This Armenian-Style Layer Cake is perfect for a special celebration! Layers of cake, coffee whipped cream and chocolate ganache make for one decadent dessert!
Hi guys! This month marks something special here at the BHK!
It’s the blog’s 5 year birthday! Can you give me a WOOT WOOT?!
What an exciting road it’s been!
As you know, I started the blog after both our boys were out on their own in college to keep me busy and keep my mind off missing them. I still miss them like nobody’s business, but boy have I been busy!
As y’all know the idea to start a food blog in their absence wasn’t mine. It was my dear friend Rose’s.
Well, thank the good Lord for Rose, because I honestly think it’s the BEST and most enjoyable job I’ve ever had!
I love coming to you guys twice a week to share something I’ve whipped up for friends and family in hopes that you’ll make it, feel confident in your kitchen and enjoy it as much as I do.
To celebrate the occasion Rose and a few of my other good friends (Janice, Kristen and Michele) threw me a little blog birthday celebration at the beach. I was totally surprised! (here are some of the photos snapped from our phones ↓)
They all made a recipe or two from the blog, one of my signature cocktails, appetizers, a main dish and dessert. It was totally spectacular!
You also may have noticed I tweaked the blog a bit too to commemorate the occasion. Hope you enjoy the new layout and the new logo!
I’ve been trying to think up a tagline for the blog for like ever, and nothing ever seemed to fit perfectly.
Well, once again, Rose comes through in the clutch with “where friendships are fed”. I LOVE it!
I decided that today’s recipe needed to be EPIC, so I present to you this eight layer Armenian-Style Layer Cake.
I’ve had this one in my back pocket for quite a while. I saw it in the 2018 Fall Baking magazine of Food to Love and when I read through the recipe, I knew I’d love it and I think you will too.
I really didn’t know much about Armenian cakes, but apparently they’re not as sweet as most cakes and they’re usually flavored with nutmeg.
Take it from me folks (and my college girlfriends who got to sample this one), it’s eight layers of total deliciousness!
The cake layers are flavored with nutmeg and studded with chopped hazelnuts and cacao nibs, then they’re sandwiched with fresh coffee whipped cream and decadent chocolate ganache.
Sounds amazing doesn’t it? It’s totally dreamy.
This is one cake fit for a special occasion! Enjoy!
A Special Note…
I would like to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for following along here at the BHK. There would be no Beach House Kitchen without you guys! I appreciate all the comments you’ve taken the time to leave over the past 5 years and photos you’ve shared of things you’ve made from the blog in your own kitchens. You’re the BEST! Looking forward to many more delicious years ahead! Love Mary Ann XO
A Few Cook’s Notes for Armenian-Style Layer Cake Recipe:
Cacao nibs are small pieces of crushed cocoa beans. They’re just chocolate that hasn’t been mixed with any sugar yet. They have a strong chocolatey taste, but they aren’t sweet.
You can find cacao nibs at gourmet grocery stores or health food stores.
I used a serrated knife to slice the cake and then I separated the slice into two servings of four layers each.
Armenian-Style Layer Cake
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Cake Layers
- 1 3/4 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup (one stick) butter, melted and cooled
- 1/3 cup hazelnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup cacao nibs
Ganache
- 1 lb. semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
Coffee Whipped Cream
- 1 Tbsp. boiling water
- 2 tsp. instant coffee granules
- 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
- 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder, sifted
Instructions
Ganache
- Place chocolate in a medium heat proof bowl. Bring the heavy whipped cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let stand for about 10 seconds and then whisk until smooth. Let ganache stand at room temperature for two hours or until it has thickened.
Cake Layers
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Draw two 7-inch circles on four large sheets of white parchment paper. Turn two of the sheets marked-side down onto two large baking sheets. You will have four circles; two on each sheet. Reserve remaining sheets of parchment for the second batch of four layers.
- In a large bowl, combine sugar, flours, baking powder, baking soda and nutmeg. Make a well in the center. Whisk the egg, milk and the butter in a medium bowl. Add to the dry mixture and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Spread 1/2 cup of the cake mixture in each circle. Sprinkle each with one tablespoon of the hazelnuts and cacao nibs.
