Best Chocolate Cake

October 21, 2009 by Firehouse Chef  
Filed under Baked, Baking, Buffet, Dessert, Easy, Easy Baking Recipes, Snack

bing Best Chocolate Cake - This super succulent, three layer, chocolate cake recipe is the “BEST”. Made secretly simple by starting with devils food cake mix, we tossed in some chocolate chips, for more decadence. Oven baked in only 25 minutes, this old fashioned cake is delicious!

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Servings: 6-8
Main Ingredient: Devils Food Cake Mix
Difficulty Level: 2

Ingredients to make Best Chocolate Cake

1 box devil’s food cake mix (1 pound 2.25 ounces)
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
2 12-ounce packages semisweet chocolate chips (4 cups)

1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups powdered sugar

Directions to make Best Chocolate Cake

Step 1:Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter three 8-inch-diameter nonstick cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Place devil\’s food cake mix, 1 cup water, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract and 1/4 cup sour cream in large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat batter 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips.
Step 2:Divide batter among prepared pans (about 1 3/4 cups batter for each). Bake until tester inserted into center of cake layers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cake layers in pans on racks 15 minutes. Run small sharp knife between pan sides and cake layers to loosen. Turn out onto racks; cool completely. Bring 1/2 cup raspberry jam and 3 tablespoons unsalted butter to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. Remove from heat. Add remaining 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips and stir until melted. Add remaining 3/4 cup sour cream and 2 cups powdered sugar. Using electric mixer, beat frosting in pan until smooth and thick, about 2 minutes.
Step 3:Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 3/4 cup frosting over. Top with second cake layer. Spread 3/4 cup frosting over. Top with third cake layer. Chill cake until frosting sets slightly, about 15 minutes. Spread remaining frosting in swirls over top and sides of cake. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and let stand at room temperature.)

Image Source: Charles Haynes

Red Christmas Cupcakes

Red Christmas Cupcakes - This “one of a kind” Christmas dessert recipe, is not only divinely, distinct, it tastes even better than it presents! A variation of the red velvet cake, these irresistable little cupcakes even come with a fabulous cream cheese icing, recipe included, that give the red and white colors, making them perfect for the buffet or brunch table for the holidays.A quick, easy recipes that oven bakes in only 30 Minutes!


 

How To Make Red Christmas Cupcakes Video

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Low Fat Carrot Pineapple Cake

car_cake Low Fat Carrot Pineapple Cake - This quick, easy, low fat, cake recipe is absolutely divine, and did we mention sugar free? A guilt free, delicious dessert, that everyone loves, and asks for again and agian. Oven baked to a warm, golden, deliciousness, without a doubt, this is a must try.Prep Time: 15-20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Servings: 8
Main Ingredient: Carrot, Pineapple
Difficulty Level: 2

Ingredients to make Low Fat Carrot Pineapple Cake

1/2 c Low Fat margarine,softened
3 Eggs** For low fat use egg substitute
1 c Thawed frozen unsweetened pineapple juice concentrate
2 ts Vanilla
2 1/2 c All-purpose flour
2 ts Baking powder
1 ts Baking soda
1 ts Ground nutmeg
1 ts Ground cinnamon
1/4 ts Salt
3 c Shredded carrots

ICING
8 oz Cream cheese, softened
1 cn (8 oz) crushed pineapple in unsweetened juice,drained
1 ts Vanilla

Directions to make Low Fat Carrot Pineapple Cake

Step 1:Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat butter in large bowl until creamy. Blend in eggs, pineapple juice concentrate and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt. Gradually add to egg mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in carrots.
Step 2:Spread batter evenly into greased 12 x 8 inch baking dish. Bake 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.
Step 3:Prepare Icing by combining all ingredients. Spread over cooled cake.

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Chocolate Cheesecake with Amaretto-Amaretti

chocolate_cheesecake_amaretto_amaretti Chocolate Cheesecake with Amaretto-Amaretti - Cheesecake has always been a popular dessert, and we tried to make this one really stand out. Featuring chocolate,amaretto and amaretti, they don’t get much sweeter than this. It really is quite a distinctive flavor we know you will adore this easy baking recipe.Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Main Ingredient: Chocolate, Cheesecake
Difficulty Level: 3

Ingredients to make Chocolate Cheesecake with Amaretto-Amaretti

CRUST:
7 oz Amaretti (see note)
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 oz unsweetened chocolate,1 sqare
5 Tbsp sweet butter

