Guinness Stout Cake
from Elaine (wetexit), 3/4/04:
This is (she says modestly) the best chocolate cake recipe on the planet. Thank you Ireland!
Chocolate Stout Cake
cake :
2 c stout (Guinness) (one can is nearly 2 c. I add a bit of water to make the difference)
2 c unsalted butter
1 1/2 c cocoa (the best you can get, double dark dutch from KA is very good)
4 c all purpose flour
4 c sugar
1 T baking soda
1 1/2 t salt
4 eggs
1 1/3 c sour cream
Preheat oven to 350º; butter 3 8-inch round cake pans, line the pans with parchment paper, butter the paper (it works if you just flip the paper over after setting it down the first time) Don't skip this step.. really.
Combine stout & butter in a heavy saucepan..bring to a simmer. Whisk in cocoa until smooth, set aside to cool. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. In a large bowl beat together the sour cream & eggs, add stout mixture to egg mixture and beat well to blend. Slowly add in flour mixture, combine completely.
Divide batter among 3 pans, bake for about 35 minutes until they pass the toothpick test. Cool in pans 15 minutes, then cool completely on racks. Make ganache while cake cools.
ganache:
2 c heavy cream
1 lb bittersweet chocolate, chopped
Bring cream to a simmer in a heavy pan, add in chocolate, stir with a whisk until melted & smooth. Refrigerate until spreadable, stirring every so often to check consistency. Should be ready in under 2 hours.
Place first layer on serving plate, spread ganache over the top, place second layer on first, etc for all 3 layers.. then coat the sides with ganache.
Serves 12, spectacular garnished w/ fresh raspberries and mint leaves, a touch of whipped cream...
I like to make the 3 layers then treat each layer as a "stand alone" cake, as the whole 3 layers together are waaaay too much for one person; plus that leaves me with two extra cakes to give to friends! Wrapped in a couple layers of Saran, they will hang out in the freezer for a few months.