Looking for a decadent dessert to impress your family and friends? This easy homemade Brooklyn Blackout Cake recipe features rich chocolate and moist cake made with simple ingredients, perfect for a quick weeknight treat, save for later and indulge in its goodness.

Brooklyn Blackout Cake Recipe

Introduction

The Brooklyn Blackout Cake is a classic dessert that originated in the 1920s at Ebinger’s Bakery in Brooklyn, New York. This rich, mocha-flavored cake is a masterclass in balance and flavor, with a deep, velvety chocolate taste that’s offset by a subtle coffee note. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make, using everyday ingredients that you might already have in your pantry. With its impressive results and minimal effort required, this cake is perfect for special occasions or everyday treats. So why not give it a try and experience the magic of Brooklyn’s favorite dessert?

Why This Works

Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: The combination of chocolate, coffee, and sugar creates a deep, rich flavor profile that’s both decadent and balanced. Plus, the ingredients are easy to find and work with.
Ease of preparation: Despite its impressive appearance, the Brooklyn Blackout Cake is relatively simple to prepare. The cake itself is a straightforward mix-and-bake affair, while the frosting and filling require just a bit of extra effort.
Impressive results with minimal effort: The end result is a stunning, multi-layered cake that’s sure to impress your friends and family. And yet, it requires surprisingly little effort to achieve – just be sure to follow the instructions and take your time.

Key Ingredients

To make the Brooklyn Blackout Cake, you’ll need a few key ingredients. These include:

For the cake: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, whole milk, large eggs, and pure vanilla extract. You’ll also need some strong brewed coffee to give the cake its distinctive mocha flavor.

For the frosting and filling: unsalted butter, confectioners’ sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and heavy cream. You can also add some chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the filling for extra texture and flavor.

Luckily, these ingredients are all easy to find and work with. If you don’t have any unsweetened cocoa powder on hand, you can substitute it with a mixture of melted chocolate and sugar. And if you’re not a fan of coffee, you can omit it or substitute it with a different flavor ingredient – although keep in mind that the coffee is a key part of the cake’s traditional flavor profile.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare three 9-inch (23cm) round cake pans by greasing them and lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth. Stir in the brewed coffee.
Step 3: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: To make the frosting and filling, beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the cocoa powder and heavy cream, and beat until well combined. To assemble the cake, place one of the cooled cakes on a serving plate and spread a layer of frosting on top. Repeat with the remaining two cakes, creating a stacked effect. Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining frosting, and decorate as desired.

Handy Tips

To ensure that your cakes are evenly baked and flat on top, make sure to rotate the pans halfway through the baking time. You can also use a cake leveler or a serrated knife to level the cakes once they’re cool.
If you’re not a fan of strong coffee, you can reduce the amount of brewed coffee in the recipe or substitute it with a different flavor ingredient. Keep in mind that the coffee is a key part of the cake’s traditional flavor profile, so it’s up to you to decide how much to use.
To make the cake more stable and easier to serve, you can insert a wooden dowel or a plastic cake support into the center of the cake. This will help prevent the cake from toppling over or collapsing, especially if you’re serving it at a large gathering or event.

Heat Control

The Brooklyn Blackout Cake requires a moderate oven temperature of 350°F (180°C) to bake the cakes. To ensure that your cakes are evenly baked and cooked through, make sure to check them after 25 minutes and then every 5 minutes thereafter. A toothpick inserted into the center of each cake should come out clean, and the cakes should be firm to the touch and slightly springy.

