Emeril's Chocolate Brownie Cake

Feb. 12 -- Looking for some luscious dessert recipes that are sure to make your Valentine smile? Here are Emeril Lagasse's recipes for Chocolate Brownie Cake with Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting and Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake.

Chocolate Brownie Cake

Yield: One 9-inch layer cake equals 10 to 12 servings

• 1/2 pound butter, softened at room temperature • 2 cups sugar • 2 eggs • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 4 tablespoons cocoa powder • 1/2 cup buttermilk • 1/2 cup sour cream • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract •Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting recipe (below)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) cake pans, and line with parchment paper.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and mix until thoroughly combined.

3. Into a medium mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking soda and cocoa powder together.

4. In a small mixing bowl whisk the buttermilk, sour cream and vanilla together.

5. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in 3 batches, alternating with the liquid ingredients.

6. Divide the cake batter evenly among the 2 prepared cake pans and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean and the edges of the cake just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 to 35 minutes.

7. Transfer the cakes to a cooling rack and allow the cakes to cool in the pans. Carefully remove the cakes from the pans and frost as usual for a layered cake with the Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting.

Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting

• 1 stick butter, softened • 1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted • 8 ounces cream cheese • 1 pound powdered sugar, sifted • 2 tablespoons buttermilk • 1 teaspoon vanilla