- Bake for 10 minutes, swapping the sheets halfway through, or until firm to the touch. Transfer layers, still on parchment, to wire racks to cool.
- Repeat the process with the remaining paper and cake batter to make a total of eight layers. Remove the parchment from the cake rounds once cool.
Coffee Whipped Cream
- Combine the hot water and coffee in a bowl. Mix and then let cool. Beat the heavy cream and the sifted confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add the sifted cocoa powder and the coffee mixture and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until cake layers have cooled.
- Place a cake layer on a cake stand. Spread the layer with 1/2 cup of coffee whipped cream. Spread 1/3 cup ganache over the coffee whipped cream allowing it to drip over the edges. Repeat layering, finishing with a ganache layer and then topping with a sprinkle of remaining hazelnuts and cacao nibs just before serving. Cake is best when assembled up to 3 hours before serving.
Adapted from Food to Love 2018 Fall Baking Issue
Happy 5 years! That’s so exciting! And it sounds like an awesome party :). And this cake? I MUST try it, like, today. Coffee and chocolate is one of my favorite combos!
It really is sooooo delicious Kelsie! All my girlfriends loved it! Thanks so much!
Congratulations Mary Ann! Five years is an amazing accomplishment, and it looks like you have some wonderful and supportive friends! I’m also loving your new logo and the changes you’ve made! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us over the next five years!
Thanks so much Leanne! Time is flying!
Woot Woot! Congratulations!!! I love, love, love the sign! :) This cake is a great way to celebrate. It looks delicious!
Thanks Kathy! I’ve “virtually” met so many great people, like you, and a few in person too! This is the perfect cake for a special celebration!
How awesome is that?! Congrats Mary Ann! And this layer cake is such a fabulous way to celebrate! Pinned! Looking forward to more delicious recipes, my friend :)
Thanks so much Dawn. I’m looking forward to many more years here at the BHK too! Have a great week!
Happy blog anniversary!! Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun? :) Love the new logo and tagline, too. It’s perfect.
Yes!! Thanks so much Jennifer!
Congratulations, Mary Ann! Such a wonderful accomplishment! I love your delicious work! And your redesign is beautiful! Loving the new tagline! Here’s to many more, my friend! Cheers!
Thanks so much Annie! Hoping we get to meet in person one day!
Mary Ann, what a super sweet and lovely celebration!! I loved seeing those photos and your friends seem SO sweet and thoughtful!! I absolutely love that. This Aemenian Style Layer Cake looks decadent and delicious – absolutely love that coffee whipped cream!! Congrats on 5 years! Your blog is amazing and inspiring to me. XO!
Thanks so much Haylie! It was such a great time! They’re the BEST! That coffee whipped cream was so hard to not eat right from the bowl. This is the perfect cake for a special celebration. Hope you have an awesome week!
Mare, I am so proud of you!! I love your passion for the blog and I love seeing how happy it makes you. Happy Birthday to the blog and keep those recipes coming! You have spoiled me:)
Your Husband,
Mr Picky
LOVE you Mr. Picky! Thanks for always being my guinea pig, even when it comes to chunky tomatoes!! Lol!
Congratulations Mary Ann! I always love stopping by your blog to see what you have cooking. Happy birthday!
Thanks so much Amy! And thanks for following along here at the BHK! XO
Love the new look!! Always a pleasure to read your blog. Great content and a format not cluttered with annoying ads. Best of luck for many more years of time well spent.
Thanks so much Anne. So happy you enjoy the blog. Looking forward to many more years here at the BHK!
This is a true showstopper of a dessert :) What a wonderful new recipe to celebrate your Blog Anniversary – Happy 5 years! :)
Thanks so much Alex! XO
Awww Happy Blog Anniversary, Mary Ann! This cake looks so fun. I’m Armenian and grew up with an Armenian family and I’ve never heard of an Armenian Layer Cake, so now I’m going down the rabbit hole of the internet to find out more. I’m so curious how this could have past me by! I need this in my life ASAP!
Ha! As soon as I saw it in the magazine I mentioned, I knew I had to try it! I think Armenian cakes are usually not as sweet and usually have nutmeg in them. That’s what I found when I researched it. Thanks so much Liz! I’m hoping for more delicious years ahead!
