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Decadent chocolate layer cake with rich frosting and glossy ganache, perfect for special occasions.

Chocolate Mousse Cake

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiling for a photo indoors.Dori Rose
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Chilling time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 810 kcal

Ingredients
  

For The Cake:

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water

For The Mousse:

  • 1/2 cup hot water
  • 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

For The Ganache:

  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  • In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in hot water (batter will be thin). Pour into prepared pans.
    Eggs being added to a bowl of dry cake mix for baking, with cracked eggshells in a small dish nearby.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  • For the mousse, mix hot water and cocoa powder until smooth. In a separate bowl, melt chocolate chips using the double boiler method and let cool slightly. In a separate bowl, whip cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in the melted chocolate until no streaks remain.
    Silky vanilla and chocolate mousse mixed in glass bowl for dessert.
  • For the ganache, heat milk, cocoa powder, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat and gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
    Creme de cacao being mixed with powdered sugar in a white mixing bowl.
  • To assemble, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread half of the mousse over the cake. Top with the second cake layer and spread the remaining mousse on top. Pour ganache over the mousse, allowing it to drip down the sides. Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.
    Rich chocolate frosting being spread on a layered cake, a spoon pouring warm chocolate ganache.

Nutrition

Calories: 810kcalCarbohydrates: 106gProtein: 8gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 22gSodium: 437mgFiber: 5g
Keyword chocolate, chocolate mousse cake
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