Funfetti Cake Dough Brownie Layer Cake

Once again it was my sister's turn at work to bring birthday dessert ...and we know what happens when it's my sister's turn - she either buys something or asks her baking sister if she'd like to volunteer :). Last year it was Sprinkles No-Bake Cheesecake (click here for that recipe), here's what "we" (meaning me) came up with this time - 3 brownie layers sandwiched with a funfetti cake dough (unbaked! you don't use eggs in the dough so it's safe to eat raw), drizzled with chocolate ganache, topped with tons of sprinkles and a bit of buttercream decorations. Whew - it's super rich and decadent, very impressive looking, and according to my sister everyone loved it. Yay!

I followed the recipe as printed (I know, I rarely do that!), even making the brownies from scratch based on the recipe author's promise that they are delish - and they are - if you want to make brownies from a box you'll need 2 boxes. Oh wait, I did make one change and that is I used 9" pans instead of 8" and baked them for a few minutes less. I think this would also work in a 13x9 pan and just do a bottom brownie, top with funfetti dough, then another brownie layer - I might try that in the future. Here's the recipe (with any notes I made in parentheses):

Brownies:

• 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla
• 6 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup dark cocoa
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (note: I used coarse salt)

1. Line the bottoms of three 8" cake pans with parchment paper and grease the sides. (note: I used 2 9"inch pans, baked 2 of them reserving 1/3 of the batter and then baked the remaining 1 after removing the brownies from one of the pans...this is because I only have 2 pans!)
2. Mix together the oil, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add eggs and mix until well combined.
3. In another bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture until well combined. 
5. Pour the batter evenly into the three pans and spread evenly. (note: this made 5 cups of batter, I took out 1/2 cup and baked it in a small ramekin (so I'd be able to sample!), each 9" pan got about 1 1/2 cup of batter).
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs. (note: bake less if you use a larger pan).
7. Remove brownies from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then remove to cool on a wire rack. 
8. While brownies are cooling make the funfetti cake dough.

Cake Dough:

• 1 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• two boxes funfetti dry cake mix
• 1 1/3 cups flour
• 3-4 Tablespoons milk
• 4-5 teaspoon sprinkles
• 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Mix in vanilla.
3. With the mixer on low speed, add one entire box of dry cake mix, plus 1 1/2 cups from the second box of cake mix; mix until combined.
4. Add 1 cup four, mix until combined.
5. Add milk and up to an additional 1/3 cup of flour to preferred thickness (note: not knowing what it was supposed to be like I didn't know the "preferred thickness! It needs to hold it's shape when sandwiched in between the brownies so it needs to be really thick). 
6. Stir in sprinkles and chocolate chips. Set aside.

To assemble the cake:

Once the brownies are cool you can put the layers together. Either pile the funfetti dough onto the brownies and stack, or use this method to have clean edges and sides of the cake.

1. Place 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips in a bowl. 
2. Microwave 1/2 cup heavy cream until it starts to boil. Remove from microwave and pour over chocolate chips. Cover the bowl with saran wrap for 5-7 minutes. 
3. Whisk chocolate and cream until smooth.
4. Using one of the same cake pans that you baked the brownies in, put saran wrap in the bottom and up the sides of the pan - you'll use it to lift the layers out of the pan.
5. Place the first brownie into the bottom of the pan. Add about 3 Tablespoons of chocolate ganache (that's the chocolate and cream mixture you just made) on top of the brownie and spread into a thin layer. This will help the dough stick to the brownie. (note: I didn't use that much after I did it the first time - the ganache ran out the sides and made it messy. Just use enough to thinly coat the brownie).
6. Put half of the dough into the pan and spread evenly on top of the brownie.
7. Remove the first two layers from the cake pan and place on it's serving dish. 
8. Repeat steps 5-7 with the second brownie and remaining cookie dough, remove from pan.
9. Put more chocolate ganache on top of the dough layer from the first section of cake, spread thinly. Place the second section of cake onto the first.
10. Put more chocolate ganache on top of the top cookie dough layer and spread thinly. Top with remaining brownie.
11. Press more sprinkles into sides of cookie dough, if desired. 

To finish:

1. Place 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips in a bowl.
2. Microwave 1/2 cup heavy cream until it starts to boil. Remove from microwave and pour over chocolate chips.
3. Cover bowl with saran wrap for 5-7 minutes.
4. Whisk chocolate and cream until it's smooth. 
5. Allow to sit for a few minutes until it just starts to thicken, then pour over the top of cake letting it run down the sides. Top with sprinkles.
6. Place cake in the fridge and make the chocolate icing.

Chocolate Icing:

• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup dark cocoa
• 1 Tablespoon milk

1. Beat the shortening and butter together until smooth.
2. Slowly add the powdered sugar and cocoa, mix until smooth.
3. Add milk and mix until smooth.

Pipe icing onto the top edge of the cake, finish with more sprinkles if desired!

*With the little ramekin brownie,  I made Dave a mini baby cake with a bit of the cake dough and ganache so he could try it...the man didn't stop raving the entire time he ate it! I quote "that's as good as it gets", and "that was over the top", and "that was unbelievable" hahahaha. Definitely a hit!

found the recipe here on Pinterest.