Recipe: Godiva Ultimate Chocolate Layer Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

GODIVA ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

2 cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 ounces unsalted butter
1 1/3 cups sugar
3 large eggs
3 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, divided use
Shaved chocolate (for garnish)
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Cream the butter and sugar and add the eggs one at a time beating after each addition.

On low speed, stir in the chocolate and gradually add the milk and 1/2 cup Godiva Liqueur; beat until smooth. Divide the batter among the prepared cake pans.

Bake in preheated 375 degree F oven for 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a rack to completely cool.

Chill the layers in the freezer for about 30 minutes, until firm.

TO ASSEMBLE THE CAKE:
Remove the cake layers from the freezer and brush with the remaining Godiva Liqueur before spreading 3/4 cup of Buttercream Frosting between each layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, which has been placed on a serving plate.

Serve immediately, or refrigerate if necessary. If refrigerating, remove 1 hour prior to serving. Garnish with shaved chocolate.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1/3 cup Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

Cream the butter until smooth. Sift the confectioner's sugar and cocoa powder over the butter, add 1/3 cup Godiva Liqueur, and slowly mix until smooth.

Makes 1 (9-inch, 3-layer cake), 12 servings
Source: Godiva Liqueur Drink and Dessert Collection