Death By Chocolate Cake is an absolute show-stopper! It is the perfect dessert after reading a murder mystery like Bound For Murder.

My daughter-in-law, Sarah, saw this recipe on Delish.com. Lucky for me, she enlisted her husband/sous chef, Joe, to make this at my house this past weekend. It is TO DIE FOR!!

Death by Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CAKE
Cooking spray
4 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. granulated sugar
1 c. packed brown sugar
2 1/4 c. Dutch-processed cocoa powder
3 tsp. baking soda
3 tsp. baking powder
Pinch of kosher salt
1 1/2 c. melted butter
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2 c. strong black coffee
2 1/2 c. buttermilk
1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract

FOR THE FROSTING
3 c. butter, softened
7 1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 1/4 c. cocoa powder
1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt
3/4 c. heavy cream (plus more if necessary)
4 c. semisweet chocolate chips, divided

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°. Line three 8” round cake pans with parchment and grease with cooking spray.

Make cake: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, whisk together melted butter, eggs, coffee, buttermilk, and vanilla. Gradually whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients until smooth. Divide batter evenly among the cake pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool completely on wire racks before removing from pans.

Make frosting: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt. Beat in heavy cream (adding more by the tablespoon until consistency is creamy but can hold peaks). Frost cake between layers, and then cover the entire cake with frosting. Using your hands, cover the entire cake with 3 cups chocolate chips, using more if needed.
In the microwave, melt the remaining 1 cup chocolate chips, then drizzle melted chocolate over the cake and serve.

*Optional, as shown in the photo, reserve crumbs from trimming cake and add to the top of the cake in lieu of chocolate drizzle.