Mayan Chocolate Rumchata Cake

Chocolate Cake
2 & 1/2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate (2.5 blocks)

3/4 c. butter, softened
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

2 & 1/4 c. unbleached flour
1 & 1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 & 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 & 1/3 c. water

Preheat oven to 350.

Cut circles of wax paper to fit the bottom of two 8-inch round cake pans. Grease the pans well; place wax paper in bottom of pans & grease. Add a dusting of flour & tap the pans to coat.

Melt the chocolate in microwave 1-2 minutes; stir until smooth. Cool slightly.

Cream butter, sugar & vanilla in large mixing bowl until light & fluffy. Add eggs & cooled chocolate; blend well. Mix flour, baking soda & cinnamon together in small bowl. Add dry ingredients alternately with water in two batches each.

Pour into prepared pans. Bake 35-40 minutes for round pans, or until center tests clean. Remove from oven, cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.

Remove cake pans, carefully peel off wax paper. Cool completely.

Chocolate Mousse
2 large egg yolks

1/4 c. sugar

8 oz. whipping cream

3 oz. premium 100% Cacao unsweetened chocolate baking bar, broken into pieces

In small mixing bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed until thick, about 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar & mix in well.

In small heavy saucepan, heat 4 oz (1/2 c.) whipping cream over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Gradually pour half the cream into the egg mixture, mix until blended & pour back into remaining cream in the saucepan.

Cook over medium heat until mixture is thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat & let stand for 8 minutes. Add chocolate & stir until completely melted.

Place in refrigerator (NOT freezer) just until chilled, about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Chill mixing bowl & beaters; pour in remaining 4 oz (1/2 c.) of whipping cream & beat on high until stiff. Gently fold into chilled chocolate mixture.

Chocolate Ganache
8 oz (1 c.) whipping cream
12 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips
2 tsp Rumchata

In small saucepan, heat whipping cream on medium until very hot; do not allow to boil. Immediately stir in chocolate chips & Rumchata; stir constantly until completely melted. Mixture should look glossy.

Place in refrigerator to cool, stirring frequently until glossy & well thickened.

Rumchata Glaze
1/4 c. powdered sugar
3 TBS Rumchata
1 TBS water

In micro-proof measuring cup, combine all ingredients. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes until hot. Stir until sugar is dissolved.

To assemble cake:
Place one 8-inch layer on cake plate. Brush generously with half of glaze. Leave remaining layer on cooling rack & brush with remaining glaze. (For easy clean up, place a sheet of wax paper on counter underneath the rack.) Allow to soak in completely.

Spread Chocolate Mousse evenly on the cake layer on plate, leaving 1/8 inch around edges to allow for spreading. Gently place remaining layer on top of mousse.

With butter knife, spread Chocolate Ganache evenly over top & sides of cake, starting with the top of the cake & doing sides next.

Store any leftover cake in refrigerator.