Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake with Mousse Filling and Chocolate Frosting

I've posted this Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake once before, but I am posting it again as I have added a mousse filling that brings this cake to an entirely new level.  It is very rich, chocolaty and elegant. If you want a cake that's made to impress, give serious consideration to this beauty. 

The flavor of this cake is over the moon good.  You will think you are riding the tail of a comet, taking you to the place where chocolate dreams are made and come true.  You will not want to come back.

Trust me.
I kid you not.

Ole Sweetie-Pi and I were invited to spend the weekend with his older sister, Susan (who, in her own right, is an excellent cook) and her Significant Other.  I am a little intimated by her.  Susan is the eldest and is accustomed to being In Charge.  I, too, am the oldest sibling in my family and accustomed to being In Charge.  However, as she's had more practice at being the eldest, I am not in charge. Ole Sweetie-Pi and Susan have a family member who was referred to as Fort Gra-Gra.  Apparently, this is a dominant gene that is passed on to the females in the family; this gene does not skip generations.


When this cake was served, and the first forkfuls passed everyone's lips, I waited...and waited for a reaction. Silence...a moment of reverence.  Smiles broke out around the table.

I get to be in charge of making the chocolate cake from now on.



To begin, make the mousse and set aside in the refrigerator.  Bake the cake and mix the frosting.  (Recipes to follow.)  When the cake is baked, let cool thoroughly, and then cut in half horizontally. I think it might be a good idea to slightly freeze the layers for ease in handling.  Place one of the cake layers on your serving plate and pipe a dam of frosting around the circumference of the cake.
 

Fill inside the inside of the dam with a generous portion of that gorgeous mousse and smooth. 

Do this with the remaining layers, leaving the top of the cake plain as it will be frosted.



Frost the outside and top of the cake with the frosting. Decorate as desired; I don't have any real cake decorating skills, but I have dressed this up with chocolate covered strawberries when strawberries were in season. Refrigerate any extra mousse and frosting.  Finished cake should also be refrigerated and taken out just before serving time. 

Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cups Hershey's cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Heat oven to 350* Fahrenheit.  Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

Combine dry ingredients into large bowl.  Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla.  Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.  Stir in boiling water.  (Batter will be thin.)  Pour into pans.

Bake 30-35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks.  Cool completely.

"Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine
2/3 cup Hershey's cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Melt butter.  Stir in cocoa.  Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on medium speed to spreading consistency.  Add more milk if needed.  Stir in vanilla.  About 2 cups frosting.

Chocolate Mousse

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups cold, heavy cream, plus an additional 1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup granulated white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a medium saucepan, combine the confectioners' sugar and 1/2 cup heavy cream.  Stir over low heat. 

Add the semisweet chocolate chips, stirring frequently as they melt and the mixture becomes well blended.

Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and set this mixture aside.

In a separate, large bowl, beat the remaining 1 1/2 cup heavy cream on medium speed and gradually add the granulated sugar.  When all the sugar has been incorporated, beat the mixture on high speed until stiff peaks form.

Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture, taking care not to overmix.  Refrigerate for at least one hour before using on your cake.

77 comments:

  1. This is a stunning and decadent cake! I probably would have eaten all of the mousse filling before it made it to the cake.

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    1. Does this cake have to be made in so many layers?

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  2. Oh Katy, I would love a slice of this!!! I have no sweets in my house right now! Can you believe that?

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  3. Fort Gra Gra, huh? I would be intimidated by that, too!

    That cake looks so delicious, rich & decadent.

    Ironically, I made a chocolate ganache cake today for my son's 22nd birthday. The actual cake wasn't from scratch, though. :)

    By the way, I LOVE The way you decorated it. It's beautiful!

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  4. Oh boy Katy!! This looks so darn delicious I could taste intercake. Mmmmm. Outstanding. Right now I don't have time to print out the recipe but later this evening when I'm back online to do my quizzes, I will definitely print this recipe out. Thanks for sharing and your are one heck of a baker. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. My, oh my. This is one of the most delicious sounding cakes ever. I can't wait to try this when company comes. Maybe I can also be in charge of chocolate cake from now on. Thanks again.

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  6. This looks so delicious, love those layers with the delicious frosting. Very tempting and powerful enough to break all diet resolutions.

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  7. Four layers and mousse and swirls....sitting here with mouth open. That is a regal cake, Katy.

    I don't need a large cake but I might just borrow the mousse part and use it in a smaller cake.

    On the other hand, I am on my way, to your house. I just can't wait.

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  8. WOW!!!! This looks amazing katy!!

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  9. Oh, this is an ultimate chocolate cake for sure!

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  10. Oh, My - This is the most amazing, ultimate chocolate delight! My family will love this - thank you for sharing!

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  11. I want to ride on that comet Katy! What a chocolate dream come true! Your definitely in charge!

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  12. Gorgeous cake, Katy. I'll be dreaming about eating it and I'll dream that it is calorie free.
    Mimi

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  13. Oh my Katy, that is some cake! I love that you are NOW in charge...when it comes to cakes. Oh you are so funny the way you relate the whole visit. Love that you wowed them with the cake...that would do it for me to! You can take charge in my kitchen any day!

