This luscious chocolate cake combines everyday ingredients with a hint of coffee for a deep, fudgy flavor. Topped with a silky chocolate cream and whipped cream, it’s perfect for any occasion.
Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Pour the sugar directly into the mixing bowl, then sift the remaining dry ingredients over it. Add 1 3/4 cups of plain all-purpose flour, 1 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder, a heaping teaspoon of baking soda, another heaping teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/3 teaspoon salt. Mix thoroughly. Create a small well in the center of the bowl and crack in 2 room-temperature eggs. Add 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 1 cup room-temperature milk. Start mixing from the center, gradually incorporating the dry ingredients into the wet. Add vanilla extract to taste and continue mixing until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
Prepare flavored coffee by dissolving 1 teaspoon of coffee in boiling water (do not drink; this is for the batter). Grease the baking pans well and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Gradually pour the coffee into the batter, mixing continually until you achieve a smooth, milkshake-like consistency. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes. After baking, let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then carefully remove them.
Whip 2/3 cup of cold heavy whipping cream in a chilled bowl until stiff peaks form. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar while whipping.
Chop two sticks of dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) into small pieces.
Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Whisk the yolks with 1 tablespoon of sugar until smooth. Stir in 2/3 cup of whipping cream.
Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens into a creamy consistency. Do not let it boil. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the chopped chocolate until fully melted and blended.
Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the whipped cream. Use the cream immediately to prevent it from stiffening.
To assemble the cake, place the first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a portion of the chocolate cream evenly over it. Add the second layer and repeat the process. If the cream becomes too firm, warm it gently in a water bath and rewhip before using.
Create delicate surface textures on the cake by spinning it on a turntable and lightly dragging your finger or the back of a fork over the frosting.