Recipe: Royal Sonesta Double Chocolate Cake

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

4 eggs

Orange-flavored liqueur

Ganache

Cream together butter and sugar until light and creamy. Stir in cocoa and water. Beat 7 minutes with electric mixer. Add flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Beat 2 minutes longer. Add eggs. Mix 5 minutes longer.

Pour batter into greased and floured 9-inch layer cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees 30 to 40 minutes or until cake center springs back when lightly touched. Invert onto wire rack to cool completely.

Split cake into 3 horizontal layers. Drizzle orange-flavored liqueur lightly over each layer. Frost layers with refrigerated Ganache. Pour remaining unrefrigerated Ganache over top layer to glaze. Makes 1 (3-layer) cake.

Ganache

18 ounces semisweet chocolate (squares or pieces)

1 1/2 cups whipping cream

Melt chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water. Add whipping cream. Remove from heat. Remove 2 cups chocolate mixture and set aside. Refrigerate remaining chocolate mixture until thick and creamy. Use refrigerated portion for spreading between layers. Use unrefrigerated portion for glazing top layer of cake.