Fun and festive, these mini chocolate cakes are perfect for any celebration. Made with spongy cake layers and silky cream cheese filling, topped with rich chocolate ganache. Chocolate lovers' dream come true.
Course Dessert
Cuisine International
Keyword chocolate, chocolate cake, mini chocolate cakes
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 35 minutesminutes
Servings 12mini cakes
Author Milena M
Ingredients
Chocolate cake
130mlMilk,1/2 cup
1tbspVinegar
260gAP Flour,2 cups
1tBaking Powder
½tBaking Soda
¼tSalt
50gCacao Powder,1/2 cup
200gRaw cane sugar or White sugar,1 cup
125gSour Cream,1/2 cup
2Eggs
50mlOlive oil
60mlEspresso,double shot
1-2tVanilla extract
Cream cheese frosting
200gCream cheese
70gPowder sugar,1/2 cup
30mlHeavy cream,2 tbsp
25gCacao powder
1tVanilla extract
Chocolate ganache
125gdark chocolate, chopped
60mlHeavy cream4 tbsp
1-2tbspSprinkles,optional
Instructions
Chocolate cake
Preheat the oven to 325F(160C)
Add vinegar to the milk and let it sit for a few minutes till it gets a bit thicker and become buttermilk, or just use buttermilk instead.
In a bowl sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cacao powder. Then add the sugar. Mix together.
In a separate bowl combine sour cream, the milk/vinegar mixture or buttermilk, eggs, olive oil, espresso, and vanilla. Whisk everything well.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet and gently fold. Transfer to an 8x8"(20x20cm) square baking dish lined with parchment paper(or oiled) and bake for 45 min. or till a toothpick comes out clean. Note: Every oven is different so start checking after 30 min.* If you want to make one round cake I suggest 8"-9" (20-23cm) size springform.
Take out of the oven when ready and let it cool on a cooling rack.
Cream cheese frosting
In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand-mixer combine cream cheese, powder sugar, heavy cream, cacao powder, and vanilla. Mix till smooth.
When the cake is completely cooled slice it into two layers and add the cream cheese frosting, spreading it evenly. Place the other half on top and gently press. At this point, you can cut it into individual pieces, or add the ganache first and then slice.
Chocolate ganache
Chop the chocolate very fine and add to a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and let it melt, stirring occasionally till melted. Note:Make sure water doesn't get inside the bowl or it will seize the chocolate. To do that, make sure the water doesn't touch the bowl and it's not boiling too hard, but just simmering. The steam from the water is enough to melt the chocolate. *For other options on how to make chocolate ganache check the post section above.Add the heavy cream to the melted chocolate and whisk it till smooth. Spread it over the cake. If you desire sprinkle shaved chocolate on top, sprinkles, or leave it as it is. Enjoy!