Chocolate Birthday Cake

It was Chris's birthday this week.  Usually we get the chocolate layer cake from Costco but this year I decided to make one.

2/3 cup of cocoa powder
4 tablespoons of esspresso powder
1 cup of hot water
1/2 cup of shortening
a pinch of cayenne
1/2 cup of olive oil
1 2/3 cups of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 cups of cake flour
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1 1/14 teaspoon of baking soda
2/3 cup of butter milk (powdered is fine)
3 eggs

Whisk together hot water, espresso, and cocoa.

 Whisk oil, sugar, and shorting until fluffy.  Add in eggs and beat until fluffy.

Whisk in coca and coffee mixture.  Then add in vanilla, and butter milk.  Add in salt, baking soda, baking powder until well combined.  Slowly add in flour.

Evenly distribute batter between two cake pans that are greased and lined with parchment paper.  Bake at 350 for35-40 min until a tooth pick comes out clean. Cool on a baking rack.  Once it is completely cooled then proceed to frosting. 

FrostingL

1/2 cup of cocoa powder

1 stick of butter

1/2 brick of cream cheese (not in picture)

4 cups of powderedsugar

2 teaspoons of vanilla

Beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy.  Add in vanilla and cocoa and then slowly add in powdered sugar.  You might need to add a little milk to adjust consistency.

Using an off set spatula cover first layer and then add second layer and completely cover top and sides.

Decorate with a ganche if desired.  To make bring a 1/4 cup of cream to a simmer add in 1 cup of chocolate chips. Let rest for 5 min and then whisk until glossy.  Let cool for at least 30 min and then use to decorate.

Slice and serve with ice cream.  My husband likes to spell any but happy birthday with the birthday blocks.