28 Layer Chocolate Cake | Anything With Alvin

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace. Head to bit.ly/squarespacebabish to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code BABISH.
This week on Anything with Alvin: A decadent, 28-layer chocolate cake for all your dessert-making needs - inspired by the famous 24-layer cake at Strip House.
Reference video: • What It Takes to Make ...
Follow Alvin Zhou on Instagram: alvin.zhou
Order the new Basics with Babish Cookbook: www.bingingwithbabish.com/coo...
Babish Cookware on Amazon: bit.ly/babishstore
My playlist of preferred cooking tunes, Bangers with Babish!
spoti.fi/2TYXmiY
BCU TikTok: bit.ly/2PLtohe
Binging With Babish Website: bit.ly/BingingBabishWebsite
Basics With Babish Website: bit.ly/BasicsWithBabishWebsite
Patreon: bit.ly/BingingPatreon
Instagram: bit.ly/BabishInstagram
Subreddit: bit.ly/3mkNpp6
Facebook: bit.ly/BabishFacebook
Twitter: bit.ly/BabishTwitter

[@snarky4lyfe144]

Next time you are doing a multi layer cake , this trick my professional cake maker aunt taught me , use dental floss , unflavored , to cut the cake . hold the floss tightly between your hands and slice . She has used this technique for years and years .

[@jessislistless]

That’s a very popular technique. However, it doesn’t work well with cold day-old cake.

[@Jeal0usJelly]

There's also cake cutters, basically a thin metal wire, best for soft cakes though

[@Numbabu]

Like a wire cutter for clay

[@nappa0582]

You mean people *DON'T* do this?

[@hotpotato1508]

Sounds easier than using a knife

[@NomenclaturalMan]

Beautiful cake! Side note: Do NOT use a blowtorch to heat up a knife, especially not sustained for that long. That discoloration of the steel means that the heat treat has been permanently ruined and the steel will become very soft and in spots where is has discolored and if on the edge, will not allow it to properly hold an edge.

[@daniellefoulkes7621]

Came here to say, way to detemper your knife!

[@justmutantjed]

I actually yelled at the TV. Holy moly, I've never been upset by anything on this channel till now.

[@NomenclaturalMan]

@@justmutantjed same, I suppose I don't expect people to know exactly why you shouldn't do that, but I expected they'd know better.

[@TheCaptainSplatter]

Let's skip that party.

[@tigertoxins584]

It can be retempered, polished, and sharpened, but it's just easier to buy a new knife with their budget and all

[@sjenkins91812]

The reason it's easier to cut the cake after you take out the first piece is a matter of physics and space. Wedging into the middle of something gives you equal resistance on either side, as opposed to taking something from the top of a stack compared to the middle. Once you remove that first piece, you get enough space to create extra leverage while cutting the next slice.

[@nicetomeetmew]

I had a 7 layer chocolate cake on holiday earlier this year and I thought nothing could beat that. Apparently, I was wrong. This looks incredible. I admire your dedication

[@BADeByrd]

Did you get it a a place called, "Claimjumpers"? They were famous during the 90s for having a tall cake like that.

[@IjeomaThePlantMama]

This feels like a sweet fan service throwback to Alvin's old "72 Hour Prime Rib" or "48 Hour Lasagna" videos 😊❤

[@Nocturne22]

A real throwback would be when he used to steal the recipes of small creators for Buzzfeed

[@Shifsabre]

Or 150 hour chocolate cake

[@mercurycures8204]

@@Nocturne22more like buzzfeed stole them for all of their staff to use

[@ToyotaKudoFan]

@@Nocturne22 maybe it's time to get over that just saying...

[@C.A.O.N]

@@ToyotaKudoFan no

[@Chefoso89]

So, no joke, I worked at Striphouse for about 7 years. While I wasn't the guy baking or making them, I was serving them at the pastry station. I've lost count of how many times I had to cut this cake. What I would do if we had a small piece from a tasting party, I'd put marshmallow fluff on one side flat, then torch it 🔥 The guy who makes them still works there (not the guy in the video), and he's one of the best bakers i've ever met in my life.

[@nicheekin3492]

One of my favourite parts of these videos is all the inventive ways Alvin uses up scraps. Its like a secret bonus recipe within the main recipe, and nothing goes to waste!

[@Teyeranitar]

You’re meant to mix the cold milk and the corn starch before adding them to the hot liquids. Corn starch dissolves easily in cold liquids, it clumps up in warm liquids. Once it’s dissolved, it won’t clump.

[@jenniferestes5293]

Corn starch also won't reach it's full thickening potential until what you're adding it to comes up to a full boil.

