-
1
Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and heat the oven to 350u00b0F.
-
2
Butter three 9x2-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment. Butter the parchment.
-
3
In a large bowl, using an electric hand-held mixer, briefly blend the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt on low speed.
-
4
Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla and mix at low speed, scraping the bowl as necessary, until the mixture is thick and creamy, like chocolate frosting, about 5 minutes.
-
5
With the mixer running, gradually add the hot coffee, mixing at low speed just until combined. The batter will be quite thin. Divide the batter equally among the pans.
-
6
Bake, switching positions and rotating the pans halfway through, until a tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out with only a few crumbs clinging to it and the center feels firm to the touch, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the cakes cool completely in the pans on racks.
-
7
Clean and chill the mixing bowl and whisk attachment.
-
8
In a measuring cup, stir the instant espresso into the whiskey until completely dissolved.
-
9
In the chilled bowl, whip the cream, brown sugar, and whiskey mixture on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.
-
10
Run a thin knife around the inside edge of the cake pans and turn the cakes out onto a large cutting board; peel off the parchment.
-
11
Transfer one layer to a cake plate and spread a third of the whipped cream on top, leaving a 1/2-inch border; repeat with the second layer.
-
12
Put the top layer in place and spread the remaining whipped cream out to the edge.
-
13
To make the chocolate shavings, put a piece of waxed paper or foil on a baking sheet.
-
14
Microwave each block of chocolate on medium power for 20 to 30 seconds to soften slightly, then draw a vegetable peeler along the chocolate bar's edge, letting the curls fall onto the waxed paper. Make enough curls of both colors to top the cake generously, 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 oz. each. Refrigerate the shavings to make them easier to handle.
-
15
Arrange the shavings on top of the cake and serve.
