# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 1 1/2 cups (6.7 oz) all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 3/4 cup (2.3 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
06 - 1 1/4 cups (8.8 oz) granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 3/4 cup (6 fl oz) whole milk
09 - 1/2 cup (4 fl oz) vegetable oil
10 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
11 - 3/4 cup (6 fl oz) hot brewed coffee
→ Whipped Chocolate Ganache
12 - 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
13 - 1 cup (8 fl oz) heavy cream
14 - Pinch of salt
→ Rat Decorations
15 - 5 oz marzipan or modeling chocolate
16 - Black, pink, and gray food coloring gel (optional)
17 - Edible silver dust or shimmer (optional)
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
02 - Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a large bowl.
03 - Incorporate the granulated sugar into the dry mixture and mix thoroughly.
04 - Whisk the eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until combined.
05 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir until smooth.
06 - Gradually incorporate the hot brewed coffee, mixing until the batter becomes glossy and well combined.
07 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35–40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
08 - Place chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat cream with salt until just boiling, then pour over chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.
09 - Refrigerate ganache for 45 minutes, then whip with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
10 - Spread the whipped ganache generously over the cooled cake surface.
11 - Knead marzipan or modeling chocolate with food coloring to form small rat figures, tails, and ears. Use a toothpick or edible paints to add details, then dust with edible silver shimmer.
12 - Arrange the rat figures on the cake in a playful, whimsical pattern.
