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Decadent Darth Vader Dark Chocolate Layer Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting

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A rich, moist dark chocolate layer cake balanced with a salty-sweet salted caramel frosting, perfect for special occasions and Star Wars fans alike.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened dark cocoa powder
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk (or almond milk for dairy-free)
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar (for caramel)
  • 6 tablespoons (90g) unsalted butter, cubed and room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream, warmed
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • 1½ cups (180g) powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to blend evenly.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients and mix gently with a spatula or mixer on low speed until just combined.
  5. Carefully stir in boiling water; batter will be thin.
  6. Divide batter evenly into prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.
  8. To make salted caramel, melt granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until deep amber.
  9. Add butter carefully (it will bubble), then slowly whisk in warm cream until smooth.
  10. Remove from heat and stir in sea salt. Let cool to room temperature.
  11. Beat powdered sugar into cooled caramel until spreadable consistency is reached; add cream if needed.
  12. Place one cake layer on serving plate, spread a generous layer of caramel frosting.
  13. Top with second cake layer and frost top and sides.
  14. Optionally, pipe or stencil a Darth Vader mask outline using extra frosting or melted chocolate.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and rise. Sift cocoa powder to avoid clumps. Stir sugar constantly when making caramel and add butter and cream quickly to prevent hardening. Chill cakes before frosting to avoid crumbling. Store frosting airtight in fridge for 3-4 days and warm gently before use. Parchment paper prevents sticking. Caramel can be made ahead and refrigerated.

Nutrition

Keywords: dark chocolate cake, salted caramel frosting, chocolate layer cake, Darth Vader cake, Halloween cake, chocolate dessert, party cake

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/decadent-darth-vader-dark-chocolate-layer-cake-recipe-with-salted-caramel-frosting/