What you'll learn
Ingredient Essentials
Understanding Dutch-process vs. natural cocoa
Choosing between all-purpose, cake, and bread flour
Role of oil vs. butter for moisture
Batter Techniques
Creaming method for light layers
One-bowl “melted-chocolate” method for dense cakes
Whipping egg whites for chiffon-style chocolate cake
Baking & Structure
Oven temperature calibration and its impact on rise
Tips for level cakes: pan prep, baking strips, and testing doneness
Troubleshooting: sunken centers, gummy crumbs, uneven tops
Fillings & Frostings
Crafting silky chocolate ganache (TABLE BELOW)
Whipped chocolate buttercream vs. Swiss meringue buttercream
Simple whipped cream and mousse fillings
Decoration & Assembly
Stack and level layers with a cake comb and turntable
Smooth crumb coat, final coat, and ganache drip techniques
Simple piping (star tips) and fresh-fruit accents
Frosting Type Key Ingredients Best Use Case
Chocolate Ganache Equal parts dark chocolate & cream Drip cakes, glossy finishes
Swiss Meringue Buttercream Egg whites, sugar, butter, cocoa Stable layer cakes, rosettes
Whipped Chocolate Buttercream Butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, milk Light filling, quick spreads