[@dungeonsanddragonsanddrive2902]

I absolutely adore the fact that those glasses are specifically designed to make sure liquid has a hard time running down their sides and Alvin managed to spill it almost every time 😭

[@UltimaKeyMaster]

It wouldn't be a BCU video without some very silly mistakes that just makes the video more charming and realistic.

[@majtravien4381]

and all it would take to fix would be to hold the cup at a slightly more downward angle when pouring 😭

[@shavonwalker2550]

My mom would make a seven layer chocolate cake every single year for the holidays. She doesn't do it anymore, but watching this video reminded me of that. Thanks for the memories!

[@bloosabina]

a family friend makes a 18 layer cake, but she bakes really thin slices rather than slicing it thin. It's kalled Dobos torta in Hungarian.

[@MeloniousThunk]

New Orleans has its own absolutely delicious take on the Dobos Torte called a Doberge cake. It’s made in several traditional flavors like lemon, chocolate and caramel, all with same-flavored custard filling, a layer of buttercream frosting on the exterior and finished with a glossy ganache layer (sort of like a petit fours).

[@nathanl8622]

With the amount of work that goes into making one of those suckers, I imagine the one you made yourself tastes better from the sense of accomplishment alone.

[@GosterMonster526]

I recently learned that if you lightly run butter/margarine/shortening under the lip of the measuring cup spout, it helps prevent the awkward spillover

[@majtravien4381]

you can also just angle it slightly more downward so that the side of the cup is not as (relatively) straight up, the liquid will have nowhere to go but through the lip and down into wherever you're pouring it into

[@flexivefowl8186]

I have a suggestion. Make Homer Simpsons cloves, Tom Collins mix and frozen pie crust.

[@peterprime2140]

*crunch* ... Let's go see mom.

[@brynshannon6692]

I needed to stop the video here in order to say that "Butter Spirit Bomb" is now my favourite new phrase, and thank you for providing it to me a mere 10 days before the end of the year.

[@timsloane]

Yeah, "Butter Spirit Bomb" is not a phrase I was expecting to hear today.

[@RIPMrAlwaysFirst]

You should make the Ramen from Ponyo

[@seanluzdeluna8153]

That'd be cool!😎👍🏼

[@AlexLopez-rr4nv]

Yes!!!

[@reggiec7841]

How many times do u people wanna see ramen get made...

[@biddinge8898]

Pretty sure that already happened

[@bladewolf39]

Broth, ramen, boiled eggs, ham, green onions, done. There you go. Saved you and them from a 12 minute video from making the simplest ramen possible.

[@johantank5631]

My grandmother used to make this cake on every large family occasion! Can confirm it’s amazing!

[@omgdontstealvids123]

Reminds me of smith island cake. Its a cake made only on smith island,an island in the Chesapeake bay that has only around 300 inhabitants. I think its also Maryland’s state cake

[@thomasyoung5452]

They’ve moved to Salisbury. We get a couple whenever the family gathers on the Shore.

[@limalicious]

Smith Island Cake, y'all.

[@RxCate]

Sooo, if you ever travel for a 'foodie tour' - these cakes are actually famous in Smith Island, Maryland - "Smith Island Cake" - not 28 layers, but normally 13-14 layers.

[@Bomples98]

Smith island cake. Popularized by Smith Island in the Chesapeake.

[@becspresso]

After so many videos that needed to split the recipe into two batches, I'm surprised Andrew doesn't spring for another mixer. As baker, I love that I get to decide who gets to lick the bowl (me, roommate, or share it). Spillage! Necessary in every Alvin video. :D

[@belialbathory2299]

When suffering a chilly kitchen soak a tea towel in warm water and wrap the mixing bowl (bottom) with the towel (ring out most of the water 1st). Hands free warmth that lasts. Or place a heating pad on low under the bowl. 😊

[@DLFH]

Excellent job! I had no doubts it would turn out. An anything with Alvin full meal would be fun to see what you would put together.

[@GreycatRademenes]

At first I thought it's going to be one of those Crêpe-cakes made of like 40+ crepes.

[@ScottBaietti]

Of all the things you guys have made, I think this one is one of the most insane. So decadent and over the top.

[@Chae.]

i really love in alvin's videos he always shows how he uses the extra food 😊

[@SheyD78]

As someone who's favourite cake was always chocolate mudcake, I definitely think yours looked better, even if it was a little less than perfectly level. Richer, moister, and hey, it has more layers, which makes it better right?

[@Moon525]

This is absolutely doesn’t look like and easy cake to make. Phenomenal work!

[@roscocsa]

That's gorgeous. Super well done.

[@AAngelUriel]

A fine piece of piano wire used like a wire saw between two keyrings (or pieces of wood) using pieces of cardboard in the sheet pan is the best slicer. A piece of baking parchment atop the cardboard keeps the cardboard from absorbing moisture too.

