A Moist Delicious Chocolate Cake, filled with a Mascarpone Cream Filling and then topped with Baci Chocolates. The perfect Birthday Cake for any and all Chocolate Lovers.
Chocolate Cake
Chocolate CakeAs usual it was a wonderful visit but of course one that ends much too soon. My eldest daughter Erika, came home to Italy for her 26th Birthday!
We miss her and we love her visits.
Birthday’s are also the day my kids choose their cake or at least the ingredients for their cake for me to make.
Her first choice was a Chocolate and Raspberry Cake, but unfortunately I could not find fresh or frozen raspberries anywhere.
So we went for the second choice which was a dark chocolate cake, but it definitely had to include her favourite Italian Chocolates. Not Ferrero Roche but Baci Perugina.
And of course I used my Creamy Whipped Cream, Mascarpone and Nutella Frosting. No over the top sweet Frostings for the Italians, they aren’t big fans of Butter Cream Frostings.
After celebrating with a few friends and family, the Chocolate Birthday Cake was served! And of course what’s Birthday cake without a scoop of ice cream?
This year she brought her friend Christina with her. Christina had never been to Italy so naturally discovering Rome was on the to do list.
They invited me along and of course I couldn’t say no, as I adore Rome.
The Roman Forum – The Roman Forum is a rectangular plaza that is surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings. In ancient Roman times this was known as the marketplace, “Forum Magnum” or “Forum”.
The first day we visited the usual, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain because throwing a coin in the fountain is a must, and of course Via del Corso, every shoppers dream street, we can dream at least!
But it was the second day that once again made me realize how much I love Rome. We headed off to see the Colosseum and the surrounding area.
Rome Campetelli
Walking up to the Colosseum
The Colosseum
Inside the Colosseum
The Games
I had never seen this area before and it was breathtaking as most of Rome is.
If you ever get a chance to visit Rome, then this is the must see district.
Be sure to buy your ticket to enter the Colosseum inside and not from the many and I mean many people trying to sell you a tour ticket all for the excellent price of 35 euros when you can buy the same ticket inside for 12 euros!
Imperial Forum
Rome Celio
And believe me they are really good at making it sound so worth your while, but trust me, I haven’t lived with the Italian for over 20 years to know it’s all a preso in giro (joke).
More Delicious Cake Recipes
And yes when we got back from our amazing day in Rome we enjoyed another piece of the delicious Chocolate Cake. Enjoy!
A Day in Rome and a Baci Chocolate Birthday Cake
Ingredients
CHOCOLATE CAKE
- 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- pinch salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup homemade buttermilk*
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (I use corn oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
*In a one cup measurement add one tablespoon of white vinegar then fill the cup with whole milk and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Stir to combine before using.
MASCARPONE CREAM FROSTING
- 1 1/2 cups whole/ heavy or whipping cream
- 1 cup mascarpone
- 1/4 cup Nutella
TOPPING
- 6 Baci Perugina Chocolates
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C) and grease and flour 2 8 inch cake pans.
CHOCOLATE CAKE
- In a large bowl sift together the flour, corn starch, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Then add the sugar and whisk together, add the eggs, buttermilk, warm water, oil and vanilla beat on medium speed until smooth, approximately 2 minutes.
- Divide the batter between the two prepared pans and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool, then remove from pans.
MASCARPONE CREAM FROSTING
- In a medium bowl beat together until very thick the cream and mascarpone. Fold in the Nutella until streaks form. It only takes a 4 or 5 foldings.
PUTTING IT TOGETHER
- Remove the tops of the cakes to form flat layers. Place one layer on a plate and top with 1/4 of the frosting, place the other layer on top and spread almost all the remaining frosting (leave approximately 1/2 cup to form rosettes on the top to hold the baci chocolates, I used a 1M tip) over the cake, including the sides. Top with rosettes and Baci chocolates. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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Natalie says
Hi again, Rosemary!
Thanks for your tip below. One other question for you: how much should I increase this recipe if using two 9-inch pans?
Also, so excited when I saw that you are sometimes based in Toronto – me too! Home sweet home :-).
Thanks for your help again!
Rosemary says
Hi Natalie, your welcome, glad it helped. I wouldn’t increase it, in an 8 inch pan the layers were quite thick and it will work in a 9 inch also, just that it will be a bit thinner. Yes home sweet home is right, can’t wait to go back. 🙂 Have a wonderful Sunday.
Natalie says
I’m sorry, Rosemary. Natalie again. I have one last question (hopefully 3rd time is the charm! ;-)) I promise this is my last question.
Tomorrrow is the big bake day! I’ve tested half the recipe baking just the cake to taste (BTW, it’s delicious with the dutch cocoa powder- very rich!) I guess I’m nervous about how it will turn out because it’s my 1st chocolate cake! I usually make cheesecakes that have to chill overnight.
