French chocolate cake

1 cup butter, softened at room temperature

1 cup  white granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 large eggs

1 cup  milk, lukewarm

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup  cocoa powder

4 tsp ) baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

For  Custard:

1 large egg yolk

6 tbsp  white granulated sugar

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp  water

¾ cup milk

2 tsp all-purpose flour

2 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp unsalted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

For French Buttercream click here: 

For Chocolate Cake: preheat oven to 350F/177C. Line three, 8-inch (20-cm) baking pans with parchment paper and spray the sides with a baking spray. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar and vanilla for a few minutes, until fluffy. Then add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. 

In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder. Mix together, then sift into the cake batter to get rid of any clumps. Using a hand whisk, mix the flour into the batter just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix the batter! Divide the batter evenly between the three prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 28 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool completely before assembling cake.

For Custard: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, sugar, cornstarch and water for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture is smooth; set aside. Combine milk and flour in a medium-sized saucepan. Cook the milk, whisking constantly, until the milk is steaming hot but not boiling. Temper the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture, adding it slowly and whisking.

Once the two mixtures are combined, pour the custard base into the saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until the mixture thickens into a custard and holds its shape on the back of the spatula. Whisk the custard vigorously to get rid of any clumps. Remove the custard from heat and vanilla and butter. Whisk until the butter is completely melted. Cover the custard with plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator to cool completely.

To assemble the cake, first cool the cake layers and custard completely. Prepare the buttercream while waiting. Transfer half of the buttercream into a pastry bag tipped with a star tip; I used Ateco tip no 847. For each layer, first pipe a barrier ring of the frosting around the edge, then fill the center with the custard. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Add dollops of frosting on top and garnish with chocolate pieces.

Keep cake refrigerated. Remove the cake from the fridge a few hours before serving, allowing the cake to thaw and warm up.