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A slice of cake being lifted from the rest of the cake. The cake sits on a white cake stand.
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Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Mousse Filling

The vanilla cake layers are filled with a chocolate moose filling, and the cake is frosted with a whipped chocolate ganache, and decorated with sprinkles. This cake is perfect for any celebration!
Course Dessert
Cuisine North American
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling time 4 hours
Servings 14 slices
Calories 550kcal
Author Nina

Equipment

  • two 9 inch cake pans
  • one 9 inch Springform pan

Ingredients

Vanilla Cake

  • 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk room temperature

Chocolate Moose

  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ¾ teaspooon gelatin powder
  • 6 ounces baking chocolate (milk or semi-sweet)
  • 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream cold, divided
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Whipped Chocolate Ganache

  • 8 ounces baking chocolate (milk or semi-sweet)
  • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream cold
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter cold
  • 2 tabelspoons sprinkles optional

Instructions

Vanilla Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line two 9 inch cake pans with parchment paper. We need to use 9 inch cake pans for this recipe because we are layering everything in a 9 inch springform pan. You can skip the springform pan and use a cake collar. If you use a cake collar, this cake can be made in 8 inch cake pans as well.
  • Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
  • Alternate add the dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients (3 additions of flour, 2 of milk). Mix until just combined and divide the batter equally into the prepared pans.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs on it. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, and then remove cakes to cool completely on a wire rack.

Chocolate Moose

  • Add water to a small bowl and sprinkle gelatin on top. Let it sit while you move on to the next steps.
  • Place chocolate in a medium sized bowl.
  • Add ½ cup heavy whipping cream and sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a simmer then remove from heat and add gelatin mixture. Stir until dissolved. Pour over chocolate and let sit for 3 minutes, then whisk smooth.
  • Cool the moose to room temperature, stirring occasionally to speed up the cooling process.
  • In a large bowl, whip the remaining 1 cup heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks. Whisk ⅓ of the whipped cream into the cooled moose. Gently fold in the remaining until combined.
  • Line the springform pan with parchment paper. Allow the parchment paper to overhang a bit. This will help easily remove the cake later on.
  • Place one cake layer in the bottom of the springform pan. Spread moose overtop, then top with the second cake layer. Place plastic wrap overtop of cake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Whipped Chocolate Ganache

  • Place chocolate in a medium bowl.
  • Heat heavy whipping cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and then pour over chocolate. Let it sit for 3 minutes, and then whisk until smooth.
  • Let the ganache cool before whipping. Either at room temperature, or you can put it in the freezer for 15 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes. Whip ganache until stiff peaks form.
  • Remove cake from the springform pan and place it on a cake decorating stand or plate. Spread whipped ganache on the top and the sides of the cake. Pipe decorations on top of the cake and scatter sprinkles on top. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • You can use either milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate. I used milk chocolate in this recipe.
  • Make sure you use unflavoured gelatin.
  • I use whole milk when baking, but you could substitute with 2% milk if you want.
  • Don't over mix cake batter. Mix until the ingredients are just incorporated and no more. Over mixing can cause a dense cake.

Nutrition

Serving: 14g | Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 186mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 895IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 3mg