Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake

Instructions:
1. Make the Cake:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing and flouring two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, and beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until well combined. Gradually stir in the boiling water; the batter will be quite thin, but that’s perfectly fine.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans, ensuring that each is filled to about the same level. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Once baked, let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
2. Prepare the Raspberry Filling:
While the cake is cooling, prepare the raspberry filling. In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh raspberries, sugar, cornstarch, water, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes a smooth, jam-like consistency. Once thickened, remove the saucepan from heat and allow the raspberry filling to cool completely.
3. Make the Chocolate Ganache:
For the chocolate ganache, start by placing the chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. In a separate saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer—do not let it come to a boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 2 minutes to soften the chocolate. After 2 minutes, stir the mixture until smooth and glossy. Mix in the unsalted butter until it is fully melted. Let the ganache cool until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
4. Assemble the Cake:
Once the cake layers have cooled and the raspberry filling and ganache are ready, it’s time to assemble the cake. Place one layer of the chocolate cake onto a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of the cooled raspberry filling over the cake layer. Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the filling. Pour the rich chocolate ganache over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides, creating an elegant finish.
For an extra touch of elegance, you can garnish the cake with fresh raspberries and chocolate shavings.
Conclusion:
The Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake is a divine dessert that pairs the richness of chocolate with the tart sweetness of raspberries. Its velvety chocolate ganache adds a luxurious finish, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion. Whether you’re a chocolate lover, a fan of fruity desserts, or both, this cake promises to deliver a memorable dessert experience. Enjoy every bite of this indulgent creation!