Attn. AllSugartooths: Call for input, chocolate chocolate chocolate cake

[Dora]

It's my MIL's birthday, or it was recently, and I'm making the saint of a woman a cake. She requested "chocolate chocolate chocolate," and I intend to provide. My plan is a chocolate filled chocolate cake with a chocolate glaze. I have 7 oz each of solid dark and milk chocolate, and unsweetened cocoa (some fancydancy label, some Hershey's). I'm not an experienced cake baker, and I'm pretty hit and miss with cakes these days.

Layer cake or roll cake? Ganache filling or chocolate custard, and which would be firmer? Should I just dress up a box cake? ... i'm thinking "maybe...."

Recipes, ideas, suggestions? I'd like to serve this on Thursday eve, approx 6 :00 pm.

[spindrifter]

1. Wellesley Fudge Cake

WFC is the chocolate birthday cake of choice at our house. Each of us is qualified to bake it.

You could take a look at the following recipe--there are several variations if you google it:

http://cake.allrecipes.com/az/FudgeLayerCake.asp

Ganache would be a firmer filling than custard. I think it would be outstanding with ganache filling and frosting with shaved chocolate on the top.

Happy Birthday, MIL.

[The empressof all]

2. I love different textures in a cake

I would go with a custard or cream filling with a ganache poured on top as a thick shimmery frosting. This will give you a soft cake with a creamy filling and a topping with a fudgie bite to it. That's the way I would go.

[Dora]

3. That's kind of what I had in mind...

But I was concerned that a cream/custard filling wouldn't provide enough of a mortar between the cake layers. If you have any tips or recipes for a good firm chocolate custard, I'm open to suggestions.

At this date, with what I have on my plate, I suspect I'll be doing a box cake with homemade filling and a ganache glaze.

[The empressof all]

4. How about a butter cream

Made with some good quality dark chocolate. I don't have a receipe though but I've toyed with them and have even added some whipped cream to the final product to lighten it up a little at the end with some good results. I'm thinking you might want something with a little air and lightness to the center filling.

[supernova]

5. Costco All American Chocolate Cake

Best. Chocolate. Cake. Ever.

[Dora]

6. There's no way I can squeeze in a trip to Costco....

Not this week. But I'll keep it in mind for my next trip up thataway!

[Lars39]

7. If you could find a chocolate sauce to put *under* the cake...

I ate a piece of triple chocolate cake over the holidays that had a sauce under it.
It was the best chocolate fix I have had in months. :9

[Dora]

8. I give up. I can't do it.

I'm deluding myself if I think I can. Too sick, too busy, too much to do to bake a cake. Thanks to everyone for the recipes and suggestions. I will save these for another cake on another day.