Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Herons›Chocolate Cake Recipe

Chocolate Cake Recipe

Inspired by Herons
Time1h 30m
Serves12

Brooklyn blackout layer cake, whipped ganache, buttercream icing

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Ingredients

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Cake Layers

Whipped Ganache

Buttercream Icing

Method

Cake Layers

  1. 1

    Preheat the Oven

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

  2. 2

    Mix Dry Ingredients

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.

  3. 3

    Combine Wet Ingredients

    Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.

  4. 4

    Add Boiling Water

    Stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.

  5. 5

    Bake the Cakes

    Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  6. 6

    Cool the Cakes

    Once baked, let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Whipped Ganache

  1. 7

    Heat the Cream

    In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer.

  2. 8

    Melt the Chocolate

    Place the chocolate chips in a bowl and pour the hot cream over them. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

  3. 9

    Whisk Until Smooth

    Whisk the mixture until smooth and fully combined. Let it cool to room temperature.

  4. 10

    Whip the Ganache

    Once cooled, use an electric mixer to whip the ganache until fluffy and light.

Buttercream Icing

  1. 11

    Beat the Butter

    In a mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter on medium speed until creamy and light in color.

  2. 12

    Add Sugar and Cream

    Gradually add in the powdered sugar, alternating with the heavy cream, and beat until smooth.

  3. 13

    Add Vanilla

    Mix in the vanilla extract and continue to beat until the icing is fluffy.

Assembling the Cake

  1. 14

    Layer the Cakes

    Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of whipped ganache on top.

  2. 15

    Add Second Layer

    Place the second layer of cake on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining whipped ganache.

  3. 16

    Frost with Buttercream

    Use the buttercream icing to frost the sides and top of the cake as desired.

  4. 17

    Decorate

    Optionally, decorate with chocolate shavings or sprinkles for an elegant finish.

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