Welcome to "The Growling Stomach!" In this episode, Keith Breitbach, your friendly cooking buff, guides you through the steps to bake the perfect chocolate birthday cake. Whether celebrating a special occasion or craving something sweet, this episode has you covered. Join Keith as he shares his favorite recipe, clever cooking hacks, and fascinating food facts to help you create a delicious and impressive cake.

Perfect Chocolate Birthday Cake

Recipe and Step-by-Step Instructions:

Ingredients:

• For the Cake:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup whole milk

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 cup boiling water (or hot coffee for extra flavor)

• For the Ganache:

• 8 ounces dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), chopped

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

• A pinch of sea salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

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

2. Mix Dry Ingredients:

• In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients:

• In another bowl, beat the eggs, then add the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix well.

4. Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures:

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on medium speed until well combined.

5. Add Boiling Water:

• Carefully add the boiling water (or hot coffee) to the batter. Mix on low speed until smooth. The batter will be thin, but that's okay.

6. Bake the Cakes:

• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool the Cakes:

• Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and place them on wire racks to cool completely.

8. Prepare the Ganache:

• Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream until it's just about to boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for a minute. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt if desired.

9. Assemble the Cake:

• Once the cakes are completely cooled, level them if necessary. Place one layer on a cake board or plate, and spread a generous amount of ganache over the top. Place the second layer on top and frost the outside of the cake with the remaining ganache.

10. Decorate:

• Get creative with decorations! Fresh berries, edible flowers, or a dusting of cocoa powder can add a beautiful touch.

11. Serve and Enjoy:

• Slice and serve your perfect chocolate birthday cake. Enjoy the delicious flavors and the compliments from your guests!

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