Ingredients
makes one 2-layer 8-inch cake (the cake in these photos is 1 1/2 batches)
cake:
1 3/4 c sugar
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
1 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 large eggs
1/2 c flavorless oil, like canola
1 c whole milk or buttermilk
1 tb vanilla extract
3/4 c boiling water
frosting:
10 fresh basil leaves, torn
2 sticks unsalted butter
8 oz mascarpone
3 cups powdered sugar
a pinch of kosher salt
assembly:
fresh basil leaves
marzipan kneaded with a bit of green food coloring and cut into leaf shapes
Preparation
