Dark Chocolate Mocha Cake

What better way to kick off the new blog than by sharing a chocolate cake recipe?  This one is a real winner too.  It's got the perfect amount of coffee taste mixed with bittersweet chocolate, an addictive combination if you ask me, so proceed with caution and make sure you have plenty of friends on hand to help you enjoy this cake!

*I cut this recipe in half and we still had plenty.

 CAKE
2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup melted butter
 2 eggs
 1 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup strong, hot coffee

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour two 9 inch round pans.  Stir dry ingredients together.  Add melted butter, eggs, milk, vanilla and mix for 2 minutes with whisk.  Pour in hot coffee and mix.  Pour into baking pans and bake for 35-40 minutes.  Cool for 20 minutes before removing.

GANACHE (for in between the layers)
1/2 cup dark or bittersweet chocolate (4 oz)
1/2 cup butter

Melt together in microwave for 30 second intervals and stir until smooth.  Arrange first layer of cake on plate, pour half of chocolate over cake.  Place second layer cake on top.  Pour the rest of the ganache on top of the cake.  Set cake in the fridge or freezer to harden the chocolate.

FROSTING
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tablespoon very finely ground coffee beans

Beat cream, sugar, vanilla until peaks form.  Add cocoa and coffee beans and beat until stiff.  Frost completely cooled cake.

* Make sure to store the cake in the fridge

I found this recipe on my new favorite blog guiltykitchen.com 
You should SO check out this blog, you'll fall in love!