In Search of Perfection: Chocolate Cake

In Search of Perfection

A chocolate creation that truly takes the cake

Posted on March 5, 2018

For years, I was on a quest to find the best recipe for a chocolate cake. The cakes always looked moist, almost shiny, and delicious in book photos, but once I baked them, they’d fall short. They either dried out in one day or weren’t spongy or chocolatey enough to begin with. Then, I found this recipe online and adapted it for the menu at Acme Southern Kitchen. While most Southern chocolate cake recipes call for buttermilk, this cake uses Greek yogurt for the fat and acid component, and I think it is key to this recipe. Also, don’t skimp — use good chocolate. It makes all the difference. I made this cake using about every cocoa out there and found that the darker and the higher the quality, the better.  x Gavre is the owner of Café 222 and co-owner of Bankers Hill + Restaurant, peaceloveandmayo.com

The Perfect Chocolate Cake (and I’m not kidding)

Ingredients:
1¾ cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup gently packed dark brown sugar
1 cup high quality dark cocoa powder (I use Valrhona)
½ cup rye flour
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
9 oz brewed coffee (room temp)
6 oz canola oil
1 cup whole fat Greek yogurt, unsweetened
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp finely ground black pepper (trust me on this)
2 large eggs
1 tsp salt

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Butter and flour (or use cocoa) a 9 x 13 cake pan
3. Sift all of the dry ingredients, including chocolate, and set aside
4. In bowl of standing mixer combine yogurt, eggs and vanilla; mix on low until combined. Add half of dry ingredients, mix completely. Add half of the coffee and mix until combined. Add remaining dry ingredients, mix until combined, add remaining coffee, and mix until combined. Scrape bowl and mix another 30 seconds
5. Pour batter into prepared cake pan
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until cake is starting to split and toothpick comes out clean

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The Most Delicious Frosting

Ingredients:
3½ cups confectioners sugar
1 stick butter (room temp)
4 oz cream cheese (room temp)
1 cup Valrhona cocoa powder
½ cup milk (room temp)
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt

Directions:
1. Sift together confectioners sugar, cocoa powder & salt
2. Add butter, cream cheese, milk and vanilla extract
3. Mix on low speed until smooth, creamy and free of lumps