Chocolate Layer Cake (4" sq.)

4 inch sq. chocolate layer cake for two

Serves 2

This is the perfect chocolate layer cake for two people and provides for desert after two meals. We bake the cake in a Fat Daddio's anodized aluminum square pan with removable bottom, 4" by 4" by 3". The removable bottom is not a requirement but it does make releasing the cake from the pan quite easy. The cake rises almost to the top of the pan when baked.

Because the amount of batter made is quite small it is easier to whisk the ingredients by hand then it is to use an electric stand mixer. We used a stand mixer the first time we made this cake and found that the ingredients weren't combining as the machine's whisk barely touched the ingredients on the bottom of the mixer bowl.

We used a hand mixer for the frosting, which was perfect for the quantity involved.

Ingredients Chocolate Cake

Ingredients Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Directions Chocolate Cake

  1. Heat the oven to 350° F.
  2. Place a layer of parchment paper on the bottom of the baking pan.
  3. Rub butter around the inside of the baking pan and the parchment paper. Dust the butter with a very thin layer of flour.
  4. Dissolve the cocoa in the water containing the coffee.
  5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
  6. Add the crème fraîche, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix until incorporated.
  7. Stream in the coffee/cocoa liquid and mix until the batter is smooth and thin.
  8. Pour the batter into the baking pan. Bake for 40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool completely on a wire rack prior to cutting and frosting the cake.

Directions Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  1. Beat the butter on the medium speed of an electric mixer until it is smooth, about 2 1/2 minutes.
  2. Add the vanilla, salt and cocoa powder and beat until combined.
  3. Add the cream a couple of tablespoons at a time and blend on low speed.
  4. Add the sugar, blend at low speed.
  5. Once blended increase mixer speed and beat until the frosting is smooth.

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Bon Appétit