Ingredients

For the ganache:

2/3 cup heavy cream
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (optional)

For the filling:

8 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped
2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cake:

Basic Chocolate Cake, baked and cooled
Basic Vanilla Cake, baked and cooled

Directions

Make the ganache: Heat the heavy cream, semisweet chocolate and espresso powder in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water), stirring, until the chocolate is melted and the ganache is smooth. Stir in the vanilla and coffee liqueur. Remove the bowl from the pan; set aside until cool and thick but still pourable, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, make the filling: Put the milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until smooth. Let cool.

Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the melted milk chocolate and beat until combined. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla, increase the mixer speed to medium high and beat until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.

Assemble the cake: Put 1 chocolate cake layer on a platter; spread 3/4 cup filling on top. Top with a vanilla cake layer and spread with another 3/4 cup filling. Repeat to make 4 layers, ending with a vanilla cake layer. Spread the remaining filling on top and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. Pour the ganache over the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Let set at room temperature before slicing, about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

For the frosting:

5 large egg whites
1 1/4 cups granulated maple sugar
4 sticks unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon maple extract

For the cake and filling:

Basic Vanilla Cake , baked and cooled
2 5 -ounce jars walnuts in syrup, drained, syrup reserved, plus more for decorating

Directions

Make the frosting: Whisk the egg whites and maple sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) until the mixture is warm and the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and beat with a mixer on high speed until stiff, shiny peaks form, about 5 minutes. Beat in the butter a few pieces at a time, then continue beating until smooth. (Don't worry if the mixture looks separated at first; keep beating and it will come together.) Beat in the maple extract.

Assemble the cake: Poke holes all over the tops of the 2 cake layers using a toothpick. Spoon the reserved walnut syrup over the cakes, letting it soak into the holes.

Coarsely chop the walnuts. Transfer 1 cup frosting to a medium bowl; fold in the chopped nuts. Put 1 cake layer on a platter and spread the walnut frosting on top. Top with the second cake layer. Cover the whole cake with the remaining maple frosting. Decorate with more walnuts.

Ingredients

For the whipped ganache:

2 cups heavy cream
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup orange marmalade

For the cake:

Basic Chocolate Cake, baked and cooled
1 tablespoon orange marmalade

For the caramel:

1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Flaky sea salt, for topping

Directions

Make the ganache: Heat the heavy cream, chocolate and salt in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water), stirring, until the chocolate is melted and the ganache is smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan and stir in the marmalade. Refrigerate until thick but not set, 1 hour to 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Assemble the cake: Place 1 cake layer on a platter; spread with 1 tablespoon marmalade. Beat the chilled ganache with a mixer on medium-low speed until just fluffy, about 1 minute (do not overbeat). Spread 1 heaping cup of the whipped ganache over the marmalade. Top with the second cake layer. Cover the whole cake with the remaining whipped ganache and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Make the caramel: Bring the sugar and corn syrup to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, swirling the pan but not stirring, until the mixture turns amber, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully whisk in the heavy cream and butter until smooth. Set aside, stirring occasionally, until cool but still pourable, 15 to 20 minutes. Drizzle over the cake and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve the cake within 2 hours; slice with a warm knife.

Ingredients

For the frosting:

4 large egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 sticks unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, at room temperature

For the cake:

3 tablespoons honey
Basic Vanilla Cake, baked and cooled
3/4 cup apple butter
Sliced almonds, toasted, for topping

Directions

Make the frosting: Whisk the egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) until the mixture is warm and the sugar dissolves, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, 6 to 8 minutes. Beat in the almond extract, then beat in the butter a few pieces at a time. Continue beating until the frosting is smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. (Don't worry if the mixture looks separated at first; keep beating and it will come together.)

Assemble the cake: Bring the honey and 2 tablespoons water to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat; let cool slightly. Place 1 cake layer on a platter; brush with half of the honey mixture and spread the apple butter on top, stopping about 1/2 inch from the edge. Top with the second cake layer and press down gently; brush with the remaining honey mixture. Cover the whole cake with the frosting and top with sliced almonds.

Ingredients

For the ganache:

1/2 cup heavy cream
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the filling:

8 whole graham crackers, crushed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Pinch of salt
Vegetable oil, for the spatula
1 16 -ounce container marshmallow cream

For the cake:

Basic Chocolate Cake, baked and cooled

Directions

Make the ganache: Heat the heavy cream, chocolate and salt in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water), stirring occasionally, until the chocolate melts and the ganache is smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Remove the bowl from the pan and set aside until the ganache is cool and thick but still pourable, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, make the filling: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and salt in a bowl until combined. Spread out on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until toasted, 8 to 10 minutes; let cool.

Assemble the cake as close to serving time as possible: Using a long serrated knife, carefully slice each cake layer in half horizontally. Place 1 cake half on a platter. Using a lightly oiled offset spatula or spoon, spread one-third of the marshmallow cream on top, stopping about 1 inch from the edge (if the marshmallow cream is difficult to spread, microwave 10 to 15 seconds to soften). Sprinkle one-third of the graham cracker mixture over the marshmallow cream. Repeat to make 4 layers, ending with cake; reserve a few tablespoons of the graham cracker mixture for topping.

Pour the ganache over the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Sprinkle with the reserved graham cracker mixture. Serve immediately.

Ingredients

For the cake:

Basic Vanilla Cake, baked and cooled
1/4 cup pineapple juice

For the filling:

1 1/4 cups chopped dried pineapple
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup cream of coconut
For the frosting and topping:
2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
Pinch of salt
2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup cream of coconut
1/2 cup coconut flakes, toasted
1/4 cup chopped dried pineapple

Directions

Prepare the cake: Poke holes all over the tops of the 2 cake layers using a toothpick. Brush the cakes with the pineapple juice, letting it soak into the holes; set aside.

