Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

By

  • 10

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups hot strong brewed coffee
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon plus 1⁄4 tsp. salt, divided
  • 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup mayonnaise (such as Duke’s)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
  • 1 1/4 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream, divided
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, divided

Preparation

Step 1

Whisk together hot coffee and cocoa  in a bowl. Let stand until room temperature, about 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) round cake pans.

Step 2

Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and 1⁄2 teaspoon of the salt in a bowl. Combine granulated sugar and eggs in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in mayonnaise and 1 1⁄2 teaspoons of the vanilla on low speed. Alternately add flour mixture and coffee mixture  to egg mixture in 5 additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs, 22 to 25 minutes.

Step 3

Cool cake layers in pans on a wire rack 20 minutes. Remove cake layers from pans; cool completely on rack, about 30 minutes.

Step 4

Place chocolate chips, light corn syrup, and 3 tablespoons of the heavy cream in a microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH until smooth, about 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds. Let stand until room temperature, 10 minutes.

Step 5

Combine butter, remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon salt, 2 cups of the powdered sugar, and remaining 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla in bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer; beat on low speed until smooth. Beat in chocolate mixture on low speed until smooth. Beat in remaining 2 cups powdered sugar and, if needed, remaining 1 tablespoon cream, 1 teaspoon at a time until spreadable consistency is reached.

Step 6

Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate. Spread 1⁄2 cup frosting over top. Top with second layer; spread 1⁄2 cup frosting over top. Top with third layer. Spread remaining frosting over sides and top of cake.

How to Make It

Step 1

Whisk together hot coffee and cocoa  in a bowl. Let stand until room temperature, about 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) round cake pans.

Step 2

Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and 1⁄2 teaspoon of the salt in a bowl. Combine granulated sugar and eggs in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in mayonnaise and 1 1⁄2 teaspoons of the vanilla on low speed. Alternately add flour mixture and coffee mixture  to egg mixture in 5 additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs, 22 to 25 minutes.

Step 3

Cool cake layers in pans on a wire rack 20 minutes. Remove cake layers from pans; cool completely on rack, about 30 minutes.

Step 4

Place chocolate chips, light corn syrup, and 3 tablespoons of the heavy cream in a microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH until smooth, about 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds. Let stand until room temperature, 10 minutes.

Step 5

Combine butter, remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon salt, 2 cups of the powdered sugar, and remaining 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla in bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer; beat on low speed until smooth. Beat in chocolate mixture on low speed until smooth. Beat in remaining 2 cups powdered sugar and, if needed, remaining 1 tablespoon cream, 1 teaspoon at a time until spreadable consistency is reached.

Step 6

Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate. Spread 1⁄2 cup frosting over top. Top with second layer; spread 1⁄2 cup frosting over top. Top with third layer. Spread remaining frosting over sides and top of cake.