INGREDIENTS :
FOR THE CAKE :
3 ounces semi sweet baking chocolate (you can use chocolate chips)
1 1/2 cups brewed coffee
3 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
FOR THE CREAM FILLING :
5 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
FOR THE GANACHE :
1 12 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon butter
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE CAKE :
Chop chocolate so no pieces are larger than a chocolate chip. Place chocolate in a medium bowl or a 2 cup measuring cup and pour hot coffee over chocolate. Let sit for 5 minutes then stir, making sure all chocolate is melted and well combined with coffee. Set aside to cool.
Sift all dry ingredients together-sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In the a large mixing bowl (or the mixing bowl of your stand mixer) beat eggs on medium speed until frothy.
Slowly add oil, buttermilk, vanilla and chocolate-coffee mixture to eggs, beating well to blend.
Add in sugar/flour/cocoa mixture, one cup at a time, mixing just to combine after each addition.
Pour batter into 2 9 inch cake pans that have been well greased and lined with parchment paper on the bottom.
Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 45-50 minutes, using toothpick to test for doneness.
Let cakes cool completely in pan. Using a plastic knife, run knife around edges to loosen before turning out onto rack or plate.
FOR THE CREAM FILLING :
Pour cold milk into a small saucepan. Before turning on the heat, whisk in flour so no lumps remain. Turn heat on to medium low, and stirring, heat until mixture is thick, like a roux. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and let cool completely.
Cream together butter and sugar on medium high speed, until fluffy, about 8 minutes.
Add in the milk mixture and beat again until mixture resembles a whipped cream.
TO ASSEMBLE :
Place one layer of cake on an 8 inch cake circle, top side down. Cover with a thick layer of cream filling then place top layer of cake, top side down, on top of filling gently pressing down to secure layers. Place cake on a wire rack on top of a wax paper lined cookie sheet.
GANACHE :
Place chocolate chips in a large measuring cup.
Heat cream and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until boiling, careful not to scorch.
Pour heated cream over chocolate chips and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir chocolate to make sure completely melted and smooth.
Slowly pour ganache over top of cake, letting it drip down the sides. If needed use a spatula to help spread ganache on top over sides.
When ganache is set, cake can be transferred to a serving plate.
Chill cake for 4 hours before serving.
NOTES :
For cupcakes, bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes. Makes 48 cupcakes.
This cake tastes best chilled but can be served at room temperature.