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1
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE Preheat the oven to 350.
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2
Line two 9-by-2-inch round cake pans with wax paper and grease the paper.
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3
In a large bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
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4
In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, chocolate and 1/2 cup of water and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until smooth.
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Let cool slightly, stirring occasionally.
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6
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and egg yolks until blended.
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7
Gradually beat in the chocolate mixture.
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8
Beat in the dry ingredients in two batches, alternating with the milk, until smooth.
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Beat in the vanilla.
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(The batter will be rather thin.)
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In a medium bowl, using clean beaters, beat the egg whites until barely firm.
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Stir one-third of the whites into the batter.
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Fold in the remaining whites until incorporated.
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14
Scrape the batter into the two prepared pans.
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15
Bake the cakes in the bottom third of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
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16
Let the cakes cool for 15 minutes, then remove from pans and place right side up on racks to cool completely.
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17
In a saucepan, melt half of the chopped chocolate in the heavy cream over moderately low heat, stirring.
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18
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and remaining chopped chocolate until smooth.
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19
Scrape the ganache into a bowl and refrigerate until chilled, at least 3 hours or overnight.
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20
Using an electric mixer, briefly beat the ganache until thick enough to hold its shape.
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Do not overbeat or the ganache will become grainy; if it does, melt it again over low heat and then beat it once more.
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22
Peel off the paper from the cake layers.
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Place 1 layer right side up on a cake platter and spread 1 scant cup of the whipped ganache on top.
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Place the second cake layer upside down on top of the filling.
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Spread the sides and top of the cake evenly with the remaining whipped ganache.
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26
If desired, reserve about 1/2 cup of the ganache for decorating as follows: using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip, pipe simple stars or a scallop trim around the top or the base of the cake.
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27
Sprinkle the grated chocolate all over the top of the cake.
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To serve, slice gently with a serrated cake knife.