Decadent Chocolate Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate Cake:

• Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch cake pans, lightly sprinkling some flour into the pans to coat the sides and bottom. Pour out excess flour. You can line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper to also help prevent sticking
• Step 2: Place your milk in a medium size bowl and add the vinegar to it. Stir and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes
• Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 1 ¾ cups sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt
• Step 4: In the bowl with the milk and vinegar mixture, add the ½ cup oil, applesauce and 1tbs vanilla extract. Stir together
• Step 5: Add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture. Beat together using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. Continue to mix together until well combined
• Step 6: Lower the speed and carefully pour in the hot boiling water, continuing to mix into the cake batter until combined. You will notice that the batter will appear runny
• Step 7: Divide the batter evenly between your cake pans
• Step 8: Bake for 30-35 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean)
• Step 9: After 10 minutes of cooling in the pans, carefully remove the cakes from the pans

Ganache:

• Step 1: Place a double boiler on low heat
• Step 2: Add the chocolate, cream/milk, ¼ cup sugar, 2 tbs oil and 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Step 3: Let cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the chocolate is completely melted
• Step 4: Use a whisk and stir together
• Step 5: Set ganache aside for 5 to 10 minutes
• Step 6: Place one of the cakes on a plate and pour some ganache over the cake. Spread out allowing it to drip down the sides
• Step 7: Place second cake on top and pour ganache on top of that allowing to drip down the side.
• Step 8: Let sit 20 minutes in fridge to let the ganache set/firm up