Best 6 Smith Family 12 Layer Chocolate Cake Recipes

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Indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience with the Smith Family's legendary 12-Layer Chocolate Cake. This towering masterpiece is a symphony of rich, decadent chocolate flavors, sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Each layer of this magnificent cake is a journey through chocolate heaven, from the moist and fluffy chocolate cake base to the luscious chocolate ganache frosting. But the journey doesn't end there – the cake is further adorned with a cascade of chocolate chips, silky chocolate sauce, and a crown of whipped cream, making it a feast for the eyes as well. But this journey doesn't stop at the 12-Layer Chocolate Cake. The article also presents a tempting array of chocolate-inspired recipes that will satisfy any chocolate lover's cravings. From the classic Chocolate Chip Cookies, perfect for a quick and easy treat, to the elegant Chocolate Mousse, ideal for a special occasion, this article has something for every chocolate enthusiast. So, prepare to embark on a culinary adventure as you explore the diverse world of chocolate desserts, all in one comprehensive guide.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

12-LAYER CHOCOLATE CAKE



12-Layer Chocolate Cake image

Thin layers of buttery white cake sandwiched between ribbons of fudge: It's love at first bite.

Categories     gourmet dinner recipes     chocolate layer cake     12 layer cake     best chocolate cake recipes     best chocolate desserts     Fudge

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 17

Cake:
Butter, flour, and waxed paper, for coating the pans
3 stick unsalted butter
2 1/4 c. sugar
6 eggs
4 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
pinch salt
3 c. milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Icing:
3 c. sugar
1/2 c. high-quality cocoa powder
2 stick unsalted butter
1 can evaporated milk
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
Pecan halves

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter four 9-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with waxed paper, then butter the paper. Flour the pans.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter four 9-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with waxed paper, then butter the paper. Flour the pans.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. To the butter and egg mixture, gradually add the flour mixture and milk, alternating between them. Continue to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Once the flour and milk are incorporated, add the vanilla extract.
  • Add 1 cup of batter to each prepared pan and bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until light brown. Remove the layers from the pans and cool on a wire rack, placing the paper side down. Wash the pans. Butter and flour the pans again for the next batch of cakes. Repeat the process until 12 layers are baked.
  • When all the layers have cooled, make the icing. Combine the sugar, cocoa, butter, and evaporated milk in a large saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and cool 2 minutes until the icing is thin but spreadable. (This icing becomes thicker as it cools.) Add the vanilla extract.
  • Remove the waxed paper from each layer. Place one layer of cake on a wire rack and spread with icing. (For easier cleanup, assemble the cake over an edged sheet pan to collect runoff icing.) Add the next layer and ice it. Continue adding and icing layers, then pour remaining icing over the top. Icing that drips down can be used to cover the sides. Garnish with pecan halves, if desired.

CHOCOLATE LITTLE LAYER CAKE



Chocolate Little Layer Cake image

This recipe came to The New York Times in 2009 from Martha Meadows of somewhere between Slocomb and Hartford, Ala., where the worth of a cook can be measured in cake layers. In this corner of the country, everyone knows whose cakes are tender and whose consistently reach 12 thin layers or more. Ms. Meadows learned to bake 15-layer cakes from her mother, who cooked each layer one at a time in a cast-iron hoe-cake pan. The cake is frosted with warm boiled chocolate icing. Here is our tribute to that.

Provided by Martha Meadows

Categories     dessert

Time 2h30m

Yield One 12-layer cake

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 sticks butter, more to grease pans
2 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup shortening
5 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
5 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
5 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups milk
5 cups of sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1 stick butter, cut into pieces
1 15-ounce can evaporated milk
1/2 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease three 9-inch cake pans and line with rounds of parchment or waxed paper.
  • In a mixer, cream together butter, sugar and shortening until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time and continue to mix on medium until eggs are well incorporated. Stir in vanilla.
  • Sift flour, then add salt, baking soda and baking powder. Sift a second time. With mixer on low, alternately add flour mixture and milk in about 4 additions, then increase speed to medium. Beat until smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl.
  • Spread 3/4 cup batter in each pan. Bake 6 to 8 minutes, or until cake springs lightly when pressed with a finger. Flip cake out of pan onto paper towels or cake rack while still very warm. Repeat with second set of layers.
  • When first layers go into oven, start to make icing. Put sugar and cocoa in a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan and mix well. Turn heat to medium-high and add butter and milks, bringing to a boil. Boil for about 4 minutes, stirring continually, careful to watch that it does not boil over. Lower heat to simmer, add vanilla and stir occasionally for another 7 to 10 minutes. If using a candy thermometer, cook to the point just before soft ball stage or about 230 degrees.
  • Begin icing first layers, still warm, when second batch is in the oven. Flip layers over so that top side faces up. Use about 4 tablespoons of icing per layer. Icing will be thin but will firm up as it cools. Stack layers, then continue icing and stacking as layers are baked.
  • When all layers are iced and stacked, glaze top and sides of cake. Contours of layers will be visible through icing. If icing hardens too much while frosting cake, set back on low heat and stir until it is spreadable.

