Baci Chocolate Birthday Cake
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
40 mins
-
Cook Time
30 mins
-
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
-
Servings
12 servings
-
Calories
505 kcal
-
Cuisine
Italian-American Fussion
Baci Chocolate Birthday Cake
Description
This recipe creates a chocolate cake bathed in a mix of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, warm water, vegetable oil, and vanilla. The addition of cornstarch helps yield a tender crumb. The batter is baked in two 8-inch pans, cooled, and trimmed to flat layers for assembly.
The frosting blends whipped cream with mascarpone cheese and Nutella, folded to maintain a fluffy yet rich texture. The cake is layered with a quarter of the frosting between the two cake layers and coated with most of the remaining frosting. Baci chocolates are placed on top, and optional hazelnuts add crunch. The frosting provides creamy sweetness to complement the moist chocolate base.
This cake is designed for birthdays or special events, storing unfrosted at room temperature or wrapped for up to three days, or refrigerated up to six days. Frosted cake should be refrigerated and brought to room temperature before serving. It also freezes well, wrapped properly to maintain freshness. Variations can substitute other frostings based on preference.
Ingredients
CHOCOLATE CAKE
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour or 2 cups cake/pastry flour and no cornstarch
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¾ cup cocoa powder unsweetened, Dutch processed
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large egg room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk homemade, room temperature
- 1 cup water warm
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil I use corn oil, I use sunflower or corn oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*In a one cup measurement add one tablespoon of white vinegar then fill the cup with whole milk and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Stir to combine before using.
MASCARPONE CREAM FROSTING
- 1½ cups cream whole, heavy or whipping
- 1 cup mascarpone
- ¼ cup Nutella
TOPPING
- 6 chocolate Baci Perugina brand chocolates
EXTRAs
- ½-¾ cup hazelnuts finely chopped, optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C) and grease and flour two 8 inch (20cm) cake pans.
CHOCOLATE CAKE
- In a large bowl or stand mixer sift together the flour, corn starch, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Add the sugar and whisk together, add the eggs, buttermilk, warm water, oil and vanilla beat on medium speed until smooth, approximately 2 minutes.
- Divide the batter between the two prepared pans and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool, then remove from pans.
MASCARPONE CREAM FROSTING
- In a medium bowl beat together until very thick the cream and mascarpone. Fold in the Nutella until streaks form. It only takes a 4 or 5 foldings.
PUTTING IT TOGETHER
- Remove the tops of the cakes to form flat layers. Place one layer on a plate and top with 1/4 of the frosting, place the other layer on top and spread with almost all the remaining frosting (leave approximately 1/2 cup to form rosettes on the top to hold the baci chocolates, I used a 1M tip) over the cake, including the sides. Top with chopped nuts, the rosettes and Baci chocolates. Enjoy!
Notes
- To make cake flour at home, replace two tablespoons of all-purpose flour with cornstarch per cup and sift together to ensure tenderness.
- Trim cake tops and use them for other baked goods like cinnamon coffee cake to avoid waste.
- You may substitute the mascarpone Nutella frosting with chocolate buttercream, Swiss meringue buttercream, or cream cheese frosting if desired.
- Store unfrosted cake wrapped at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerated for up to 5-6 days; frost the cake and refrigerate, warming slightly before serving.
- Cake freezes well for up to 3 months when wrapped properly, frost separately or frozen with frosting after firming on a tray.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 505 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 505kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 60g | 20% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Cholesterol | 93mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 117mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 254mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 39g | 78% |
| Vitamin A | 780IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 123mg | 12% |
| Iron | 2.1mg | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