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  14. LOL, great post Katy! I smiled the whole time I read it. I can relate to being "In Charge" as I'm the only girl out of 6 boys. I did have an older step brother and another one my age I was still "In Charge".

    I'll be keeping this cake in mind for when I'm "In Charge" of the chocolate cakes. :)
    ~ingrid

    Btw, I noticed that Coleen posted a roasted chicken tutorial. Did you tell her I was chicken about roast chicken? LOL! :)

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  15. wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...i feel like grabbing the whole cake...lovely cake..its too awesome awesome...i luv this ...:)

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  16. Wow, I'll be dreaming about this cake tonight for sure, Katy...it's gorgeous! And it looks like you do have some decorating skills-seriouly, this cake looks amazing!

    And you are sooo clever...now you're in charge of the cake! LOL

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  17. Your cake looks perfectly decorated to me! I am going to keep this recipe in mind for the next time I need a special chocolate cake!

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  18. I love that dark color of the cake... the color talks to the richness and taste of the cake... it is perfectly decorated as well...

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  19. Wow!!!! Simply amazing, I am simply drooling over it. Great cake and to good to hear that you are INCHARGE now.

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  20. That is a thing of beauty and a work of art! WOWie!

    My verification word is: Subwhale..I wonder if thats what I would turn into if I ate this cake all to myself!

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  21. This looks sensational and I loved the story...perfect....it is ALL in the taste. The cake is gorgeous.

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  22. Remembering how good this cake tastes and then imagining it with mousse. OMG!!!! I'm the eldest, too, and I know just what you mean about alpha-gal meeting alpha-gal.

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  23. BEEEutiful! Love that flavor description.

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  24. One of my favorite cakes! I've made the cake and frosting but you have taken it to a new level with the mousse. Now I will just have to try that. Katy, it looks just fantastic!!!

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  25. This was the first recipe i tried for chocolate cake,always loved it..Liked ur simple mousse recipe Katy..gonna try that soon...yummy cake.....

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  26. Soooo tempting and mouthwatering...

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  27. This is it, Katy. You don't need to ever find another chcolate cake. This is THE one - decadent, chocolatey-to the upteenth, goeey,moussey- and beautiful! Kudos!

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  28. Hi Katy,
    Pass me a knife and fork, sweetie, I want to it all! This looks gorgeous, I wish I could make such a lovely cake!
    Glad you're back!
    Cheers

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  29. This cake looks unbelievably good! The frosting looks so professional.

    I have still not been able to get a handle on layer cakes...hopefully some time soon.

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  30. you had me at the title, but then pushed me over the edge with those pictures! have mercy, what a delicious cake!

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  31. I have made Hershey's perfectly chocolate cake. It is a delish recipe. I never tried it with mousse filling. That's a great idea. I could use a piece right now.

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  32. I bet you saw smiles all around the table :) That cake looks absolutely beautiful and unbelievably heavenly! I most definitely could go for a slice right about now!!!

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  33. This is my staple chocolate cake recipe - it makes amazing Smores cupcakes, too!

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  34. The minute that I read what you were up to in your kitchen in my side bar, I knew that I was going to love it! I do. This is fabulous!

    I'm the oldest of three sisters. I get it. : )


    Thanks for another wonderful recipe.

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  35. I think they did good putting you in charge of this. What could be more important that chocolate cake??

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  36. I also love to use mousse as a spread! This chocolate cake looks incredible!

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  37. This cake looks so amazing. I am going to have to try it. Thanks for giving us your recipe. I see in your other blog that you like old time recipes. Have you ever heard of a book (smallish one) called "Old Timey Recipes".

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  38. WOW... what a great looking cake.. special occasions indeed, but what a great cake!

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  39. Ok Katy, I may not have left 2 comments but I have looked at this cake 3 times and I am making it this weekend for my birthday!!! I can't wait to try the chocolate mousse! The whole cake looks delicious, I can't wait!

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  40. What a fabulous cake Katy..you did a fantastic job on that..

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  41. I love the riding on the tail of a comet part! :D

    I also love all of the yummy layers!

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  42. I made this very cake a couple of weeks before Christmas and have yet to post it. It is SO good, and yours turned out fabulous!

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  43. The flavor of this cake is over the moon good. I will think I am riding the tail of a comet, taking Me to the place where chocolate dreams are made and come true. I will not want to come back.

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  44. This cake looks outstanding. I was actually thinking to make cupcakes with a mousse filling...this recipe will work...really well... :)

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  45. We have an old saying when something is just over the top....This is one make you want to slap your momma cake-holy cow!!! I would be in a blissful coma.

    Katy, seriously this cake is just stunning. Wow!

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  46. Oh my GOSH Katy, that is the BEST version of the Hershey's Cake I have EVER seen!

    And you're not even that fond of chocolate, right? Bless your heart for doing such a beautiful job! I'm glad your cake went over so well ~ and that you proved who is "In Charge"!