Make the filling: Bring the dried pineapple, pineapple juice, cream of coconut and 1/2 cup water to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the dried pineapple is soft and the liquid is reduced to a thick syrup, about 20 minutes. Let cool, then mash with a potato masher to make a chunky jam.

Make the frosting: Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add the cream of coconut, increase the mixer speed to medium high and beat until thick, 2 to 3 more minutes.

Assemble the cake: Place 1 cake layer on a platter; spread the pineapple filling on top, stopping about 1/2 inch from the edge. Top with the second cake layer and press down gently. Cover the whole cake with the coconut frosting. Top with the toasted coconut and dried pineapple.

Ingredients

For the cake and filling:

Basic Chocolate Cake, baked and cooled
3 cups strawberry ice cream, softened

For the topping:

2 1/2 cups raspberries and/or quartered strawberries
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup cold heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Assemble the cake: Place 1 cake layer on a platter; scoop the ice cream on top and spread it to the edge using an offset spatula. Top with the second cake layer, then run the spatula around the sides to smooth the ice cream. Freeze until firm, about 4 hours.

Make the topping: About 30 minutes before serving, remove the cake from the freezer and let stand at room temperature. Toss the berries and 3 tablespoons sugar in a bowl; set aside until ready to serve. Beat the heavy cream, the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and the vanilla in a bowl with a mixer on medium speed until medium peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Spread on top of the cake. Top with the berries and their juices.

Ingredients

For the frosting:

6 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
3 cups confectioners' sugar

For the cake:

Basic Vanilla Cake, baked and cooled
15 chocolate sandwich cookies or other cookies, chopped

Directions

Make the frosting: Put the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until smooth; let cool slightly. Beat the butter, vanilla and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the melted white chocolate and beat until combined. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth.

Assemble the cake: Place 1 cake layer on a platter; spread 1 cup frosting on top and sprinkle with 1/2 cup chopped cookies. Top with the second cake layer. Cover the whole cake with the remaining frosting, then press the remaining cookies into the sides.

Ingredients

For the lemon curd:

3/4 cup sugar
6 large egg yolks
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Pinch of salt
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the meringue:

4 large egg whites
1 cup sugar
Pinch of cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cake:

Basic Vanilla Cake, baked and cooled

Directions

Make the lemon curd: Whisk the sugar, egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon zest, cornstarch and salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; cook, whisking occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until thick, about 10 minutes. Whisk in the butter a few pieces at a time until melted, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.

Make the meringue: Whisk the egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) until the mixture is warm and the sugar dissolves, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan; add the cream of tartar and vanilla and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, 6 to 8 minutes.

Assemble the cake: Put 1 cake layer on a platter; spread the lemon curd on top, stopping about 1/2 inch from the edge. Top with the second cake layer and press down gently. Cover the cake with the meringue, using the back of a spoon to make swirly peaks. Brown the meringue with a kitchen torch. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 1 day.

Ingredients

For the filling:

1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 large egg, plus 1 egg yolk
3 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
1 to 2 drops green food coloring
3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping

For the topping:

1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract

For the cake:

Basic Chocolate Cake, baked and cooled

Directions

Make the filling: Bring the milk to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk the granulated sugar, cornstarch, peppermint extract, egg and egg yolk in a medium heatproof bowl until smooth. Gradually whisk half of the hot milk into the sugar mixture, then return to the pan with the remaining milk. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture boils and thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl (strain through a fine-mesh sieve if it looks lumpy), then stir in the white chocolate and green food coloring until the chocolate melts. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Make the topping: Beat the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar and peppermint extract in a bowl with a mixer on medium speed until medium peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes.

Assemble the cake: Put 1 cake layer on a platter; spread the filling on top, stopping 1/2 inch from the edge. Top with the second cake layer and press down gently. Top with the whipped cream and chocolate chips.

Ingredients

For the filling:

1 cup whole milk
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
For the ganache:
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream

For the cake:

Basic Chocolate Cake, baked and cooled

Directions

Make the filling: Bring the milk to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk the sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and egg in a medium heatproof bowl until smooth. Gradually whisk half of the hot milk into the sugar mixture, then return to the pan with the remaining milk. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture boils and thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl (strain through a fine-mesh sieve if it looks lumpy), then stir in the chocolate until melted. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour.

Meanwhile, make the ganache: Put the chocolate and salt in a large heatproof bowl. Bring 1 1/2 cups heavy cream to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat; pour over the chocolate and let sit 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Pour 3/4 cup of the ganache into a liquid measuring cup and set aside at room temperature. Refrigerate the remaining ganache in the bowl until thick but not set, about 1 hour.

Assemble the cake: Put 1 cake layer on a platter; spread the filling on top, stopping about 1/2 inch from the edge. Top with the second cake layer and press down gently.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons heavy cream to the chilled ganache and beat with a mixer on medium speed until just fluffy, about 1 minute (do not overbeat). Frost the whole cake with the whipped ganache. Pour the room-temperature ganache on top, letting it drip down the sides. Let set before slicing, about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

For the frosting:
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
Pinch of salt
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

For the cake:

Basic Vanilla Cake, baked and cooled
Sprinkles, for decorating

Directions

Make the frosting: Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add the vanilla, increase the mixer speed to medium high and beat until thick, about 2 more minutes. Add the milk a little at a time and beat until the frosting is spreadable but not runny.

Assemble the cake: Put 1 cake layer on a platter; spread 1 cup frosting on top. Top with the second cake layer, then cover the whole cake with the remaining frosting. Decorate with sprinkles.