SMITH FAMILY'S 12-LAYER CAKE



Smith Family's 12-layer Cake image

I found this recipe in a old cookbook,the recipe was handed down from Art Smith's great-great grandmother.Art Smith is a chef and cookbook author.I have not made this cake yet,but looks impressive and tasty.

Provided by L D

Categories     Cakes

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 1/2 c all purpose flour,sifted
1 1/2 t.baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 1/2 c.(3 sticks) unsalted butter,rm temp
2 1/2 c sugar
6 large eggs,rm. temp
3 c milk
1 1/2 t. vanilla
3 c sugar
1/21/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder,preferably dutch process
1 c(sticks) unsalted butter,cut up
12 oz. can evaporated milk
1 t.vanilla
pecan halves,for garnish

Steps:

  • 1. Position racks in the center and bottom third of the oven and preheat to 375°. Lightly butter four 8 1/2- to 9-inch cake pans (you will bake the cakes in three batches) and line the bottoms with rounds of parchment paper. Flour the pans and tap out the excess. To make the layers, sift together the sifted flour, baking powder and salt. Sift the mixture one more time, and set aside. Beat the butter and sugar in the bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer fitted with the paddle blade on high speed until light in color and texture, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Scrape down the bowl and be sure the mixture is well-blended. On low speed, add the flour in 3 additions, alternating with 2 additions of the milk, beginning and ending with the flour, and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl often with a rubber spatula. Beat in the vanilla. Using a scant cup for each layer, spread the batter evenly in the pans. It will make a thin layer. Staggering the pans on the racks so they are at least 2 inches from each other and the sides of the oven and not directly over each other, bake the layers until they feel firm when pressed in the centers. about 12 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes. Invert the layers onto cake racks, remove the parchment paper, and cool completely. Wash and prepare the pans. Repeat the procedure until all 12 layers have been baked and cooled. To make the icing, bring the sugar, cocoa, butter and evaporated milk to a full boil in a large saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the icing has thickened slightly (it will resemble chocolate syrup but will thicken as it cools), about 3 minutes. Stir in the vanilla. Let the icing cool until thick enough to spread, but still pourable. Place a layer of cake on a wire rack set over a jelly-roll pan. Spread with a few tablespoons of the icing, letting the excess run down the sides. Stack the remaining cakes, icing each layer. Pour the remaining icing over the top of the cake. If you wish, smooth the icing on the edges to cover the sides. Place pecan halves around the top perimeter of the cake. Let stand until the glaze sets. (The cake is best served the day it is made. To store, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 day.) Recommended technique: If you buy inexpensive aluminum foil cake pans at the grocery store (they can be saved for another time as well), you will be able to knock out layers in no time. And no washing between baking!

THE SMITH FAMILY'S 12-LAYER CAKE



The Smith Family's 12-Layer Cake image

Make and share this The Smith Family's 12-Layer Cake recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Brookelynne26

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups sugar
6 large eggs, at room temperature
3 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process
1 cup unsalted butter, cut up
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
pecan halves, for garnish

Steps:

  • Position racks in the center and bottom third of the oven and preheat to 375°. Lightly butter four 8 1/2- to 9-inch cake pans (you will bake the cakes in three batches) and line the bottoms with rounds of parchment paper. Flour the pans and tap out the excess.
  • To make the layers, sift together the sifted flour, baking powder and salt. Sift the mixture one more time, and set aside.
  • Beat the butter and sugar in the bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer fitted with the paddle blade on high speed until light in color and texture, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Scrape down the bowl and be sure the mixture is well-blended. On low speed, add the flour in 3 additions, alternating with 2 additions of the milk, beginning and ending with the flour, and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl often with a rubber spatula. Beat in the vanilla. Using a scant cup for each layer, spread the batter evenly in the pans. It will make a thin layer.
  • Staggering the pans on the racks so they are at least 2 inches from each other and the sides of the oven and not directly over each other, bake the layers until they feel firm when pressed in the centers and are beginning to pull away from the sides of the pans, about 12 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes. Invert the layers onto cake racks, remove the parchment paper, and cool completely. Wash and prepare the pans. Repeat the procedure until all 12 layers have been baked and cooled.
  • To make the icing, bring the sugar, cocoa, butter and evaporated milk to a full boil in a large saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the icing has thickened slightly (it will resemble chocolate syrup but will thicken as it cools), about 3 minutes. Stir in the vanilla. Let the icing cool until thick enough to spread, but still pourable.
  • Place a layer of cake on a wire rack set over a jelly-roll pan. Spread with a few tablespoons of the icing, letting the excess run down the sides. Stack the remaining cakes, icing each layer. Pour the remaining icing over the top of the cake. If you wish, smooth the icing on the edges to cover the sides. Place pecan halves around the top perimeter of the cake. Let stand until the glaze sets. (The cake is best served the day it is made. To store, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 day.).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 743.5, Fat 34.6, SaturatedFat 21.1, Cholesterol 168.1, Sodium 146.9, Carbohydrate 101.7, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 69.2, Protein 9.8

SMITH FAMILY 12 LAYER CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE - (4/5)



