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1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly brush two 9-inch-round cake pans with vegetable oil.
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2
Line the bottom of the pans with parchment paper, then lightly oil the paper.
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3
Combine 2 tablespoons each potato starch and cocoa powder in a small bowl.
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4
Dust the prepared pans with the potato starch mixture, tapping out the excess.
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5
Sift the matzo cake meal and the remaining 1/2 cup potato starch and 2/3 cup cocoa powder into a bowl.
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6
Put the eggs, granulated sugar and salt in a stand mixer bowl.
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7
Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is hot (110 degrees F to 120 degrees F), about 5 minutes.
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8
Attach the bowl to the stand mixer base and beat with the whisk attachment on high speed until very light and foamy, about 5 minutes.
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9
Whisk 1/3 cup vegetable oil, the food coloring and vanilla in a small bowl.
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10
Reduce the mixer speed to low; gradually beat the cocoa mixture into the egg mixture, then gradually beat in the oil mixture until just incorporated.
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11
Turn off the mixer and finish folding the batter with a rubber spatula until combined.
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12
Divide the batter between the prepared pans, smoothing the tops.
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13
Bake until the cakes pull away from the pans and the centers spring back when pressed, about 30 minutes.
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14
Transfer to a rack and cool 15 minutes in the pans, then run a knife around the edges to loosen.
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15
Invert the cakes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let cool completely; peel off the parchment.
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16
Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with a mixer on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
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17
Reduce the speed to low and gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar, then the vanilla.
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Increase the speed to high and beat until smooth and fluffy, about 3 more minutes.
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19
Transfer 1 cake layer to a platter and spread with 1 1/2 cups frosting; top with the second cake layer.
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20
Cover the whole cake with a very thin layer of frosting (this is the crumb coat; it doesn't have to be perfect).
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21
Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
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22
Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting, then return to the refrigerator until set, 1 to 2 hours.
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23
Tip: For the best texture, be sure to use matzo cake meal (not matzo meal) and kosher potato starch.
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24
Photograph by Con Poulos