It's a happy birthday cake!

[eyesroll]

Today was my SO's 31st birthday. I asked him what kind of cake he wanted. He requested chocolate.

I used this recipe for the cake part:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/101275

But instead of making 10-inch layers, I made 8-inch layers (baking time was closer to 50 minutes) and a dozen cupcakes.

And I made a ganache (no corn syrup -- just improvised with what I had on hand) and used that between layers, along with some melted seedless raspberry preserves.

Frosted with white buttercream, decorated with purple buttercream and ample sprinkles (the three-year-old's choice and handiwork).

Verdict?

It kicked the ass of the last birthday cake I made (story here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=236&topic_id=10792)

This is my chocolate cake recipe from now on.

[grasswire]

1. wow, that's a lot of cocoa powder

Very interesting. Incidentally, I have become a devotee of Hershey's dark cocoa powder. I sprinkle it on vanilla ice cream.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. That frosting could make me .....

.... never mind! :)

I ***want*** that frosting. In a dish. All by itself.

[hobbit709]

3. My wife just made mine

Chocolate-Raspberry torte with white chocolate-raspberry cream filling. Chocolate-mocha buttercream frosting with raspberries and whipped cream on top. Had to take an extra diabetes pill before eating but I figure once a year it's worth it.