America's Test Kitchen Season 16 Episode 7 Chocolate-Caramel Layer Cake

In season 16 episode 7 of America's Test Kitchen, viewers are taken through the steps to create a delectable Chocolate-Caramel Layer Cake. The show begins with a brief overview of the ingredients needed to create the cake, including flour, chocolate, sugar, and butter. The hosts of the show, who are expert chefs and food scientists, explain that this episode will focus on perfecting the cake's layers, as well as its overall texture and taste.

The first step in creating this cake is to prepare the caramel sauce. The hosts explain that caramel can be difficult to work with, but by following their tips for cooking it slowly and stirring it constantly, viewers can create a delicious, smooth caramel sauce without burning it. Once the caramel is complete, it is set aside to cool and thicken.

Next, the hosts move on to preparing the cake batter. They start by melting the chocolate and butter together in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water. They explain that using this technique, rather than melting the chocolate and butter directly on the heat, will help prevent the chocolate from burning or seizing. Once the chocolate and butter are melted, they are combined with the other wet ingredients, including eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract.

The dry ingredients, including flour, baking powder, and salt, are then added to the wet mixture and combined thoroughly. The hosts stress the importance of not overmixing the batter, as this can lead to tough, dry cake. Once the batter is mixed, it is poured into three round cake pans and baked in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes.

While the cakes are baking, the hosts prepare the frosting. This frosting is made from a combination of cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. The frosting is then mixed with the cooled caramel sauce to create a rich, decadent frosting that perfectly complements the chocolate cake.

Once the cakes have finished baking and cooling, the hosts begin the process of assembling the cake. They stress the importance of trimming the tops of the cakes to create a level surface before stacking them. The cakes are then spread with a layer of frosting and stacked, with a layer of caramel sauce between each layer of cake. The entire cake is then covered in a layer of frosting, and decorated with chocolate shavings and additional caramel sauce.

Throughout the episode, the hosts provide helpful tips and tricks for creating a flawless Chocolate-Caramel Layer Cake, from how to properly measure ingredients to how to avoid overmixing the batter. Viewers are sure to be inspired by the techniques and expertise displayed on America's Test Kitchen as they attempt to recreate this mouth-watering cake in their own kitchens.