans (I used three cake pans). Line the bottoms with parchment paper, grease the paper, and then flour the pans (gently tap out any excess flour) or spray with non-stick spray Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, & salt in a large bowl or in bowl of stand mixer. Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil, & vanilla. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. (Batter will be thin.) Bake for approximately 25 minutes (approx) or until toothpick comes out clean. If using three pans, check the baking time at about 15 to 20 minutes. NOTE: The first time I bake a new cake recipe, I always check my cakes at 5 minutes less than the recommended baking time, just to be sure I don't overbake the cake. A toothpick inserted, should come out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for about 20 minutes before releasing them onto cooling racks; remove the parchment paper. Cool completely before adding the filling and frosting. RASPBERRY FILLING (can be made a day in advance; just cover it well and to keep it refrigerated): In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with paddle attachment (or any large mixing bowl, if using hand-held beaters), beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy (about 3 to 5 minutes). Add the raspberry jam and beat to combine. Turn the mixer down to low speed, and add the confectioners' sugar. Beat until smooth. Cover and set aside until ready to use. Note: The frosting is very smooth and not super thick. FROSTING: In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with paddle attachment (or any large mixing bowl, if using hand-held beaters), beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy (about 3 to 5 minutes). Easy way to melt chocolate: microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes, stir and set aside. Add the melted, cooled chocolate and beat until well combined and fluffy. On medium-speed, add the marshmallow cream, almond extract, and confectioners' sugar. Once everything is combined, increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the smooth and fluffy. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes. [Note: The frosting can also be made a day in advance, just be sure to keep it well covered and chilled until ready to use.] ASSEMBLE THE CAKE: If the cakes have domed tops, use a serrated knife to gently slice off a thin layer...just enough to give them an even surface. If the layers are pretty even, I simply set each layer, with the bottom side "up" and frost it from there. If the raspberry cream filling has been in the refrigerator, give it a good stir to soften it up a bit. (If it's too stiff, leave it covered at room temperature until spreadable.) Spread the raspberry cream over one of the cake layer. Place the other layer on top of the filling. Frost the rest of the cake (top and sides) with the chocolate buttercream. Serve the cake at room temperature. This cake is rich, so smaller slices will go a long way.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Make cake layers:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 2 (9- by 2-inch) round cake pans and line bottom of each with a round of wax paper. Butter paper and dust pans with flour, knocking out excess.
• Whisk together hot water and cocoa powder in a bowl until smooth, then whisk in milk and vanilla.
• Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.
• Beat together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to low and add flour and cocoa mixtures alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture (batter may look curdled).
• Divide batter between cake pans, smoothing tops. Bake until a wooden pick or skewer comes out clean and edges of cake begin to pull away from sides of pans, 25 to 35 minutes total. Cool layers in pans on racks 10 minutes, then invert onto racks, removing wax paper, and cool completely.
• Assemble cake:
• Put 1 cake layer, rounded side up, on a cake stand or platter and, using offset spatula, spread top with about 1 cup buttercream. Top with remaining cake layer, rounded side down, and frost side and top of cake with 2 cups buttercream.
• Decorate cake:
• For each color (you can make up to 5), transfer 3 tablespoons buttercream to a separate small bowl and tint with food coloring. Snip off 1 corner of each plastic bag to create a 1/4-inch opening, then spoon each color of buttercream into a bag, pressing out excess air. Twist each bag firmly just above buttercream, then decoratively pipe colored buttercream onto cake. Chill cake until buttercream is set, about 30 minutes.
• Just before serving, arrange 6 to 8 mini cupcakes on top of cake in 1 layer, then stack remaining mini cupcakes on top.
• *Wilton Paste Food Coloring available at wilton.com.

SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM FOR CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT CAKE

Steps:

• In the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over a saucepan of simmering water, combine the egg whites and sugar. Cook, whisking constantly, until sugar has dissolved and the mixture is warm to the touch (about 160 degrees).
• Attach bowl to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat the egg-white mixture on high speed until it holds stiff (but not dry) peaks. Continue beating until the mixture is fluffy and cooled, about 15 minutes.
• Switch to the paddle attachment. With the mixer on medium-low speed, add the butter several tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. (If the frosting appears to separate after all the butter has been added, beat on medium-high speed until smooth again, 3 to 5 minutes more.) Beat in vanilla. Beat on lowest speed to eliminate any air bubbles, about 2 minutes. Stir with a rubber spatula until frosting is smooth.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH RASPBERRY BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9-by-2-inch round cake pans; dust the pans with flour, and knock out excess.
• In a large measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, coffee, vanilla and 1 1/2 cups water. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix on low speed. Mix in the butter and eggs, and then slowly add the buttermilk mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake until the cake layers begin to pull away from sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes.
• For the Swiss meringue buttercream: Add the sugar and egg whites to a heatproof stand mixer bowl, and set over a pan of simmering water. Whisking constantly, heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture registers 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Transfer the bowl to the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat on medium-high speed until fluffy and cooled, about 10 minutes. Continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form. Reduce the speed to medium-low and add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla. (Makes 7 cups. See Cook's Note.)
• For the raspberry buttercream: In a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat 800 grams of the Swiss meringue buttercream together with the raspberry puree until fully incorporated. (Makes 4 cups.)
• To assemble: Level and tort both cakes--you will end up with 4 layers of cake. Place one cake layer on a serving platter; add about a 1/2-inch layer of the raspberry buttercream. Repeat until you have 4 stacked layers of cake and 3 layers of filling. Frost the cake with the remaining Swiss meringue buttercream.

