Chocolate Gingerbread Layer Cake with Vanilla Molasses Buttercream

Ingredients

• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1.5 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3.5 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 tsp espresso powder
• 1 tsp molasses
• For the cake:
• For the ganache:
• 1.75 - 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp buttermilk
• 180 g | 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder (Ghirardelli is my favorite)
• 1/2 cup oil (almond oil, avocado oil, melted coconut oil)
• 3 oz 60-70% dark chocolate
• For the vanilla molasses buttercream*:
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temp
• ~1 Tbsp cold cream