Toffee Almond Crunch Cake

• Recipe by Patti Dellamonica-Bauler

With its layers of tender chocolate cake and chocolaty sour cream frosting, this dessert on its own is completely spectacular. But Patti Dellamonica-Bauler, the pastry chef at One Market in San Francisco, takes it one step further by covering it in toasted almonds and crushed toffee candy.

Ingredients

CAKE

1. 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
3. 2 teaspoons baking powder
4. 2 teaspoons baking soda
5. 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
6. 2 cups sugar
7. 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
8. 4 large eggs, at room temperature
9. 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
10. 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
11. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

FROSTING

1. 1/2 pound bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2. 1/4 pound unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
3. 1 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
4. 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
5. 1 tablespoon dark rum
6. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
7. 3 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
8. 3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
9. 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
10. 1 cup coarsely chopped chocolate-covered toffee bars, such as Skor bars or Heath bars (four 1.4-ounce bars)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter a 12-by-16-inch rimmed baking sheet and line the bottom with parchment paper. In a large bowl, sift the flour with the cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk in the sugar.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the buttermilk with the eggs, coffee, butter and vanilla. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until blended. Scrape the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and smooth the top. Bake for 22 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the baking sheet to a rack and let cool for 30 minutes, then freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
3. Bring a medium saucepan filled with 1 inch of water to a simmer. Combine the bittersweet and unsweetened chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set the bowl over—not in—the simmering water to melt the chocolate; let cool slightly.
4. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and salt at medium speed until smooth. Beat in the rum, vanilla and melted chocolate until fully incorporated. Beat in the confectioners' sugar one-third at a time, scraping down the bowl between additions. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the sour cream until no white streaks remain. Refrigerate the frosting until ready to use.
5. Spread the almonds on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
6. Slice the frozen cake in half crosswise and transfer one half to a serving plate. Spread one-third of the frosting on the cake and top with the other half of the cake. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, until the frosting is set. Spread the remaining frosting evenly over the top and sides of the cake and refrigerate for 1 hour longer, or until the frosting is set.
7. One hour before serving, remove the cake from the refrigerator. Toss the chopped toffee bars with the toasted almonds and gently press them into the top and sides of the cake. Slice and serve.

Make Ahead

The cake can be prepared through Step 5 and refrigerated for up to 2 days.