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1
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 325F.
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2
Butter and flour two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides.
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3
Line bottoms of pans with parchment paper rounds.
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4
Stir chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until smooth.
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5
Remove from over water.
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6
Cool to barely lukewarm.
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7
Sift flour and next 4 ingredients into medium bowl.
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8
Whisk milk and yogurt to blend in small bowl.
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9
Using electric mixer, beat brown sugar, butter, and lavender in large bowl until smooth.
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10
Beat in eggs, 1 at a time.
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11
Beat in melted chocolate until smooth.
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12
Mix in dry ingredients alternately with milk mixture in 3 additions each.
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13
Divide batter between prepared pans.
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14
Bake cakes until tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
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15
Cool cakes in pans on racks 15 minutes.
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16
Turn cakes out onto racks; remove parchment and cool completely.
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17
Stir 8 ounces chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until smooth.
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18
Cool until barely lukewarm but still pourable.
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19
Mix cocoa powder and 7 tablespoons water in heavy small saucepan.
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20
Stir over medium-low heat until smooth and thick but still pourable, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if necessary.
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21
Cool.
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22
Beat butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, and orange peel in large bowl to blend.
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23
Add melted chocolate, vanilla, and salt; beat until smooth.
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24
Beat in cocoa mixture.
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25
Gradually add remaining 3 2/3 cups powdered sugar and beat until frosting is smooth.
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26
Mix in Grand Marnier.
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27
Place 1 cake layer on platter.
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28
Spread 1 1/2 cups frosting over top of cake.
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29
Top with second cake layer.
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30
Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake, swirling decoratively.
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31
Mound chocolate curls in center of cake.
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32
(Can be made 1 day ahead.
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33
Cover with cake dome and refrigerate.
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34
Let cake stand at room temperature 2 hours before serving.)
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35
*Dried lavender blossoms are available at natural foods stores and at some specialty foods stores and farmers' markets.