This cake recipe began with an existing recipe I had. I have tweaked it, manipulated it, and have added to it……….until it was utter perfection.
Almost too much chocolate cake is a sour cream devils food cake with small pieces of chocolate in every bite. Chocolate buttercream is added as the filling and a semi-sweet chocolate ganache is poured over the top, as the frosting. Toasted almonds are added to the top for a nutty crunch.
In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mix, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into 2 well greased 8 inch pans
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool cake thoroughly in pan at least half an hour before putting on a cooling rack.
**This cake can be made gluten free using Pamela’s gluten free Chocolate cake mix.
Second, make the Chocolate buttercream
–This is just like the buttercream I used in THIS post with added coco.
Recipe
1 cup vegetable shortening
3-4 Tlb milk
½ cup unsweetened coco powder
½ tsp clear vanilla extract (buy it by the cake decorating supplies, wilton makes it)
12 ounces dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a small bowl on top of a double boiler, combine the corn syrup, chocolate and heavy cream. Let melt and combine while whisking often. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
Let the ganache cool for a few minutes.
Fifth, pour the ganache over the top of the cake letting it drip down the sides. Take a spatula and spread the ganache over the parts not covered.
Pipe buttercream stars on the rim of the top.
Add Almonds. Take raw sliced almonds and place them over medium heat in a sautee pan. Keep them moving by wiggling the pan until they get lightly golden. Remove from heat and alow to cool. Sprinkle them on top of your cake.
Ashley Johnston is a professional DIY costume maker, sewist, crafter, and owner of Make It & Love It. She is a mom of 5 and a wife to a very patient (with the craft clutter) husband. In case you’re wondering, she always chooses crafting/sewing/designing over mopping/dusting/wiping base boards……but bathrooms/laundry/full bellies are always attended to. Whew!
