Directions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare three 8-inch cake pans by greasing and lining the bottoms with parchment paper. For extra tenderness, consider wrapping damp cake strips around the pans.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This tremendous mixture ensures your cake layers rise beautifully. Set this aside.
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Combine the milk, vinegar, and vanilla in a measuring cup. The acidity from the vinegar will work wonders in achieving that moist texture. Set this aside too.
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In a large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, vegetable oil, and mayonnaise together until they form a smooth, creamy mixture. Add in the eggs and egg yolk one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
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Stir in the prepared milk mixture, then gradually incorporate half of the dry ingredients until just combined. Next, pour in the hot coffee, whisking until smooth, and finish with the remaining dry ingredients to create a thin, luscious batter.
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Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The tremendous aroma of chocolate will fill your kitchen!
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Once baked, allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. After that, carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
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For the frosting, start by beating the unsalted butter in a mixing bowl until it is smooth and creamy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt.
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In a separate bowl, dissolve the cocoa powder in warm water, then add this mixture to the frosting, mixing until thoroughly combined. Finally, fold in the melted chocolate until the frosting is perfectly smooth.
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Chill the frosting for about 45 minutes to thicken it slightly. Give it a gentle stir until it’s smooth again and ready for spreading.
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Ensure your cake layers are completely cool. Level the tops of the cakes if needed. Start with one layer, spreading a generous amount of frosting on top, stacking the next layer, and repeating with the remaining layers. Chill the stacked cake for about 20 minutes to help set the layers before applying the frosting to the sides and top.
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Allow the completed cake to set in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Once set, slice and enjoy this tremendous creation that is guaranteed to impress!
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