A Piece of Cake

Prep time: 20 min

Cook time: 30 min

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups/256 g all-purpose flour

• 1 cup/200 g sugar

• 3/4 cup/3 g baking cocoa

• 1 tsp/5 ml baking soda

• 3 tsp/15 ml baking powder

• 1 tsp/5 ml vanilla extract

• 1 cup/200 g mayonnaise

• 1 cup/250 ml brewed coffee, cold GANACHE:

• 8 oz/160 g semisweet chocolate, chopped

• 1 cups/250 ml heavy whipping cream

• 1/2 tsp/2.5 ml vanilla extract

GLAZE:

• 8 oz/160 g semisweet chocolate, chopped

• 3/4 cup/180 ml heavy whipping cream

• 1/4 cup/57 g butter, cubed

*These can also be done with vegan alternatives

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line the bottoms of 2 7-inch round baking pans with parchment paper and grease the paper. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, and baking soda. Beat in mayonnaise, coffee, and vanilla. Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool for 10 minutes or until completely cooled before assembling.

2. For ganache, place chocolate in a bowl. Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it's boiling. Pour over chocolate, letting the milk melt the chocolate for 5 minutes. With a whisk, mix until smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Turn off the heat and cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate, covered, until cold. Beat ganache just until soft peaks form, 15-30 seconds (do not overbeat).

3. Place 1 cake on a serving plate cutting the top part carefully to create a smooth flat surface. Spread with half of the filling and top with the other cake. Make sure you also cut the domed top of the cake to create a smooth surface (you can flip it so the bottom of the cake is at the top) Frost top of cake with ganache leaving the sides "naked" In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate, cream and butter. Microwave at 50% power for 1-2 minutes or until chocolate is melted. Cool it by stirring occasionally. Drizzle over cake, allowing some to flow over sides.

4. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving so the glaze can set. You can decorate with chocolate pieces, sugar pearls and even a wind of powder sugar like Yoongi did. Enjoy!