MOCHA BUTTERCREAM CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CAKE

Steps:

• FOR CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CAKE:.
• Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease and line two 9-inch-round baking pans with wax paper.
• Microwave small chocolate pieces in small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 45 seconds, stir.
• If pieces retain some of their original shape, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
• Beat brown sugar, butter, eggs, instant coffee and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl for 3 minutes.
• Gradually add melted chocolate and continue beating for an additional minute.
• Beat flour mixture into creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk.
• Pour into prepared pans.
• Bake for 33 to 38 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Run knife around edges of cakes.
• Invert onto wire racks; remove wax paper. Cool completely.
• Brush cakes with Coffee Glaze over cake layers.
• Spread Mocha Buttercream Frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake.
• FOR COFFEE GLAZE:.
• Microwave granulated sugar, water and instant coffee in small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 30 seconds.
• Stir until sugar and coffee are dissolved.
• FOR MOCHA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:.
• Microwave small chocolate pieces in small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 45 seconds; STIR.
• If pieces retain some of their original shape, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Dissolve instant coffee in milk in glass measure.
• Beat butter, vanilla extract and salt in large mixer bowl for 3 minutes.
• Beat in melted chocolate until blended, scraping occasionally.
• Gradually beat in powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in coffee mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired spreading consistency.

VANILLA BEAN BUTTERCREAM, VANILLA BEAN WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE AND VANILLA SYRUP FOR WEDDING CAKE

Steps:

• For the buttercream: Combine the sugar and egg whites in a double boiler and heat to 120 degrees F.
• Transfer the egg white mixture to a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Add the lemon juice and salt and beat on high speed until completely cooled, about 15 minutes. Add the butter piece by piece and whip until light fluffy, about 10 minutes. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a round tip and reserve the rest.
• For the vanilla bean white chocolate mousse: Whip the egg yolks on high speed in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until light and foamy, 3 to 4 minutes. Heat the sugar, vanilla bean paste and water to 120 degrees C in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add the sugar syrup to the whipping yolks and beat until cool, about 15 minutes. Once cooled, fold in the whipped cream.
• Melt the white chocolate over a double boiler until 110 degrees F., about 10 minutes. Add the melted chocolate to the egg and cream mixture and fold to combine. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a round tip and reserve the rest.
• For the vanilla syrup: Combine the vanilla bean paste, sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar is dissolved. Cool completely.
• To assemble the cake: Split the cake rounds in half to make 4 layers. Brush the top of each with 3 tablespoons of the vanilla syrup. Place 1 round on desired platter and pipe the buttercream around the top edge of the cake to create a dam. Fill the dam with a layer of the white chocolate mousse. Top with a second cake round and repeat piping and filling with the remaining layers, leaving the top undecorated. Place the stack in the freezer until firm, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Remove from the freezer and lightly frost the whole cake with some of the buttercream. Place the cake back in the freezer to firm up, another 30 minutes to 1 hour. Frost and decorate the cake as desired with the remaining buttercream and mousse.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust the pans with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk 3 cups flour, the baking powder and salt in a bowl until combined. Beat 2 sticks butter and the sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to medium; beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. (The mixture may look separated at this point.)
• Mix 1/2 cup water with the cream in a liquid measuring cup or bowl. Beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the cream mixture, beginning and ending with flour, until just smooth.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes are lightly golden on top and the centers spring back when pressed, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pans and turn the cakes out onto the racks to cool completely. Remove the parchment. Trim the tops of the cakes with a long serrated knife to make them level, if desired.