    It is stunning, my friend. xo

    P.S. I had to giggle... we have the same kind of "In Charge" hierarchy in my family, too. However, I can take no blame as I'm the youngest, but it's sometimes fun to watch. hehe!

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  47. Hi Katy. I had to come back and lick the screen. Your cake looks so delicious. I have to make it and soon. Just stopped by to say have a great weekend and thx for stopping by my blog. Take care, recipe woman.

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  48. OMGoodness, this looks wonderful!!!

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  49. This is one perfectly perfect cake. It looks incredibly good. I'm sure the family was impressed. I know I am. Have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary

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  50. Wow...yummilious, nice step by step pictures...very inviting, tempting indeed:)

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  51. That cake looks excellent. I was looking back on your blog and saw the stew with hoisin sauce. Definitely giving that a try soon.

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  52. I bet the mousse did take it to a whole new level. I have made this cake also and love it. I bet it WOULD be over the moon good!

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  53. I really need chocolate.. really need it now.. this looks sooo good! Great photos and tips!

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  54. This is truely seducing, honey! Gosh, I want to have a slice awefully!

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  55. Oh my! 4 layers? Chocolate mousse? Chocolate frosting? Amazing! This is a to-die for cake! I'm printing this one out. Gorgeous and decadent and luscious all rolled into one.

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  56. Katy, I made your cake tonight!! I don't think I can blog this cake though because it's sitting in my trifle pan because I didn't follow all the rules.... I only let my mousse sit in the fridge for an hour and my cake was still warm when I put the mousse and frosting on. It was a mess, the layers slipped and slid all over the place. It is one of the best cakes I've ever had though! The mousse is AMAZING and the chocolate frosting is PERFECT!! I may give in, take a picture of my 1/2 eaten trifle cake and blog it..... or I may just make another pretty one this weekend ,-)
    GREAT RECIPE!!

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  57. i just made this for my younger brothers birthday, the mousse was amazing! thanks for the recipe :)

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  58. I did a google search yesterday looking for a excellent chocolate mousse cake recipe to bake for my mother's birthday, and I found this. I am so excited to make it, it looks and sounds amazing. My mom is a huge chocolate on chocolate on chocolate fan so I am hoping to really WOW her! Thanks for sharing.

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  59. I made this cake Saturday evening and after cooling I added the mousse and a crumb catcher frosting layer. I completed frosting ( and covered the whole thing in dark chocolate shavings ) Sunday and then shared. EVERYONE and I mean everyone LOVED this cake. I received requests to make it for others birthdays! Thank you thank you for sharing this Devine cake recepie. As my 5 year old said, it is scrumptious. Truly scrumptious!

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  60. Very good info. I certainly enjoyed the way you explore your experience and knowledge of the subject! Thanks for the share.

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  61. Magnifique,Bravo,This recipe is scrumptious,absolutely lovely.

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  62. I always use this Hersheys cake recipe. I will try the mousse filling. I use a regular butter cream frosting as I feel the chocolate is just too much even for this chocolate lover.

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  63. Oh, I love this cocolate cake recipe. LOVE it. It is devoiured everytime I make it. I was looking for a mousse for it and found this. I'm making it tonight.

    It may not make it to the intended function tomorrow.

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  64. I just made this cake for my 10 year old daughter's birthday, and it was scrumptious!! My father-in-law ate two pieces and took some home. I shared it with my neighbor, and now she is making it for her daughter's birthday. It is very moist and light, which is not the case with many homemade cakes. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe - it is one of our favorites now!!

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  65. Happy birthday to your daughter! And it's always good with the FIL likes your cooking too :) I've made this cake many times over the years and have loved it every time. The mousse filling makes it special and a little fancy, and just says I LOVE YOU!

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  66. I'm making it for Thanksgiving. Made it years ago, when we lived near the Hershey Chocolate Plant in Oakdale, CA. That's where I got the recipe.

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    1. I'm seeing this cake and now I want some. It's one of those recipes that will endure the test of time, isn't it?

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  67. I just baked this today!!!!! Oh my gish she is right. Its like perfect her ingredients are just perfect. I cant believe it... i have pictures and videos on my instagram if u guys want to see if its truely this amazing. (: im so happy. Ny husband about died over it...

    Instagram name.. fuelledfuhrman

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    1. Smiles. It's a reputation maker that's for sure!

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  68. How does the mousse filling stand up to being sliced? Does the cake try to collapse any under the weight of the cake levels?

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    1. Actually pretty good. What I've started doing is using those wooden dowels that professional cake bakers use to hold the cake in place. Works like a charm!

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  69. Awesome recipe very yummy. There is only two of us so I cut up half of it in individual slices wrapped each piece in plastic wrap and froze them. So when I wanted sweets it was great to open up the freezer and have a little piece of cake :)

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  70. I would like to use the mousse in a cake that will be covered in fondant. Will the mousse hold up if it is out of the refrigerator for the course of a party?

    Thank you!

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    1. I think so. I've made it for a co-worker's birthday and left it out for several hours awaiting the big doings and it was okay.

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  71. I would like to use the mousse for a fondant decorated cake. Will the mousse hold up is the cake is left out for the duration of a party?

    Thank you!

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