Ingredients

The following ingredients have 12 Servings
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon gelatin
  • 2 cups heavy cream, cold
  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
  • 4-5 tablespoons bourbon, to taste
  • 6 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, room temperature
  • 1 cup chopped or crumbled chocolate wafer or sandwich cookies

Instruction

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottoms of 3 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper; butter parchment and sides of pan.In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat sugar and eggs on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until lightened in color.Combine the hot water, cocoa powder, instant coffee, and salt; stir to combine. With mixer on low speed, slowly pour into mixer bowl. Continue to mix on low speed until incorporated.Add flour, baking soda, and baking powder and mix on low speed until just incorporated. Mix in oil, buttermilk, and vanilla, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Do not overmix. The batter will be quite thin.Divide batter among prepared pans. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.Let cool on wire racks. If necessary, run a thin metal knife around the edges of the pans to loosen, then invert onto wire racks. Cakes should come out cleanly. Let cool completely. At this point you can wrap cakes in plastic wrap and seal inside zip-top bags, store in the freezer overnight or until ready to use (frozen cakes will be easier to assemble).To prepare whipped cream, fill a small dish with 2 tablespoons cold water. Sprinkle over gelatin and let sit for 5 minutes to soften. Microwave for 5 seconds to melt, stirring gently to smooth out any chunks, then set aside to cool.In a cold metal mixing bowl, whip cream on high speed until frothy. Add sugar and cooled gelatin and continue to whisk until cream holds soft peaks. Add bourbon to taste and whisk until cream holds stiff peaks. Refrigerate until ready to use.To prepare ganache, combine chopped chocolate and cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on half power for 15 seconds at a time, stirring well after each interval. Continue to microwave until chocolate is just melted; the residual heat of the mixture should be enough to melt it completely. Let cool until slightly thickened but still pourable. If your ganache is on the thick side, whisk in a tablespoon or two of butter, cut into small cubes, to thin out the ganache as desired.To assemble, place one layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Top with 1/3 of whipped cream, spreading to within 3/4″ of the edge (it will squeeze out when you add the other layers). Drizzle with 1/3 of ganache, and sprinkle with crumbled cookies. Repeat with second and third layers, finishing with the remaining whipped cream, ganache, and crushed cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Cake is best enjoyed the same day it is assembled, but will keep, covered in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.