Posted on Thursday, 11th November 2010 by Grace Massa Langlois
It seems like only yesterday we were helping my daughter, Liana, blow out the candles on her very first Birthday Cake and yet here we are celebrating her 19th Birthday, I can’t believe it!
Just as that first Birthday Cake was so memorable for me (I don’t think she still remembers it), I wanted this, her 19th Birthday cake to be something she would remember too.
Liana asked for chocolate so I set out looking for a moist and rich chocolate cake and I found just that in Ina Garten’s Chocolate Layer Cake. And going for the “more is more” policy, I decided to double the chocolate pleasure and went with a White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting. The cream cheese and white chocolate combination was amazing and the texture was so decadent.
While searching for the perfect cake I couldn’t help but remember all the past birthdays and all the special cakes and I couldn’t help but shed a few tears for the little girl that was now all grown up (I know, pretty silly). The years of ballerina cakes and princess cakes were long gone but this birthday seemed so monumental. Even though Liana’s now a young woman I decided I was going to make one last girly, sugar and spice, cutesy kind of special birthday cake for Liana.
My friend sent inspiration my way when he sent me the link to Heather’s site, Sprinkle Bakes, and her post for Coffee and Donuts Cake. What a fantastic idea, thank you Heather!
The frosting had to be pink and as you can see it was a stunning contrast to the very dark (almost black) chocolate cake. I carried on with the “pretty in pink” theme and decorated the cake with Baked White Chocolate Cake Doughnuts with pink tinted Vanilla Glaze. To top it all off, I sprinkled them with the white nonpareils.
All of the individual elements of the cake were delicious on their own but the combination of them all together made for one “to die for” cake. And most importantly, Liana loved it!
Mothers give their daughters so many things, love, names, presents, and yes, cakes. I’m proud to say that this will be a cake Liana will remember for years to come.
Chocolate Layer Cake with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting and Baked White Chocolate Cake Doughnuts
- Chocolate Layer Cake
- White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
- Baked White Chocolate Cake Doughnuts with Vanilla Glaze (decorated with pink tinted vanilla doughnut glaze and white nonpareils)
Chocolate Layer Cake
(From Ina Garten)
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease two 8-inch round baking tins with butter and line with non-stick baking paper (grease paper). Dust the tins lightly with flour and tap out any excess.
- Into a small bowl, using a fine mesh sieve, sift the cocoa 2 times.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, using a fine mesh sieve, sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder (for the third time), baking soda, baking powder and salt. Attach the paddle attachment and mix on low speed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla.
- Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture and slowly mix on low speed until just combined (do not over-mix).
- Gradually add the hot coffee and mix until fully combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking tins. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the centre of the cakes comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes; then invert the cakes and return the cakes to the wire rack to cool completely. Remove the parchment paper.
White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
(Adapted From Sheila, tasteduds and originally from Cheryl, Cupcake Bakeshop)
- 7 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- Gel Paste food colouring (Wilton Pink)
- Using a spatula, stir the white chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of just simmering water until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed beat the butter and cream cheese until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the white chocolate and vanilla and beat to combine.
- Reduce speed to low. Add the confectioners’ sugar, ½ cup at a time, and mix until smooth and combined, scraping down sides and bottom of bowl as needed.
- Using a toothpick add a drop of gel paste food colouring and mix until well combined. Repeat until you have reached the desired colouring.
Assembling and Decorating Chocolate Layer Cake
- Using a pastry brush, brush all crumbs from the cakes.
- Set a cake layer on a serving platter with the flat side facing up.
- Evenly spread one-third of the frosting over the cake to the edge.
- Top with second cake layer, rounded side up.
- Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
- Starting at the base of the cake, gently press doughnut (unglazed side) on the side of the cake. Continue all the way around the cake and repeat with the second layer. Garnish with 3 doughnuts on the top of the cake (unglazed sides in).
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Tags: cake, cakes, chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate dessert, chocolate frosting, chocolate icing, cream cheese, dessert, desserts, donuts, doughnuts, extra special, frosting, icing, white chocolate
Posted in Baking & Pastry, Baking Mise en Place, Fillings, Frostings & Dessert Sauces, Pastry Doughs & Batter, Recipes
Comments (54)
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November 11th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by kellie sutton and Grace Langlois, elena cestafe. elena cestafe said: Chocolate Layer Cake with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting – http://tinyurl.com/29pwxav [...]