FILLING
6 oz semisweet chocolate
7 oz Amaretti
4 oz almond paste
1/3 cup Amaretto liqueur
1 1/2 lb cream cheese
1/4 cup granulated sugar at room temperature
4 eggs (large or extra-large)
1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions to make Chocolate Cheesecake with Amaretto-Amaretti

Step 1:(CRUST) Butter the sides only (not the bottom) of a 9-inch spring-form pan (2 1/2-3 inches deep). Grind the Amaretti very fine in a food processor or blender. Mix with sugar in a mixing bowl. Melt the chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler, stirring occasionally. Add the melted mixture to the Amaretti crumbs and sugar and mix thoroughly. (Don’t wash the double boiler; you’ll be using it again in a minute.) Turn the mixture into the prepared pan. With your fingers, distribute it evenly over the bottom and press it down into a very firm, compact layer. Refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
Step 2:(FILLING) Adjust rack 1/3 up from the bottom of the oven and preheat to 350 deg. F. Partially melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler, then uncover and stir until completely melted. Remove the top of the double boiler and set aside to cool. Break the Amaretti coarsely into a bowl and set aside. Cut the almond paste into small pieces, and beat on low speed with an electric mixer, while gradually adding the Amaretto liqueur. Beat until thoroughly mixed, and set aside.
Step 3:the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and beat until smooth again. Add the almond paste-Amaretto mixture and beat until thoroughly mixed. Add the melted chocolate and beat well again. Add the eggs one at a time, beating at low speed until they are incorporated after each addition. Add the heavy cream and beat until smooth. Add the coarsely broken Amaretti and stir gently only to mix. Turn into the prepared pan, pouring the mixture over the bottom crust. Rotate the pan gently to level the batter. (Don’t worry if the mixture comes almost to the top; it won’t run over.) Bake 45 minutes. It will seem soft and not done, but don’t bake any more; it will become firm when chilled.
Step 4:NOTES Amaretti are Italian almond-flavored wafer cookies. They are usually sold in metal tins with the wafers wrapped in packages of two inside the tin. You can also buy Amarettini, which are the same flavor but much smaller and not individually wrapped. Since you’re going to grind some of the wafers and break the others into chunks, it doesn’t matter which size you start with.

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Best Boston Cream Pie

best_boston_cream_pie Best Boston Cream Pie - If you look forward to spending your days off baking, and creating beautiful, delicious desserts, here’s a great one! This gives instructions on how to make all of it from scratch, so it does require some work, but don’t let that discourage you.Prep Time: 30 mins
Main Ingredient: Cake, Berries
Difficulty Level: 4

Ingredients to make Best Boston Cream Pie

WHITE CHOC. PASTRY CREAM
2 c Milk
1/4 c Cornstarch
1 Vanilla bean,split,lengthwise
6 lg Egg yolks
6 oz White chocolate,finely chopped
3/4 c Plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tb Unsalted butter

GENOISE CAKE
7 lg Eggs
1 1/2 c All-purpose flour
7 lg Egg yolks
7 tb Unsalted butter,melted
1 c Granulated sugar

GANACHE
3/4 c Heavy cream
1 lb Semisweet chocolate,finelt chopped
3 tb Water

Directions to make Best Boston Cream Pie

Step 1:PASTRY CREAM: In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring the milk and the vanilla bean to a boil. Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, mix together the sugar and the cornstarch so that no lumps of starch remain. Mix in the egg yolks, and using a wire whisk, whisk together until the mixture is combined. When the milk comes to a boil, slowly whisk half of it into the egg mixture. Pour the contents of the bowl back into the saucepan with the remaining milk and whisk continuously over medium heat until thick, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chopped white chocolate and the butter, and continue mixing until both melt. Strain the mixture into a medium bowl and cover it with plastic wrap, so that the wrap covers the surface of the cream. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 1 hour. This may be made one day in advance.
Step 2:GENOISE CAKE: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350F. Line the bottoms of two 13 1/2 x 9 1/2-inch baking pans with nt or waxed paper. Lightly butter the parchment. Flour the pans lightly, shaking off any excess. In the 4 1/2-quart bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer, place the eggs, yolks and sugar. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water on the stove and whisk constantly until the eggs are just warm. Return the bowl to the mixer stand, and using a wire whip attachment, whip the egg mixture until it triples in volume and forms fluffy, soft peaks. Scrape the batter into a large bowl and sift the flour on top of it. With a rubber spatula, partially fold the flour into the mix. Gently fold in the melted butter. Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake the cake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden. Cool the cakes in the pans set on a wire rack.
Step 3:GANACHE: In a saucepan over high heat, bring the cream and water to a boil. Place the chocolate in a medium bowl. Pour the boiled cream over the chocolate. Allow it to melt for a few minutes, then whisk until smooth.
Step 4:ASSEMBLY: With a sharp paring knife, using a 6 1/2inch plate or other disc as a guide, carefully cut out two circles of genoise from each sheet of cake. Leave the circles in place until you’re ready to use them, but lift off the scraps of cake from the pan and discard them. Carefully lift one genoise circle from the pan and place it on a tin bottom of a springform pan or other small platter. Evenly spread one-third of the pastry cream over this layer. Top with another cake layer. Spread one-third of the pastry cream over this layer. Repeat once more and top with the final layer of sponge. Refrigerate until ready to serve. When you’re ready to serve the cake, remelt the ganache over a double boiler. Top the cake generously with the ganache so that it drips down the cake sides. Use a small offset metal cake spatula to smooth the ganache into an even layer on the sides of the cake. Garnish the cake with fresh raspberries.