Happy 5 Years blogging! I remember turning to you and saying…”Mare, you really need to blog!” I also remember you saying, “What’s a blog?” Thank God you discovered blogging!!! The many meals, desserts and time spent together over these last years (even before the blog) have been filled with such joy! So happy you can share your love of family, friendship, and of course…food with everyone! This recipe…like all the others…looks amazing! Really proud of you!
The BHK wouldn’t be in business without you Rose! You know how much I LOVE this job. I’m lucky to have a special friend like you to support and encourage me along the way! XO Mare
A big Congratulations and Happy Blogiversary, Mary Ann! I love that your friends are so supportive! And I love your new tagline especially, it’s perfect! And, this recipe! WOWZA! My fam would be crazy if I set this in front of them! So beautiful and sounds delish! All the best, Mary Ann!
Thanks so much Laura! I’m lucky to have such wonderful friends! They’re the best! I bet your family would totally enjoy this cake!
Happy blog birthday, Mare!!! As soon as your site loaded I noticed the new logo!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!! The design is beautiful and the tag line is just perfection!!! This stunning cake is the perfect way to celebrate!!! It is absolutely spectacular!! This showstopper would be perfect for NYE!! Pinned!
P.S. your friends are adorable!!! So sweet of them to throw you a party!!
Thanks so much Chey! I’m really happy with the redesign and the new logo and tagline (by Rose!) This cake would be perfect for NYE!! And I’m so lucky to have friends like I do! They totally surprised me and I had so much fun!
Mary Ann, this made me choke up. I love that you’re here – your blog is an absolute favorite of mine! Happy 5th Blog Anniversary! You do an amazing job…
Totally smitten with this cake too – truly celebration worthy with all those delicious layers!
Awwww! Thanks so much Marissa! You’re on my blogging bucket list of people to meet! So happy I started the BHK! It’s been so much fun. So happy I’m one of your faves! XO
Aw, Mary Ann! Where to begin. Congratulations! You’ve come so far in 5 years. You have some amazing friends, that looks like such a sweet party! Loving your new layout as well. So many things to celebrate, and last but not least this AMAZING layer cake!! Glad to have “met” you through this crazy food blogging world!
Thanks so much Katherine! My friends are the best. We had so much fun that night! Hope we get to meet in person one day!
Congratulations on your blog anniversary. I remember when you started your blog . Your recipes are wonderful and there are some I have made for many years. Here is to another 5 years of successful blogging.
Thanks so much Gerlinde! You’ve been such a dedicated follower for the past 5 years! I really appreciate all your comments and support! XO
So firstly, I noticed the new design last week, it looks great! Second, congrats on 5 years! I’ve really enjoyed trying your recipes over the last 4-5 years, they are great for my family. Third, what an amazing shot and cake!
Thank you so much Matt! I’m so happy you enjoy the recipes here at the BHK! This cake is a total winner for a special occasion!
congrats on 5 years!
Thanks so much Sherry!
Congratulations on 5 years, Mary Ann! Your site is one of my favorites, I love seeing all the wonderful recipes that you come up with every week – always inspiring and delicious dishes! Love the shot with you and all of your friends – you all look great! The redesign looks amazing and so does that awesome cake. Here’s to many more years from the Beach House Kitchen! XO
Thanks so much Geraldine. So happy you enjoy the blog! I really appreciate the time you take to stop by, take a peek at what I’m serving up and leave a comment! Looking forward to many more years!
Congratulations on five years of blogging! Here’s to the next five.
Thanks so much Mike! Looking forward to it!
WOOOT WOOT! Five years, Mare!! How’d that happen?! BLINK! That Rose… she’s on to something. I love your new tag line and new features… you’ve build a fabulous community Mare and something to be so very proud of! Now, this cake! OMGeee totally epic and SO beautiful! I would have devoured it ALL! lol
If it wasn’t for Rose there would be no BHK Traci. She’s a treasured friend for sure! I’m so lucky to have virtually met you through blogging. You are on my bucket list of bloggers to meet in person. We’ve got to make that happen one day! You would adore this cake! That coffee cream and ganache filling is totally divine! My girlfriends loved it!
5 years young! Amazing how time flies when you’re having fun, and what a fun cake to celebrate with!
So much fun Kevin!!