# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (190 g)
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (65 g)
06 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (250 g)
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 3/4 cup whole milk (180 ml)
09 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil (120 ml)
10 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
11 - 3/4 cup hot brewed coffee (180 ml)
→ Whipped Chocolate Ganache
12 - 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (225 g)
13 - 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
14 - Pinch of salt
→ Rat Decorations
15 - 5 ounces marzipan or modeling chocolate (140 g)
16 - Black, pink, and gray food coloring gel (optional)
17 - Edible silver dust or shimmer (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
02 - Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder in a large bowl.
03 - Incorporate the granulated sugar into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla until fully combined. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
05 - Gradually add the hot brewed coffee into the batter, mixing until the batter becomes glossy and homogeneous.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.
07 - Place chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat heavy cream with a pinch of salt until it just begins to boil, then pour over the chocolate. Let stand for two minutes before stirring until smooth.
08 - Refrigerate the ganache for 45 minutes, then whip it with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
09 - Generously spread the whipped ganache over the cooled cake, ensuring full coverage.
10 - Knead marzipan or modeling chocolate with optional food coloring to shape small rat figures, tails, and ears. Add fine details using toothpicks or edible paints. Optionally dust with edible silver shimmer.
11 - Place the rat figurines atop the ganache-coated cake in a whimsical, scattered pattern for visual interest.
