Dressy Chocolate Loaf Cake

Total Time: 3 hrs 10 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup raspberry jam or 1/3 cup cherry jam, best quality
• 1 teaspoon water
• 5 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature

Recipe

• 1 get ready: center oven rack; preheat oven to 350°; butter a 9 ½ x 5 inch loaf pan, dust the inside with flour and top out the excess; place the pan on a insulated baking sheet or on two regular baking sheets stacked on top of one another.
• 2 make the cake: sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• 3 using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachement, beat the butter and sugar together at medium speed for about 3 minutes, or until very light and fluffy.
• 4 add in the eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minute after each one goes inches.
• 5 decrease the speed to low and mix in the sour cream; still working on low speed, add the dry ingredients and mix only until they disappear into the batter.
• 6 give the batter a last stir with a sturdy rubber spatula and scrape the batter into the pan.
• 7 bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the cake comes out clean.
• 8 if, after about 45 minutes, the cake looks like it is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with a foil tent.
• 9 transfer the pan to a cooling rack and let the cake rest for about 5 minutes before turning it out onto the rack; cool to room temperature upside down.
• 10 fill the cake: bring the jam and water to a boil over low heat or in a microwave oven; stir to smooth it, and keep it at hand.
• 11 the top of the cake will become the bottom layer, so if it is uneven and your cake rocks a bit on the counter, turn it right side up and use a long serrated knife to level it.
• 12 using a serrated knife, cut the cake into 3 even layers; put the first layer (originally the top of the cake) cut side down on a long serving plate and spread half of the jam over it.
• 13 cover with the middle layer and spread that layer with the remaining jam.
• 14 lift the top layer into place, cut side down; use a small pastry brush to chase away any crumbs on the top or sides of the cake.
• 15 make the frosting: fit a heatproof bowl into a pan of gently simmering water, add in the chocolate and warm, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is melted.
• 16 still working over the hot water, stir in the sour cream; don’t be concerned if the cream tightens—just keep stirring gently and the frosting will become smooth and glossy.
• 17 remove from heat and cover the sides and top of the cake with the still-warm frosting.