M J 2001

: Makes16servings

v m: 11/2hr

Pp

Forcakelayers

Makecakelayers:

3/4cupboilingwater

m: 6hr

Preheatovento350F.Butter3(7-or8-inch,2-inchdeep)roundcakepansandlinebottomswithroundsof

1/2cupunsweetened
cocoapowder(notDutch-

waxorparchmentpaper.Butterpaperanddustpans
withflour,knockingoutexcess.

process)
Whisktogetherwater,cocoa,andespressopowderuntil
1teaspooninstantespressopowder
1/2cupwholemilk
1teaspoonvanilla

smooth,thenwhiskinmilkandvanilla.
Sifttogetherflour,bakingsoda,andsalt.
Beattogetherbutterandbrownsugarinalargebowl
withanelectricmixerathighspeeduntilfluffy,then
addeggs1atatime,beatingwellaftereachaddition.

2cupsall-purposeflour

Addflourmixtureandcocoamixtureinbatches,

11/4teaspoonsbaking

beginningandendingwithflourandmixingatlow

soda

speeduntiljustcombined.

1/4teaspoonsalt

Dividebatteramongpans(about21/3cupsperpan),
smoothingtops.Bakeinmiddleofovenuntilatester

2sticks(1cup)unsalted
butter,softened

comesoutclean,30to35minutesfor7-inchpansor20
to25minutesfor8-inch.Coolinpansonarack30

2cupspackeddarkbrown

minutes,theninvertontoracks,removepaper,andcool

sugar

completely.

4largeeggs

Makeganachewhilecakesbake:

Forganachefillingand
glaze
21/2cupsheavycream

Bringcreamtoasimmerina3-to4-quartsaucepan
andremovefromheat.Whiskinchocolateuntil
smooth.Transferganachetoabowlandchill,covered,
stirringoccasionally,untilthickenedbutspreadable,

20ouncesfine-quality

about4hours.(Ifganachebecomestoothick,letstand

bittersweetchocolate(not

atroomtemperatureuntilslightlysoftened.)

unsweetened),finely
choppedinafood

Assemblecake:

processor

Arrange1layeronacakestandorplateandspread2/3
cupganacheevenlyoverit.Topwithanothercakelayer
and2/3cupganache,spreadingevenly,thenthirdcake
layer.(Chillganacheifnecessarytokeepata
spreadableconsistency.)Chillcakeuntilganachefilling
isfirm,about1hour.Keepremainingganacheata
spreadableconsistency,chillingwhennecessary.
Spreadathinlayerofganacheovertopandsidesof
caketosealincrumbs,thenchill30minutes.Spread
remainingganacheevenlyovertopandsidesofcake.

Cooks'notes:
Cakelayersmaybemade1dayahead,cooled
completely,thenchilled,wrappedwellinplastic
wrap.Ganachemaybemade1dayaheadand
chilled,covered.Letstandatroomtemperature2
to3hourstosoftentoaspreadableconsistency.
Thiscakecanalsobemadein2(8-inch,2-inchdeep)roundcakepans.Splitlayershorizontally,
thenuse1/2cupganachebetweenlayers.
Assembledcakekeeps,coveredandchilled,3days.
meringuekisseswithpassion-fruitfool

p.m , . v.