Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Buttercream, Chocolate Buttercream, and Mirror Glaze (Oh yes, this one is a bit impressive)

I said it was time to experiment and time to treat myself. The first thing I thought of was a beautiful chocolate cake with a strawberry buttercream. I was thinking about this cake for days before I decided that I should try a mirror glaze as well. Let me tell you that I am very glad that I decided to make this cake. I found an incredible recipe for chocolate cake*! I used the strawberry buttercream that I used for the macarons! I also made a chocolate buttercream for the outer layer and finished it with a mirror glaze! All of the recipe links will be below. I modified the chocolate buttercream slightly so I noted that below.

I started by baking my cake and letting them cool for about 20 minutes in the pan. I removed them from the cake pans and let them cool until room temperature on a cooling rack. I made my chocolate buttercream and placed it in the fridge to set and removed it from the fridge about 10 minutes before using. I followed the same process with the strawberry buttercream.

To assemble, I started with wax paper (this helped moving the cake from the plate to a rack for the mirror glaze). I started with one of my cake rounds. I heaped on my strawberry buttercream and a layer of diced strawberries. I placed this in the fridge for about 10 minutes. I pulled it out of the fridge, added the second layer of cake on top, and I frosted the top and sides with the chocolate buttercream. Once I was satisfied with the exterior, I placed this in the freezer overnight (about 7 hours).

The following morning I prepared the mirror glaze (as per the link below). Here are a few notes from the mirror glaze. Be careful with the temperature. It cooled a lot faster than I expected, so I had some lumps because it was too cool. Be sure to apply the glaze fast and as evenly as possible. Quickly make any changes after because the glaze sets quickly. Be sure to pour the glaze on the cake where it has something to drip on--the glaze is super sticky and makes a mess (I propped my cake on a bowl over a rimmed baking sheet. I have seen videos of people using a cooling rack and placing a baking tray underneath it). The glaze color shines through over a white buttercream if using lighter colors.

This cake had quite the involvement, but overall, I was very impressed with myself. I loved the cake and the buttercreams! This cake did not need the mirror glaze, but I thought it was fun to experiment with. I think the next time that I will use a mirror glaze is on a cake with not as much frosting as this one (something less sweet). I will for sure be making a chocolate cake with a layer of strawberry buttercream and strawberries and coated in chocolate buttercream again!

*I made one change with the cake. I used 1 cup of hot water mixed with instant coffee in replace of the boiling water.

Chocolate Buttercream

Ingredients:

• ½ cup softened butter

• 3 cups powdered sugar**

• ½ cup cocoa powder (slightly heaping)

• 6 tbsp milk**

• ½ tsp vanilla

• Pinch salt

Directions:

1. Add the butter to a stand mixer and beat until smooth on medium speed. Be sure to stop the mixture and scrape the bowl a few times.

2. Add in half of the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.

3. Add in half of the cocoa powder and beat until smooth. Add half of the milk and beat. Repeat with remaining cocoa powder and milk.

4. Add in remaining powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and beat until smooth.

**Add more powdered sugar if you want a thicker frosting. Add more milk for a thinner frosting.

Taste: 10/10 (without mirror glaze)

Notes for next time: The mirror glaze was pretty, but the cake would have been better without it. I think the mirror glaze added too much additional sweetness.

Original link for mirror glaze, chocolate cake, and strawberry buttercream!