Name: "Top Tier" Devil's Food Cake with Sour Cream-Fudge Frosting
Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients: ¼ cup (21g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 oz. (28g) high-quality milk chocolate, such as Lindt, Perugina, or Valrhona, chopped; ¼ cup (57g) boiling water; ¼ cup (57g) buttermilk; ⅔ cup (80g) cake flour; ½ tsp. baking soda; ¼ tsp. salt; ⅓ cup (71g) dark brown sugar; ¼ cup (50g) sugar; ¼ cup (50g) canola oil; 1 large egg; ½ tsp. vanilla extract; 8 oz. (227g) high-quality milk chocolate, such as Lindt, Perugina, or Valrhona, chopped; ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, room temperature; ⅔ cup (150g) sour cream; 4 tsp. light corn syrup; Organic roses (for garnish); 2 5-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides

Image may contain Flower Plant Blossom and Rose

"Top Tier" Devil's Food Cake with Sour Cream-Fudge FrostingDan Forbes

We love the idea of sharing the top tier of a wedding cake, but eating a dessert that's been frozen for a year can be less than satisfying. This adorable five-inch layer cake was inspired by the romantic tradition—and can be enjoyed right now.

Test-kitchen tip:

Five-inch cake pans are available at some kitchenware stores and restaurant supply stores and online from cheftools.com and amazon.com.

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

The Complete Epicurious Cake Recipe Finder
Explore our cake recipes finder to find the cake that suits your schedule and your cravings. Click on a cake icon and read more\!

Classic French Bouillabaisse With Rouille

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

Salmon With Sizzled Nut Salsa

A savory-hot salsa made with mixed nuts (like the kind dubbed cocktail nuts meant for snacking) gives roast salmon a kaleidoscope of textures and flavors.

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

One-Pot Chicken Thighs With Cilantro Rice and Beans

This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.

Recipe notes

The Complete Epicurious Cake Recipe Finder