Chocolate Suit Cake

why make this recipe

Chocolate Suit Cake is a fun and creative dessert that not only tastes great but also looks like a dapper gentleman in a full suit! This cake is perfect for birthday parties, weddings, or any special occasion where you want to impress your guests. The combination of rich chocolate flavor and beautiful decorations makes it a wonderful centerpiece. Plus, who doesn’t love chocolate?

how to make Chocolate Suit Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup hot water
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Fondant (white for the shirt, brown for the suit and tie)
• Cocoa powder (for dusting and shading)
• Edible glue or melted chocolate

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and hot water to the dry ingredients. Beat the mixture for 2 minutes until well combined.
4. Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
6. For the ganache, heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until it starts to simmer. Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips. Let sit for a few minutes, then whisk until smooth. Let the ganache cool until it thickens.
7. Prepare the cooled cake layers by leveling them with a knife if needed. Place one layer on a serving platter and spread some ganache on top. Place the second layer on top and cover the entire cake with a crumb coat of ganache.
8. After the crumb coat sets in the fridge, apply a thicker layer of ganache on the cake.
9. Use rolled fondant to create details like the shirt collar, suit lapels, and tie. Dust with cocoa powder for shading and make small fondant details like buttons and a pocket square.
10. Roll out letters from fondant for a message like "Happy Birthday" and attach them to the cake. Chill the cake until you’re ready to serve it.

how to serve Chocolate Suit Cake

Serve Chocolate Suit Cake chilled, sliced into wedges. It looks impressive on a cake stand, and you can add additional decorations or a scoop of ice cream on the side for an extra treat.

how to store Chocolate Suit Cake

Keep the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness. It should last for about 3-4 days. If you need to store it for longer, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to a month.

tips to make Chocolate Suit Cake

• Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before mixing; this helps the batter come together smoothly.
• Use a cake leveler to evenly cut the tops of the layers for a nicer presentation.
• If you’re new to using fondant, make sure to knead it well before rolling it out to avoid cracks.
• Don’t rush the ganache cooling process; letting it thicken will make it easier to work with.

variation

You can experiment with fillings by adding chocolate mousse or fruit layers like raspberries between the cake layers. Different flavored ganaches or using different colored fondants can also make the cake unique.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different flavor of cake?
Yes, you can make a vanilla, red velvet, or any other flavor of cake instead of the chocolate base.

2. Is fondant hard to work with?
Fondant can be tricky at first, but with practice, it becomes easier. Make sure to work in a cool area and knead it well.

3. How can I make the cake less sweet?
You can reduce the amount of sugar in the cake and use dark chocolate for the ganache, which has a richer flavor and less sweetness.