Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake

INGREDIENTS:

For the Chocolate Cake:
– 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup milk (any kind)
– 1/2 cup vegetable oil
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1 cup boiling water
For the Dark Chocolate Mousse:
– 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
– 2 cups heavy cream, divided
– 1/4 cup powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Ganache:
– 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
– 1/2 cup heavy cream

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
4. Stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth. It will be thin, but that’s okay.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
7. Remove from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
For the Dark Chocolate Mousse:
1. Place the chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
2. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup of heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer …