Gluten Free Birthday Cake with Chocolate Frosting - Page 3

For the frosting (**See Note):
Sift together the cocoa powder and powdered sugar to remove any lumps. Set aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer or the paddle attachment of your stand mixer, cream together the melted chocolate and butter until smooth.
Add the vanilla, reduce speed to low, and gradually add the flour and cocoa powder mixture until fully combined.
Slowly add the buttermilk until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. You may need slightly more or less.

For the buttery crumb coating:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Using a serrated knife or wire cutter, trim the top of each cake off to make a flat surface.

Take the tops that you cut off, crumble into smaller pieces into a cake pan or baking sheet.
Drizzle the melted butter over the crumbs and toss to coat.
Place in the oven, and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until browned and dried out, stirring and continuing to break the crumbs down smaller as they get crispy, about every 5-10 minutes.

Assembling the cake:
Using a serrated knife or wire cutter, cut each cake in half.
Take one layer and place on a plate or platter. Spread 1 c frosting evenly on top of the layer.
Repeat with the remaining three layers.
Scoop a small amount of frosting into a separate bowl, and put a thin layer on the top and sides of the cake.

Finish frosting the top and sides, reserving some frosting for decoration, if desired.
Press the crumbs into the sides of the cake.
Brush the excess crumbs off the platter, and pipe or decorate with the reserved frosting, as desired.

Notes
Cake adapted from Gluten Free Yellow Cake from King Arthur Flour.*Based on recommendation from King Arthur Flour website, the flours used here are a replacement for 3 c of King Arthur Gluten-Free Multi-Purpose Flour. I used the individual flours, and not their blend. Frosting is a double batch of Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting from Evil Shenanigans.**If you don’t want such thick layers of frosting, or don’t intend to decorate the cake, you can cut my quantities in half to make a single batch.