November 11th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Happy birthday!! Love what you did with the pink!!! I can’t get enough of that photo.
November 12th, 2010 at 2:11 am
Its so delicious chocolate layer cake with white chocolate cream cheese frosting.
November 12th, 2010 at 3:27 am
oooohhh….. I just saw the inside of the cake… and I think I’m dead!!
November 12th, 2010 at 6:28 am
what a beautiful cake! that is definitely memorable:-)
November 12th, 2010 at 6:51 am
What a deliciously stunning, pull-out-all-the-stops cake for girls of all ages. I love what you’ve done here to give your daughter a truly memorable and sweet 19th birthday.
November 12th, 2010 at 7:26 am
Thank you Barbara, this birthday it me hard, I really can’t believe she’s 19 already, she grew up way to quick!
November 12th, 2010 at 7:27 am
Thanks Lauren, I think she will remember this one because I’ve overheard her discussing it with her friends, tugged at my heart, just a little, okay, more than a little. When I look at her I still see that little girl.
November 12th, 2010 at 7:28 am
You are hilarious!!!
November 12th, 2010 at 9:16 am
That is just the cutest cake I have seen in a while! I’m sure your daughter loved it!
November 12th, 2010 at 11:21 am
This is probably one of the prettiest and most girly cakes I have ever seen…and I LOVE it!
November 12th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
I cannot believe how GORGEOUS this cake is. How wonderful to celebrate your daughter. No matter what, they are always our “little” girls, right?? I just made my daughters 7th b’day cake-one of the most pleasurable experiences ever!
November 12th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Marla so coincidental I just visited a site where the blogger was celebrating her daughter’s first. You are so right! When I look at my daughter and how I feel in my heart is that she is and always will be my little girl no matter how old she gets. 7 is such a great age, you must be having so much fun. Liana started dancing at that age, I remember crying at every competition, I was so proud! I’m heading over to your site, hope you posted a pic of her b-day cake!
November 12th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Perfect girlie cake!
Mimi
November 12th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
That is a beautiful cake! And Ina Garten’s chocolate cake recipe is always my go to recipe for chocolate cake. And I love those donuts, they’re so cute! I will be making them for my students this week
November 12th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
This is so cute I just had to check it out! Kudos to you for tackling such an ambitious cake
November 12th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Thank you for stopping by.
November 12th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Jane it’s definitely one of the better chocolate cakes I’ve tried. My favourite is still Donna Hay’s Chocolate Buttermilk but this one is definitely right up there.
November 12th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
What a beautiful 19th B-day cake! I bet your daughter really appriciated it
!
November 13th, 2010 at 12:15 am
Yes she did, thank you Amy!
November 13th, 2010 at 9:40 am
White Chocolate cream cheese frosting recipe is so amazing. It looks melt in your mouth yummy.
November 13th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
delicious cake
November 14th, 2010 at 8:45 am
[...] years of ballerina cakes and princess cakes were long gone but this birthday seemed so monumental. Even though Liana’s now a young woman I decided I was going to make one last girly, sugar and spic….” w/ [...]
November 15th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
This is one pretty pink cake. i love it!
November 15th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
I’ve already been here twice and both times got distracted from commenting. I might have been in a trance from staring at these pics. OMG, Grace! This cake looks so delicious. I bet this will be one your daughter will remember for a long time!
November 15th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Thanks Marly, I think she will remember this one, I’ve overheard her chatting about with friends so it must have made an impression.
November 16th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
This is a very pretty cake. I love the pink color that you used for this one. This is a very nice idea.
November 16th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
What a beautiful pink layer cake to celebrate her birthday! Looking back, I don’t remember much about what happened on each birthday as a kid, but I DO remember the amazing cakes my Mum used to make. They’re such great memories.
November 17th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
My lord this cake is incredible! A true masterpiece. you have one lucky daughter.
November 17th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Thank you Joanne but I’ve always thought I am the lucky one, Liana has always been my gift from God.
November 19th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
I bet your daughter had a wonderful birthday! This cake looks great!