[@musicmashups]

The end of this video was basically "1000 Degree Knife vs 28-Layer Frozen Chocolate Cake."

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

LOVE chocolate! Thanks For this! 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫❤️❤️❤️🥹

[@pheflin526]

This reminds me of Smith Island Cake which is the State Dessert of Maryland

[@e.d.5766]

This reminds me of a moister version of a prinzregententorte. Prinzregententorte is a German cake that I would definitely recommend trying for anyone interested in a challenging recipe. If you do try it, definitely use the apricot jam: it's pretty common for recipes to suggest spreading apricot jam on your cake before pouring on the chocolate coating, this is just for function as it glues the chocolate to the cake, it won't have a big impact on flavour if you're concerned about that. That said, although I've never tried it, I'm sure other jams could work.

[@Lasciatemi_Guidare]

Apricot and chocolate sounds similar to Austria’s sachertorte. Yum.

[@fahimzahir9587]

They looked so disappointed eating the restaurant cake 😂

[@pepper86]

I wonder which would taste better: this 28 layer cake that Alvin just made or the 100 hour cake that he made a couple years ago. That would be an awesome "versus" video!

[@anfearaerach]

Buttercream isn't usual in Belgium, I'm used to either a jam filling, custard filling or whipped cream and fruits filling. Happy to see this

[@giggityguy]

I don't understand how none of these food professionals have heard of an adjustable cake leveler before

[@buttercupVT]

They do know what it is, they likely don't have one ready in the kitchen tho, they don't make cake super often.

[@MorganaDarkgoddess]

I agree. Should have had one of those. Even if they cut the edge of a box of cling wrap (the part with the teeth) and sawed their way across it.

[@Gatlinggunman]

You answered your own question. "Food Professionals" not "Bakers"

[@DeliaLee8]

A quick and easy recipe to try for the first time during the holidays. 😉😅 (looks delicious!)

[@gamersunite7968]

Seems like this is an amped up smith island cake

[@wolfishluppa]

Ooh, now I wanna try the 24 layer cake! Maybe someday. I sure would like to see a 100 layer cake version even if it turns out to be too big to carry home.

[@DHB373]

We have been buying a cake similar to this for decades, the Smith Island cake. Cool to see this version!

[@jesycashania7773]

Thank you for adding the subtitles 💗 Gonna start binge-watching the videos from now on 🤤

[@BhbtheRock]

Alvin transcends category and makes anything!

[@TruMaverick]

Actually, that is Ms. Truchbull famous cake. She made Bruce eat the whole thing.

[@sugarandspice4815]

Not only does this cake look... absolutely, decadently delicious, but it also reminds me of a Russian Honey Cake, whose recipe I once read in the New York Times a long time ago. It sounded incredibly labor-intensive, but with to-die-for results.

[@kstarler]

I hope you got to enjoy all of the steak and cake! Also, I hope your knife is still able to hold an edge after being heated with a torch.

[@CocoTheTortie]

9:58 That's a beautiful looking cake ❤

[@BaoHadir]

28 layers of chocolatey heaven. I'd definitely eat it and go to my grave with a smile.

[@TheOneWhoReportsForDuty]

Two dozen layers of chocolate cake. That sounds amazing.

[@marilynwebb2679]

I want that for my birthday!

[@MatthiaGryffine]

Now do Marinette's Giant Birthday Cake from Miraculous Ladybug. Alvin is the "Making It Big" guy after all, so such a cake would be right up his alley.

[@davidelsbury2917]

This is awesome! Well done Alvin! 😊

[@jasonmareno5394]

That’s basically a New Orleans Doberge Cake which is a 12 layer if you count cake can pudding layer.. Debbie Does Doberge in New Orleans is the best place to get them she mails them to you go check out all the flavors she’s makes!

[@trannigan3349]

That cake looks like heaven to me

[@rnb2087]

never seen you make a face that way after tasting something, so i know that cake was impossibly phenomenal!!

[@sarahwatts7152]

Looks amazing! I like the color of Alvin's better, though I wonder if it's the lighting

[@queenbunnie]

Love to see NY Cake showing up - best baking store there is.

[@j.corbygaming]

I want to try this so bad!!!!

[@Pheenixm16]

It’s easier to cut the second slice because you’ve dramatically increased the surface area near the center, changing the thermodynamics of the cake significantly. Now that the center is exposed, it can defrost much faster than when it was fully insulated. That’s why your second slice was easier

[@_jaded]

i need to ingest this immediately

[@brianmeehan94]

I made a 24 layer cake similar to ths earlier.. 2 days to complete but what a show stopper and delicious!!!

