Decadent Sliced Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Buttercream and Fondant Decor

Sliced Cake (Torta a Fette)

Category: Desserts
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cake Base:
   Begin by chopping the dark chocolate into small pieces. Heat the milk over medium heat, and slowly add the sugar, stirring continuously until it dissolves and the mixture is smooth. Transfer this mixture into a stand mixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment. Let it cool to lukewarm.

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2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
   Add the eggs to the cooled mixture one by one, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, slowly add the flour and baking powder mixture, one spoonful at a time, while mixing gently with a spatula. Continue to fold the ingredients from the bottom upwards, ensuring an even batter.

3. Bake the Cake:
   Pour the prepared batter into a rectangular baking tin (20×25 cm) and bake until the cake is fully set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool.

4. Prepare the Buttercream:
   While the cake is cooling, prepare the buttercream. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar, heating gently until the sugar completely dissolves. Monitor the temperature, making sure the syrup reaches 121°C. Meanwhile, place the egg yolks in a stand mixer bowl and beat them until fluffy. Add the seeds from the vanilla bean and continue to whip until the mixture is creamy.

5. Assemble the Cake:
   Once the cake has completely cooled, cut it into two layers. Slice each of these layers horizontally into three equal parts. Spread a layer of buttercream evenly on one of the base layers using a spatula. Then, carefully place the second layer of cake on top, and cover the entire cake with more buttercream, smoothing it out evenly on the top and sides.

6. Cover with Fondant:
   Dust your work surface with powdered sugar and roll out the sugar paste (fondant) with a rolling pin to an even thickness. Gently drape the fondant over the layered cake, smoothing the surface with a cake smoother. Trim off any excess fondant using a sharp knife to achieve a clean edge.

7. Slice and Decorate:
   Cut the cake into 6 slices, each about 4.5 cm thick, resulting in 12 pieces from the whole cake. Use colorful sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, and edible decorations to add creative designs to each slice. You can also use edible markers to draw additional details on top of the fondant.

8. Serve and Enjoy:
   Once the decorations are complete, your beautifully sliced cake is ready to serve! Enjoy the delightful layers of chocolate cake and buttercream, each slice perfectly adorned with festive touches.

Notes:

• This cake is perfect for celebrations or special occasions, thanks to its intricate layers and beautiful decorations.
• If you prefer a different flavor, you can swap out the vanilla bean for any other flavoring of your choice, such as almond or orange zest.
• The sugar paste (fondant) can be colored using food-grade colorants for additional customization.