November 19th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
What an amazing, wonderful mama you are. I absolutely love the cake and I’m glad that she did too <3
November 21st, 2010 at 10:42 pm
FABULOUS! This is really amazing. I want to learn how to make this cake of yours. I lvoe the pink colored icing. It looks good and delicious. I want to bake like this and give it to my cousin for her debut party. Thanks for sharing this awesome cake.
November 25th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Absolutely stunning cake! I’ve made Ina’s cake before and it truly is delicious. Can’t wait to give it another try with this icing…yum.
December 2nd, 2010 at 7:19 am
[...] hearts recipe. Looking for the perfect “pretty in pink” birthday cake idea? My Chocolate Layer Cake with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting decorated with Baked White Chocolate Cake Doughnuts was a hit at my daughter’s (Liana) last [...]
December 10th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
From the presentation to the pink on chocolate contrast, this cake is simply perfect I really think you picked a real winner for your daughter’s 19th birthday and that she will remember it always. I hope you get the same pleasure out of serving it that you did when she was first born.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:25 am
This is a beautiful cake. How do I do the doughnuts. I don’t see that part. Could I use re made doughnuts from store. Thanks
March 3rd, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Thank you Marian – you most definitely could use store bought but the recipe for the donuts is quick and easy if you would like to give it a go. The recipe link for the Donuts is listed just below the Main Recipe Title (Chocolate Layer Cake with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting and Baked White Chocolate Cake Doughnuts) and it is in grey font. If you click on that it will take you directly to the recipe. Here is the link as well http://gracessweetlife.com/2010/11/baked-white-chocolate-cake-doughnuts-with-vanilla-glaze/
Hope you enjoy!
January 7th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
[...] Pink Donut Cake From La Mia Vita Dolce [...]
January 17th, 2012 at 9:30 am
[...] From Grace’s Sweet Life [...]
January 17th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
[...] Say what…? Yes, you read it right. This gorgeous and moist doughnut covered cake is a Chocolate Layer Cake with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting! Even the doughnuts are white chocolate. La Mia Vita Dolce says that “the cream cheese [...]
January 22nd, 2012 at 2:15 pm
I made the icing for some cupcakes- absolutely delicious (I recommend mixing the cream cheese, etc. together before starting to melt the chocolate; I lost track of time and had tiny slivers of white chocolate in my frosting. I…I’m not really sure why I say that like its a bad thing.)
Also, halve the recipe for cupcakes, this makes A LOT of icing. The kind you eat with a spoon if its in the fridge…
February 26th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Made this cake last night for my boyfriend and I’s anniversary. It was absolutely amazing last night and ever better today!!! Thank you so much for the recipe.
February 26th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
I’m so happy you enjoyed the cake Kitty – Happy Anniversary – Wishing you both a life filled with love and happiness!
April 17th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
[...] chocolate birthday cake, however, is different. I found this one on La Mia Dolce Vita, and knew it was the recipe. It is originally from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa herself, [...]
May 9th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Hi, Grace
Was wondering if this tasted at all like coffee…looks delicious but my family are not coffee fans. thanks
May 9th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Hi Shannon, I love coffee but you can’t taste the coffee in the batter. What it does do is bring out the chocolate flavour, it’s absolutely delicious and extremely moist especially since there is buttermilk in the recipe too. This is a huge family favourite and whenever I serve it to guests they always rave about it.
May 24th, 2012 at 2:12 am
I love this cake, looks so beautiful!
May 24th, 2012 at 3:29 am
Thanks Jeannie, the flavour is the real winner, so moist and delicious.
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:06 am
This cake looks so delicious and beautiful! I plan on making it for my 26th birthday… pink and all! My only concern is that I’ll have to make it a day in advance. Will it lose its moisture or get hard if it’s refrigerated? Should I leave it out?
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:25 am
Hi Jennifer if at all possible I would leave it out. Do you happen to have a cold room or is your basement extra cold?
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:32 am
Thanks for the speedy reply! I don’t have a basement, but the house in general tends to stay fairly cool. I think it’ll be ok if I left it out. I look forward to making it! =D
July 3rd, 2012 at 11:45 am
Jennifer I hope you enjoy as much as we do. It’s one of my favourite cakes, lots of flavour and very moist and every time I’ve served it I received rave reviews.
July 25th, 2012 at 11:10 am
[...] love the idea of mini donuts for dessert. Grace’s Sweet Life Blog sure got it right with these martini glass food displays! No melting, fuss or preparation involved! [...]