[@meraklibey]

First bite: Taste of heaven 😋 Second bite: Going to heaven 😇

[@The_tall_one843]

Idea: a new series called Bangers with Babish where you make the foods from songs like Jimmy Buffet’s Cheeseburger in Paradise or Weird Al’s Bologna

[@pandoraeeris7860]

I think mousse, stabilized chocolate whipped cream and cream cheese frosting would be excellent.

[@RevMet]

fantastic vid as always! Next would love to see some of the food from Sea of Stars!

[@AmraphelofShinar]

Alvin deserves an "A" for being awesome!

[@Ksweetpea]

This is a great spiritual successor to Alvin's 150-hr chocolate cake

[@TawnyPixie]

Once again, the story of friendship is what it's all about! ❤

[@Brogus123]

You should make all existing United State's state desserts: lane cake, peach pie, blueberry pie, Boston cream pie, kurchen, an ice cream cone, and especially the Maryland Smith Island cake which has 8-15 individually cooked cake layers

[@roxyspamcake]

I look forward to more videos from Alvin once he starts watching Dungeon Meshi (Delicious in Dungeon)

[@trailxrage]

That looks great. You have done an amazing job.

[@SarahAbramova]

Reminds me of the cake my mom makes for new years

[@4n631ic0b1ivi0n]

It would be cool to see the sweet bread Pan de Muerto from the animated movie The Book of Life.

[@nishankamin]

Wow! Didnt know Alvin had joined BCU. He was my favorite at tasty. Always use his recipe for 2 hour cookie and fudgy brownie.

[@dvaugha11]

Wowee! Neat to catch one this early!

[@LostZor0]

I don't care how hard this will be, but I am making this on christmas :)

[@Womper2]

This is slowly becoming Alvin's channel.

[@Brasc]

I'd like to see an Arcade with Alvin with Chunks from Starfield. Lots of other foods and drinks in the game too, but I want to see how those different flavored cubes could be made.

[@johnaeryns5364]

You know what would have made this project easier? Make the cake much more dense than normal and use a deli slicer. You could make the layers completely uniform, and you'd get a lot of them. The density of the cake won't be an issue either because of all the layers.

[@SarafinaSummers]

I would love a version of this that is pecan, caramel, and banana. I love that combination of flavors. So, have it be a pecan cake, with banana, cream, filling, and a caramel sauce.

[@davyjones3105]

I know I’m super late to this but I wanna see Babish make more simpsons foods. Mainly the pork chops with Cheetoh breading (I forget which episode), and the big platter of Ethiopian food from The Food Wife (I forget what the food is called). I also wanna see him make the Olive Garden food from that Family Guy episode where they join the coast guard (Spaghetti & meatballs, garlic breadsticks, ravioli, lasagna, & chicken parmesan.)

[@thelittleblackprince3114]

I love Alvin always spilling, it's one of his charms❤

[@ellieboa]

It’s beautiful!

[@chinncannon]

I had to comment about the spillage you experienced pouring the coffee into the large bowl from the pyrex pouring/measuring container. I have a similar container made in a similar way that drives me absolutely crazy. I can't stand when an item that is supposed to pour liquids into other containers and has a pour spout is unable to pour without the surface tension pour issue you demonstrated! This happens when you fill the container past a certain point where the surface tension overcomes gravity and pulls the liquid down the side of the dish instead of cleanly out the pour spout. It's an easy fix in the design phase but often gets changed to make the spout less fragile and prone to breakage. Sorry for the rant, love your videos

[@MorganaDarkgoddess]

You are not alone. If pouring was that difficult, there are ways to overcome that problem instead of the mess he was making.

[@dunkshot32]

All this work around leveling the cakes, have you guys considered a wire cake leveler? Seems like exactly the tool for the job.

[@racheldolfi6533]

I tried to buy one for this but couldn’t find one wide enough! I totally agree with you on that.

[@peter26514]

Great video, great cake! Loved the final part in the steak house!

[@marsoff9898]

I wish Babish made Banana Bread from Carol & the End of the World.

[@pimpernel666]

A butter Spirit Bomb?!? Amazing!

[@abrackas1]

Finally! 27 layers isn’t enough.

[@ourexcellentlife7944]

There you are Alvin. Nice to see you.

[@oetgaol]

I thought it was spekkoek for a minute. That is my favorite cake and unlike anything else.

[@GethOverlord]

I'm glad I'm not the only person that can never get a clean pour out of those Pyrex measuring cups XD

[@sleepyskunks8500]

Yay more Alvin!

[@dspiritlight]

that cake build was some of the highest concentration for nerves.

[@alessandromario8507]

It looks fantastic! I guess the "original" is more like a "biscuit al cioccolato" with a lot more air.

[@pedrozatravel]

Looks amazing, lots of work I am sure.

[@IDK-pi8hj]

Adjustable cake leveler 🤞🏾

[@jon-michaelharris5840]

that was incredible Alvin