Crunch Factor

The Brooklyn Blackout Cake is a moist and tender dessert, with a delicate crumb that’s offset by the richness of the chocolate and the creaminess of the frosting. To achieve this texture, make sure to not overmix the batter, and don’t overbake the cakes. You can also add some chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter to give the cake a bit of crunch and texture.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

To make the cake more efficient to prepare, you can bake the cakes ahead of time and freeze them for up to 2 months. Simply thaw the cakes at room temperature or in the refrigerator, then frost and assemble the cake as desired.
To make the frosting and filling more stable and easier to work with, you can add a bit of corn syrup or honey to the mixture. This will help prevent the frosting from becoming too soft or runny, and will give it a smoother, more even texture.
To make the cake more visually appealing, you can decorate it with chopped nuts, chocolate shavings, or fresh flowers. You can also add a bit of writing or piping to the top of the cake, using a contrasting color to make it stand out.

Storage Tips

The Brooklyn Blackout Cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, or wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 2 months. To freeze the cake, simply place it in a freezer-safe bag or container and store it in the freezer. To thaw, simply leave the cake at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight.
To keep the cake fresh and moist, make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also store it in an airtight container, such as a cake keeper or a large Tupperware container.
If you’re serving the cake at a large gathering or event, you can consider setting up a dessert table or a cake station. This will allow your guests to serve themselves and customize their own slices, and will add a fun and interactive element to the party.

Gift Packaging Ideas

The Brooklyn Blackout Cake is a stunning and impressive dessert that’s perfect for special occasions and gifts. To package the cake as a gift, you can consider using a decorative cake box or a gift tin. Simply place the cake in the box or tin, and decorate it with ribbons, bows, or other embellishments. You can also include a gift card or a personalized note, to make the gift even more special and meaningful.

Flavor Variations

🌟 Different spices: To give the cake a unique and interesting flavor, you can try adding different spices to the batter. Some options might include cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom, which will add a warm and aromatic flavor to the cake.
🌟 Creative toppings: To add some extra texture and flavor to the cake, you can try using creative toppings such as chopped nuts, chocolate shavings, or fresh flowers. You can also use a bit of writing or piping to add a decorative touch to the top of the cake.
🌟 Ingredient swaps: To make the cake more interesting and dynamic, you can try swapping out some of the ingredients for different options. Some ideas might include using different types of milk or coffee, or substituting the unsweetened cocoa powder with melted chocolate or carob powder.

Troubleshooting

Texture problems: If the cake is too dense or dry, it may be due to overmixing the batter or overbaking the cakes. To fix this, try reducing the mixing time or the baking temperature, and make sure to check the cakes frequently to avoid overcooking.
Ingredient replacements: If you’re missing any of the ingredients or want to try a different flavor profile, you can consider substituting them with other options. Some ideas might include using different types of milk or coffee, or substituting the unsweetened cocoa powder with melted chocolate or carob powder.
Over/undercooking signs: To ensure that the cakes are cooked through and evenly baked, make sure to check them frequently during the baking time. A toothpick inserted into the center of each cake should come out clean, and the cakes should be firm to the touch and slightly springy. If the cakes are undercooked, they may be soft or soggy in the center – while overcooked cakes may be dry or crumbly.

FAQs

Can I freeze it? Yes, the Brooklyn Blackout Cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. Simply place the cake in a freezer-safe bag or container, and store it in the freezer. To thaw, simply leave the cake at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight.
Is it gluten-free? No, the Brooklyn Blackout Cake contains gluten due to the presence of all-purpose flour. However, you can try substituting the flour with a gluten-free alternative, such as almond flour or coconut flour – although keep in mind that this may affect the texture and flavor of the cake.
Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can double the recipe to make a larger cake. Simply multiply all of the ingredients by two, and adjust the baking time as needed. Keep in mind that a larger cake may be more prone to cracking or breaking, so be sure to handle it gently and carefully.

Conclusion

The Brooklyn Blackout Cake is a classic dessert that’s perfect for special occasions and everyday treats. With its rich, mocha-flavored cake and creamy chocolate frosting, it’s a true showstopper that’s sure to impress your friends and family. So why not give it a try and experience the magic of Brooklyn’s favorite dessert? Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this cake is sure to become a new favorite – and with its easy preparation and impressive results, you’ll be hooked from the very first bite.

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