chocolate truffle cake

How To Make chocolate truffle cake

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  Step 1
  FOR CAKE: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 3 9-inch layer cake pans (I use Wilton, they are the best). Cut out circles of wax paper and line bottom of pans. If you have Wilton Bake-Even Cake Strips, use them. If not, you will have to level cakes after they are cooled.
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  Step 2
  Combine boiling water and cocoa. Stir until smooth. Set aside in the fridge to cool.
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  Step 3
  Cream butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla at high speed of an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 5 min is perfect).
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  Step 4
  In a separate bowl combine flour, soda, baking powder, and salt.
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  Step 5
  Alternately add flour.
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  Step 6
  Then cocoa mixture beginning and ending with flour.
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  Step 7
  Do not overbeat or cake will be tough!
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  Step 8
  Pour batter into prepared pans.
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  Step 9
  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 or until top springs back. Do not overbake!
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  Step 10
  Cool in pans 10 minutes.
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  Step 11
  Then flip out onto a large plate and put in the freezer. Don't worry, I know what I am doing. This keeps the cakes from falling apart and won't leave crumbs in your icing.
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  Step 12
  GANACHE FILLING: Place the chocolate into a medium bowl.
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  Step 13
  Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil. Watch very carefully because if it boils for a few seconds, it will boil out of the pot.
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  Step 14
  When the cream has come to a boil, pour over the chocolate chips.
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  Step 15
  Whisk until smooth.
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  Step 16
  Stir in the Grand Marnier and the orange zest.
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  Step 17
  Transfer hot chocolate to a relatively deep stainless steel bowl and immerse it into a bowl of ice water. Then whip with a hand mixer until it is thick and fluffy.
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  Step 18
  Once it is desired consistency, take out of ice bath or it will continue to harden; set aside.
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  Step 19
  SATINY CHOCOLATE FROSTING: Combine chips, milk, and butter in a LARGE saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth.
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  Step 20
  Remove from heat; blend in powdered sugar.
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  Step 21
  Set the pan (or transfer to a mixing bowl) into an ice bath; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer.
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  Step 22
  Stop occassionally to scrape down the sides. Mix until frosting is fluffy and holds its shape.
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  Step 23
  It should make a peak with a spoon and hold it. Remove from ice bath or it will continue to harden!
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  Step 24
  CAKE ASSEMBLY: Remove frozen layers from the freezer and put on a platter lined with wax paper strips to catch the mess. Place the first cake and spoon about half of the ganache.
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  Step 25
  Place the next cake on top of the ganache layer.
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  Step 26
  Spoon the rest of the ganache on top.
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  Step 27
  Place the last cake on top. Frost the top with the satiny chocolate frosting first. Then start on the sides. Smooth top as much as possible with a flat knife dipped in hot water.
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  Step 28
  Take your chocolate jimmies (chocolate sprinkles). Gently take your hand and press them into the sides only. Continue until you have gone all he way around. Gently remove the wax paper strips and discard. Put remaining filling into a piping bag and pipe 12 medium size swirls on top of the cake. I used a #21 tip. Space them out before you start piping to make sure you get 12 and they are even. Top each swirl with a Lindt chocolate truffle and a white chocolate truffle, alternating. If the bottom of your cake is messy where you pulled out the paper, you may use the same tip to pipe a border around the base of the cake.
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  Step 29
  Chill in the refrigerator immediately. Before serving, let the cake set out at room temperature 30 minutes so the chocolate will soften back up slightly. Enjoy!
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  Step 30
  ALTERNATE GARNISH: Pipe a border around top and bottom lip of cake. Take Pirouette creme filled wafers and line them up around the sides of cake. (They do not have to be all the same height). Add M&M's to the middle of the cake . ***Finished Cake #2 in my photo #2 made in (3) 9-inch pans. Serves at least 14, huge cake.
• Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!