Favorite Fudge Birthday Cake

I'd seen this on KAF and came here to post and was lucky enough to find you'd already done it. I do hope you try it as it's one awesome, rich, chocolaty cake for all those chocoholics out there. I made it for my DGSs 12th b-day and what a hit. At first I had a major problem (it was something I did) made it and used the 8" pans with the high sides - but it didn't rise at all. I came out with this flat little pancakes with an awesome flavor. I must have forgotten to put something in but don't know what. At any rate, made a 2nd round and added recipe#448857 which I use often in my cakes and came out with two great, towering cakes. I used all 4 of the layers (even the flat pancakes as they tasted good) and then followed the filling - with just vanilla extract added - and the frosting. Put the entire cake in the fridge to harden the frosting. It was wonderful, if very rich and everyone was so impressed. Not something I'd make a lot with all those calories, but a wonderful special occasion cake that DGS was so pleased with.<br/>As an update, still love this cake - make again for a chocolate loving nephew and this time frosted with a fudge frosting. Amazing

My 10-yr old daughter has made this cake twice now and it has been AMAZING both times! After the first time, she swore never to use that junk in a box ever again. Between the coffee and the dutch cocoa (do NOT substitute with natural cocoa, else science tells us that your cake will be blander, lighter and less fudgie) this cake is incredibly rich and chocolaty! It's also super fudgy and moist. Last time we made it we tried using wet towels around the pan and the result was more moist edges and a more level cake. We used white buttercream frosting both times inside and out and it was fabulous. She even won 3rd prize in a small local baking competition with this recipe. Thanks!

This is a wonderfully delicious cake! It was a big hit at the birthday party I took it to. And in my case, it's wonderfully delicious even without the espresso powder because I forgot to add it. It's best to see the recipe on the King Arthur site ([url=http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/favorite-fudge-birthday-cake-recipe]Favorite Fudge Birthday Cake[/url]) because the directions have more detail. I didn't have 8" pans, so I had to use 9" pans. I'm going to buy some 8" pans because the layers will be higher. They slice easily with a serrated knife. I added Framboise (raspberry flavor) to the filling but couldn't really taste it in the finished cake. Next time around, I may try a stronger flavor.

This cake is awesome! I cut it in half but also used eight inch cake pan. Cut it in half and did the filling and frosting on top of the second layer. So moist and delicious.