1. Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Prepare the Chocolate Cake:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Stir in boiling water until the batter is well mixed. The batter will be thin; don’t worry; this is normal.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
3. Make the Chocolate Mousse:
- In a heatproof bowl, melt the chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the melted chocolate into the whipped cream until well combined.
4. Assemble the Cake:
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate.
- Spread a layer of chocolate mousse on top of the first layer.
- Place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining chocolate mousse.
5. Make the Chocolate Ganache Frosting:
- Heat the cream until it begins to simmer, then pour it over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for a minute and then stir until smooth.
- Let the ganache cool slightly before pouring it over the cake.
6. Decorate and Serve:
- Allow the ganache to set slightly before decorating the cake with additional chocolate shavings, berries, or other toppings of your choice.
- Refrigerate the cake for a few hours to allow it to set before serving.
Enjoy your slice of heaven on earth!