My first attempt :) The cake looks nice with the glossy surface - but since the cake is made of chocolate and ganache it's still pretty dark and doesn't really "pop". If using vanilla cake or with buttercream frosting - it will look even better.
Facebook link - https://www.facebook.com/sassyangelakitchen/photos/a.469362976603634.1073741842.233664896840111/588889274651003/?type=3&theater
Ingredients -
170g sugar
105g plain flour, sifted twice
45g Valrhona cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 large egg
120ml buttermilk
120ml strong coffee
70ml vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla essence
Ganache -
250g semi sweet chocolate
150ml heavy cream (36% fat content)
Pan size -
9'' (23cm) round pan
or
4 x 15cm round pans
Mirror glaze -
5 tsp powdered gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1/2 sweet cup condensed milk
225g white chocolate (converture)
Food coloring - black, dark blue, bright blue, pink and purple.
Opt - edible silver dust
Method - Mirror Glaze
Steps -
Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius
1. Grease and line parchment paper to four 15cm baking pans. Set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix on low until dry ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. Add egg, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla essence - beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Batter will be thin.
4. Divide batter evenly among 4 baking trays, about 160g batter each.
5. Bake at preheated oven for 25-35 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean. Remove cake from oven and transfer to wire rack, let it cool completely.
6. In a small sauce pot, bring heavy cream to a simmer and then remove from heat. Pour the cream onto the chocolate. Let it sit for a minute and then stir to mix well.
7. Assemble the cake - sandwich the layers together with just a little of the ganache. Pour the rest over the cake letting it fall down the sides and smoothing to cover with a paletter knife. Chill the cake until ganache is firm, about an hour.
Notes -
1. Buttermilk - I added 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice to 120ml milk. Set aside for 10 minutes.
2. Strong Coffee - I used 1 tbsp espresso powder to 120ml of hot water.
3. Every oven's temperature varies. I baked these 4 trays altogether on the middle rack at 160 degrees celsius for 20 minutes.
4. I have already reduced 30g sugar compared to the original recipe.
Recipe origin: My Baking Addiction