WHITE CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH APRICOT FILLING AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Butter two 9-inch parchment paper rounds and place in pans, buttered side up. Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler set over barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Leave white chocolate in pot; turn off heat. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk in 3 additions, blending well after each addition. Add warm white chocolate and beat just until blended.
• Divide batter equally between pans, smoothing tops with spatula. Bake cakes until tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 20 minutes (cakes will fall). Run small sharp knife around cake pan sides. Turn cakes out onto cardboard round or tart pan bottom; peel off parchment. Turn cakes right side up onto racks and cool completely.
• For buttercream:
• Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler over barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove white chocolate from over water. Let stand until cool but not set, about 20 minutes. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in white chocolate and vanilla, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in powdered sugar. Cover and refrigerate until thick enough to spread, about 45 minutes (frosting will be very soft).
• For assembly:
• Boil 1/2 cup water and sugar in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cool syrup.
• Using serrated knife, cut each cake layer horizontally in half. Place 1 layer, cut side up, on 9-inch cardboard cake round or removable bottom of 9-inch tart pan and brush with 2 tablespoons sugar syrup. Spread 6 tablespoons buttercream over cake. Cover buttercream with single layer of sliced apricots. Spread 3 tablespoons buttercream over apricots; top with second cake layer, cut side up. Brush with 2 tablespoons sugar syrup, 6 tablespoons buttercream, apricots, and 3 tablespoons buttercream. Top with third cake layer, cut side up. Brush with 2 tablespoons syrup. Spread 6 tablespoons buttercream over cake; cover with apricots. Spread 3 tablespoons buttercream over apricots. Top with fourth layer, cut side down. Spread 1 cup buttercream over top and sides of cake (layer will be thin). Chill 1 hour. Spread remaining buttercream over top and sides of cake. Press chopped walnuts onto sides of cake. Cover top with remaining sliced apricots. Brush apricots with apricot preserves. Chill cake 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and keep chilled. Let stand 3 hours at room temperature before serving.)

CHOCOLATE MERINGUE CAKE WITH COFFEE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place hazelnuts on a baking sheet; toast until fragrant, about 10 minutes. Transfer nuts to a kitchen towel; rub off loosened papery skins. Let stand until cool. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, pulse nuts until they are the texture of coarse cornmeal; set aside.
• Place a layer of chocolate meringue on a 10-inch cardboard cake round, and coat with a 1/2-inch-thick layer (1 cup) ganache. Top with second layer and spread 1 1/2 cups buttercream in an even layer over meringue. Top with third layer and coat with the remaining cup of ganache. Top with final layer, placing it upside-down so the flat side is on top, and coat with about 2 cups buttercream. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Coat the top and sides of cake with about 3 cups buttercream in an even layer. Cover top and sides of cake with hazelnuts. Use remaining buttercream to decorate, as desired. Reserve any remaining buttercream for another use.

RED WINE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch cake pan.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Combine the butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the red wine, beginning and ending with the flour, mixing until just incorporated.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Bake until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool completely on a rack.
• For the buttercream: Place the butter in a large bowl and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar in 3 batches, beating until each batch is incorporated. After adding the last batch, continue to beat until very smooth and lightened, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and 1 tablespoon of the half-and-half and beat until incorporated. Add more half-and-half as needed to make the icing a smooth, spreadable consistency. Keep at room temperature until ready to use.
• Spoon the buttercream onto the cake and smooth with an offset spatula. Cut the cake into squares and serve.

TIERED CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter 1 (4 by 3-inch) cake pan, 1 (6 by 3-inch) cake pan and 1 (8 by 3-inch) cake pan. Line the bottoms with parchment paper, and butter and flour the pans.
• Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars on high speed until light, approximately 5 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Combine the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. On low speed, add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture alternately in thirds, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix the batter only until blended.
• Divide the batter between the 3 pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake on the middle rack of the oven as follows: for the 4-inch pan 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean; for the 6-inch pan 70 to 75 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean; and for the 8-inch pan 85 to 90 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes each on a cooling rack, carefully remove from the pans and allow to finish cooling.
• Place the 8-inch cake on a serving plate, flat side up. Frost the top of that layer with buttercream. Place the 6-inch cake in the center of the top of the 8-inch cake, flat-side up, and frost the top and sides. Place the 4-inch cake in the center of the top of the 6-inch cake, flat side down. Frost the top and sides of that layer with buttercream. Spread any remaining buttercream over the cake evenly.
• Chop the chocolates and place them in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan simmering water. Stir until melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.
• Mix the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Place the bowl of egg whites over the pan of simmering water and heat the egg whites until they are warm to the touch, about 5 minutes. Return the bowl to the electric mixer and whisk on high speed for 5 minutes, or until the meringue is cool and holds a stiff peak.
• Add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, while beating on medium speed. Scrape down the bowl, add the melted chocolate, vanilla, espresso, and rum, if using, and mix for 1 minute or until the chocolate is completely blended in. If the buttercream seems very soft, allow it to cool, and beat it again.