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Celebration Checkerboard Cake

  Celebration Checkerboard Cake - A scrumptious dessert, that lets you avoid baking, made out of heavenly melted chocolate, and the sweet light angel food cake. The angel food cake is store bought, so it is as easy to make as it is to eat!Prep Time: 20 mins
Servings: 8
Main Ingredient: Cake, Chocolate
Difficulty Level: 2

Ingredients to make Celebration Checkerboard Cake

3 Unsweetened chocolate 1 oz Squares or the melted choc
1/2 c White sugar
1/2 c Hot water
1 tb Gelatin,unflavored
2 tb Cold water
4 Egg yolks,beaten
4 Egg whites,beaten
1 ts Vanilla
1 c Heavy cream,(whipping)
1/2 c Almonds, blanched,browned,coarsely chopped
1 lg Angel food cake

Directions to make Celebration Checkerboard Cake

Step 1:Combine hot water, sugar and chocolate in double boiler. Heat until chocolate melts. Stir to blend. Soften gelatin in the cold water and add to chocolate mixture. Stir and cook until smooth and thick-about 5 minutes. Add chocolate mixture to egg yolks. Mix well. Cool 5 minutes.
Step 2:Add vanilla then fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Cool completely. Whip the cream and fold in nuts. Add to the chocolate mixture.
Step 3:Grease an angel(tube)cake pan. Break cake into egg size pieces. Put a layer of cake pieces into pan and pour some of the cholcolate mixture over and let it run through, repeat until all the cake and sauce are used. Cover and let set in refrigerator for about 8 hours. Ice with whipped cream or (Cool Whip)after turning out on serving plate and decorate with browned almonds.
Step 4:The cake can be iced several hours before serving and should be served real cold.

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Ice Cream Black Forest Cake

  Ice Cream Black Forest Cake - Yes, you did read that right. Beautiful black forest chocolate cake, and cool creamy ice cream, topped with rich whipping cream! Sinfully delicious, it has always been loved by everyone who tries it, and we bet you will love it too.Cook Time: 30-35 mins
Main Ingredient: Cake, Ice Cream
Difficulty Level: 2

Ingredients to make Ice Cream Black Forest Cake

1 qt Golden vanilla ice cream,softened
1 3/4 c Unsifted all purpose flour
2 c Sugar
3/4 c Cocoa
2 ts Baking soda
1 ts Baking powder
1 ts Salt
2 Eggs
1 c Strong black coffee
1 c Buttermilk, or soy milk
1/2 c Vegetable oil
1 ts Vanilla
3 c Whipping cream
1 c Cherry pie filling

** To sour milk, use 1 TBSP vinegar and enough milk to equal 1 cup.

Directions to make Ice Cream Black Forest Cake

Step 1:Firmly pack ice cream into a foil-lined 9inch round cake pan. Cover and freeze about 2 hours.
Step 2:Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in large mixer bowl. Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Beat on med speed 2 minutes. Batter will be thin. Pour batter into greased and floured 9inch round cake pans. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely.
Step 3:Place 1 cake layer upside down on serving plate; top with ice cream unmolded from cake pan. Place second cake layer top side up over ice cream layer. Gently spread whipped cream on top and sides of cake. With decorator’s
Step 4:Fill center with cherry pie filling. Cover and freeze at least one hour before serving.

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