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Decadent Tuxedo Bar Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 57 reviews

This Decadent Tuxedo Bar Cake is a rich, multi-layered chocolate dessert that combines moist chocolate cake layers with creamy mousse and tangy cream cheese filling. Topped with a smooth ganache and elegantly decorated with truffles and a rolled cookie wafer, this impressive cake is perfect for special occasions or to wow any guest with its luscious flavors and beautiful presentation.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Cake

  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter (cubed)
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1/3 cup Unsweetened Dark Cocoa Powder
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 1/2 cups Light Brown Sugar (packed)
  • 2 teaspoons Espresso Powder (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fine Grain Sea Salt
  • 1/2 cup Buttermilk (room temperature)
  • 2 large Eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Mousse and Cream Cheese Filling

  • 1 cup Heavy Cream (divided)
  • 1/2 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
  • 4 oz Cream Cheese
  • 3 oz White Chocolate (melted and cooled slightly)
  • 1/3 cup Unsalted Butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon Lemon Juice (optional)
  • 1/3 cup Confectioners’ Sugar

Ganache

  • 1 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 tablespoon Sunflower Oil

Frosting and Decoration

  • 1/2 cup Confectioners’ Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Milk
  • 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • 2 tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1 Rolled Cookie Wafer
  • 3 Fancy Chocolate Truffles

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line your cake pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Make the Chocolate Base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cubed unsalted butter, water, and unsweetened dark cocoa powder. Stir until melted and glossy, then allow to cool slightly.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, baking soda, fine grain sea salt, and espresso powder if using, ensuring even distribution.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the cooled melted butter and cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined.
  5. Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and creamy, taking care not to overmix.
  6. Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly into prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool Cake: Remove cakes from the oven, let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  8. Prepare Chocolate Mousse: Whip 1 cup of heavy cream to stiff peaks, then carefully fold in 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips for texture.
  9. Make Cream Cheese Mixture: Blend together cream cheese, melted white chocolate, confectioners’ sugar, 1/3 cup unsalted butter, and lemon juice until the filling is smooth and creamy.
  10. Assemble Layers: Alternate layers of chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, and cream cheese mixture to build the cake, ensuring even layering for balanced flavor.
  11. Prepare Ganache: Heat semisweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and sunflower oil until fully melted and smooth, then pour over the assembled cake. Allow it to set for a glossy finish.
  12. Make Frosting: Mix confectioners’ sugar, milk, unsalted butter, and cocoa powder into a creamy frosting and pipe it around the base of the cake.
  13. Decorate: Top the cake with rolled cookie wafer and 3 fancy chocolate truffles for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

  • Room temperature ingredients help ensure even mixing and better texture in the cake.
  • Using espresso powder is optional, but it intensifies the chocolate flavor significantly.
  • If you prefer, gluten-free flour can be substituted for all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version.
  • Allow the ganache to set properly at room temperature or refrigerate briefly for best results.
  • The frosting around the base not only adds flavor but also secures decorations for a polished look.

Keywords: Chocolate cake, mousse cake, tuxedo cake, decadent dessert, layered cake, chocolate ganache, cream cheese filling

Find it online: https://annakocht.com/decadent-tuxedo-bar-cake-recipe/