What do you recommend? Can this cake be made the night before – with frosting and all – and chilled in the fridge overnight? Or is it better to frost the cake on the day of? Thank you so much again!
Rosemary says
Hi Natalie, I hope I’m not too late but you can make it the night before, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap while it is still warm, but not hot (to retain as much moisture as possible) and ice the next day, when the cake is still cold, then bring it to room temperature before serving. Hope that helps. Let me know how it goes. Take care.
Natalie says
Thanks for mentoring me on this chocolate cake! I appreciate all of your answers, Rosemary. It turned out great :-).
Rosemary says
Hi Natalie, so happy you enjoyed it. Take care.
Natalie says
Hi there! This cake looks amazing and I’d like to make for an upcoming birthday.
Can I use dutch processed cocoa powder in this recipe or is it best to stick to unsweetened? Just asking because I’ve recently heard about the darker dutch cocoa!
Grazie! 🙂
Rosemary says
Hi Natalie, thanks so much and yes you can use dutch processed cocoa powder.Let me know how it turns out. Have a great week.
Maria says
Hi Rosemary! Love your recipes. I l also love Rome, visited with my sister last year and miss being able to travel. I’m planning to make myself a birthday cake soon. 🙂 Just want to make sure, when you say homemade buttermilk, the notes say “*add one tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of buttermilk and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir to combine before using.” Did you mean one tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of regular milk? Or is the vinegar added to buttermilk to make it more sour?
Thank you in advance!
Rosemary says
Hi Maria, yes, sorry about that, I corrected it it should be in a one cup measurement add one tablespoon of vinegar and fill with whole milk. And Happy Birthday!
Maria says
Thank you so much!
Iku says
Hi Rosemary,
I made this cake for my husband’s birthday a few days ago. It was amazing and we all loved it! Mascarpone frosting was just perfect, so much creamier and lighter than regular chocolate whipped cream and with just enough sweetness from Nutella. We live in Rome so are still pretty much in lockdown as you know but this cake made his birthday a special one! Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe!
Iku says
Sorry I thought my previous comment didn’t get through so I sent another message and now both came through all of a sudden and there are two almost identical messages! Oops. Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful recipe and let you know how much my family loved it 🙂
Rosemary says
Thanks Iku, so glad you enjoyed it. Happy Birthday to your husband. Take care.
Vidushi says
Omg, this look so yummy! I’m craving for this right now, need to try this!
Rosemary says
Hi Vidushi, thanks I hope you like it.
Stefania Scat says
Rosemary:
I just came across this recipe. I have your book and make so many of your recipes and love them all. I just wanted to ask a question about this cake (Chocolate Baci Birthday Cake). Is 3 Tablespoons of oil correct? Most recipes have at least 1/2 cup for this size cake and I was wondering if it was accurate?? Thank you in advance for your response.
Rosemary says
Hi Stefania, thanks so much and glad you enjoy the book. Yes 3 tablespoons is correct. I hope you enjoy it.
Renata says
Fabulous, moist delicious cake!!!
Rosemary says
Hi Renata, thanks so much.
Susan says
Looks so good thinking of making it for Christmas we are a big Italian family and I think they would love it, some relatives are allergic to nuts, can you leave the nuttela out of the frosting?
Rosemary says
Hi Susan thanks, yes you could leave the Nutella out. Maybe you could fold in some cooled melted chocolate (let it get cool and thick first). Hope that helps. Let me know how it goes. Merry Christmas.
LEE says
can not wait to try this cake .we still have family living in Rome.My granddaughter was just married in Italy.can not beat Italy. Have a wonderful holiday LEE
Rosemary says
Hi Lee, thanks so much and I hope you enjoy the cake. Glad you enjoyed your stay here. And a Happy Holiday to you too. 🙂
lee says
Visting family in FL.my granddaughter sent me an early Christmas present because won’t be back in New York for the holiday too my surprise it is your cookbook some of your desserts yummy Thank you happy holiday BOUN NATALE
Rosemary says
Hi Lee, thanks so much, I hope you enjoy the book and have a wonderful Christmas. Buon Natale e Buon Anno!
Denise says
Made this cake fo my sons birthday. Very good. I could have put the icing in a cup and just eaten that!🤪 Thanks for some FABULOUS recipes
Rosemary says
Hi Denise, thanks so much and haha I know that frosting is gooood! Have a great week and Happy Birthday to your son. 🙂
Diane says
I just made this cake and it was so delicious. Thanks so much and I love the photos of Rome, some day I hope to visit.
Rosemary says
Hi Diane, thanks so much so glad you enjoyed the cake and I hope one day you do visit Rome. It is so beautiful. 🙂
Ellen says
The Roman Forum is my favorite place in Rome. But so many amazing, beautiful places. We also loved Castel Sant’Angelo! Rome is amazing!
Love all your recipes.
Rosemary says
Hi Ellen, I totally agree, it was so beautiful. And thank you so glad you enjoy the recipes.