Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling

A while ago, I made this Oreo Crusted White Chocolate Mousse Torte for my brother's High School Graduation.  Wouldn't you know, that same brother is having a birthday, and I just had to make something fabulous.  Since I bragged all about him in the previous post (which he probably never read, and probably never will read, so I can always just Deny, Deny, Deny!), I'll keep it simple here.  I love my brother.  He is awesome.  Happy Birthday, Stephen!

I usually don't go for three layer cakes.  Holy cow.  I only have four people to feed!  Who's going to eat the extra layer!?  However, since this cake had to be fabulous (and since my brother can eat the extra layer) I decided to spring for a triple decker.  The filling is a luscious cream cheese filling which is firm enough not to squish out the sides (I was worried about that!).  The frosting is a rich and delicious chocolate frosting using melted chocolate.  This entire concoction is to die for.  Dense, moist, rich, chocolatey, and with the perfect touch of cream cheese.  Fabulousness achieved.


Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling


Cake:
2 1/2 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons Nutella
1 cup milk
1 1/4 cups hot water
1 cup mayonnaise
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt


Cream Cheese Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
5 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 Tablespoon sour cream
1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar


Dark Chocolate Frosting:
8 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips, melted
2 1/2 sticks butter, room temperature
4 Tablespoons Nutella
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Chocolate sprinkles for garnish, if desired


Preheat the oven to 350F.  Grease 3 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds.  Grease the parchment paper, set aside.


In a medium microwaveable bowl, combine the chocolate chips, nutella, and milk.  Heat in the microwave for about 1 minute, or until the milk is steaming, but not boiling.  Remove from the microwave and let sit for a minute or two.  Stir gently until combined, then add the hot water and set aside.


In a large bowl, or with a stand mixer, beat together the mayonnaise, eggs, vanilla, and sugar until well blended and smooth.  Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and the milk/chocolate mixture.  Beat together until combined and smooth. Divide the batter equally among the three pans.  


Bake the cakes for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven and place on cooling racks for about 10 to 15 minutes.  Turn out the cakes onto the cooling racks and peel the parchment paper off the bottoms of the cakes.  Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.


For the cream cheese filling, in a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth.  Add the powdered sugar and beat until well blended and smooth.


For the dark chocolate frosting, beat together the butter, nutella, and vanilla.  Add the powdered sugar and beat until combined and smooth.  Add the melted chocolate and beat until well blended.


To assemble the cakes, place a small dab of frosting on the cake platter to hold the bottom layer in place.  Place the first cake layer on the plate and spread with half of the cream cheese filling.  Place the second cake layer on top of that and spread with the rest of the cream cheese filling.  Place the last cake layer on top of that.  Spread the dark chocolate frosting over the top and sides of the cake.  If desired, press the chocolate sprinkles onto the sides of the cake.  Makes a 9-inch 3 layer cake, about 12 to 16 servings.


Enjoy!  -Cardamommy