Smith Family 12 Layer Chocolate Cake Recipe - (4/5) image

Provided by ccciii56

Number Of Ingredients 14

CAKE:
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
6 eggs
4 1/2 cups self rising flour
3 1/3 cups milk
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla
ICING:
3 cups sugar
6 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup unsalted butter
1 14 ounce can evaporated milk
1 tablespoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Step 1 Preheat Oven to 375¹ Step 2 Cream sugar, butter, and vegetable shortening until fluffy. Step 3 Add eggs one at a time, until well combined. Step 4 Add flour and milk alternatively to batter. Add vanilla. Stir well. Step 5 Oil and flour two nine inch cake pans. Spread one cup of the batter in each pan and bake 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned. When done, remove layers from pans and place on racks until cool. Wash cake pans after baking each layer, and continue preparing layers until all 12 are complete. When all layers are baked, prepare icing. Step 6 In a large saucepan, mix sugar and cocoa. Stir in butter and evaporated milk. Bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and cook about two Minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir well. Step 7 Place first layer of cake on a large platter. Spread icing generously over the top. Add another layer and cover with icing. Continue until all twelve layers are iced. (You may want to insert a few toothpicks into the layers to keep them from shifting during this stage. Just remember to remove them as you go!) Apply remaining icing to the sides and chill slightly before serving.

SMITH ISLAND CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER LAYER CAKE



Smith Island Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 2h10m

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

10 large chocolate peanut butter cups
Nonstick cooking spray
3 cups cake flour, plus more for pan
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
Chocolate Frosting, recipe follows
2/3 cup whole milk
3 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
Salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 sticks unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces and softened
8 ounce milk chocolate, melted and cooled
2 ounce unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

Steps:

  • Pulse 4 peanut butter cups in a food processor into small chunks; transfer to a bowl. Pulse the remaining 6 peanut butter cups into a fine powder; transfer to another bowl. Chill both until ready to use.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease four 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. Dust flour and knock out any excess. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Cut up the butter into 1-inch pieces and place them in the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or beaters. Beat on medium-high speed until the butter is light and creamy in color, about 3 minutes. Stop and scrape the bowl. Cream the butter for an additional minute. Add the granulated sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, beating 1 minute after each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally. Add the eggs one at a time. Reduce the mixer speed. Stir the vanilla into the buttermilk. Add the dry ingredients to the butter alternately with the buttermilk. Mix just until incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix for 15 seconds longer.
  • Divide half the batter between the prepared cake pans. Set the remaining batter aside. Using the back of a spoon, spread out the batter so that it covers the bottom of each pan, making it slightly thicker around the edges than in the middle. Bake until cooked through and golden around the edges, 12 to 14 minutes. Set aside to let cool slightly, then loosen the cake layers with a knife and invert onto cooling racks.
  • Wash and dry the cake pans. Repeat the process a second time with the cooking spray, flour and batter.
  • Once all 8 layers have baked, place the first layer on a serving plate. Spread with about 3 tablespoons Chocolate Frosting and sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon powdered peanut butter cups. Top with another cake layer and repeat the process to make 8 layers in all. Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining frosting and sprinkle the top with the peanut butter cup chunks.
  • In a large saucepot over medium-high heat, bring the milk to a simmer, and then remove from the heat.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yolks, flour, 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar and a pinch of salt. Add the hot milk in a stream, whisking. Return the mixture to the saucepot and bring to a boil over moderate heat. Whisk until very thick, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Cover the surface of the custard with a buttered round of wax paper and cool completely, about 45 minutes.
  • Using electric beater, add the vanilla and remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar to the custard. Beat at moderate speed until well combined. Then increase the speed to medium-high and beat in the butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, until smooth. Add the chocolates and beat until well combined.

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before starting, ensure all ingredients are measured and ready. This helps avoid scrambling during the baking process.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring butter, eggs, and buttermilk to room temperature before mixing. This helps them incorporate smoothly and creates a more consistent batter.
  • Properly Measure Flour: Use a kitchen scale to accurately measure flour. Scooping flour directly from the bag can result in too much flour, leading to a dry cake.
  • Do Not Overmix: Avoid overmixing the batter once you add the dry ingredients. Overmixing can result in a tough, dense cake.
  • Leveling the Cake Layers: After baking, use a serrated knife to level the tops of the cake layers. This ensures even layering and a more professional look.
  • Chilling the Cake: Before frosting, chill the cake layers for at least 30 minutes. This helps the frosting set better and prevents it from becoming too soft.
  • Use a Crumb Coat: Before applying the final layer of frosting, apply a thin crumb coat. This helps trap any stray crumbs and creates a smoother surface for the final frosting layer.
  • Decorate with Fresh Fruits: Top the frosted cake with fresh fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for a vibrant and delicious finishing touch.

Conclusion:

The Smith Family's 12-Layer Chocolate Cake is a decadent and impressive dessert that is perfect for special occasions or potlucks. With its rich chocolate flavor, fluffy layers, and creamy frosting, this cake is sure to be a hit. By following the tips and carefully executing each step of the recipe, you can create a stunning and delicious cake that will wow your friends and family. Remember to enjoy the process and take pride in your culinary creation!

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