Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325°F convection or 350°F regular. Line two 8 round cake pans with a circle of parchment paper round or butter and flour the bottoms of the pans only, not the sides.

Step 2

Combine the yolks, 1/2 the sour cream and the vanilla in a small bowl, whisk to combine

Step 3

Into a mixer bowl put 1 1/4 cups of the sugar, sift in the flour, cocoa, leavening and salt. Mix on low speed to distribute the leavening. Add the butter to the flour mixture. Mix on low until the butter is incorporated and the batter looks like a paste. Add the other 1/2 of the sour cream to the flour and butter mixture. Increase the speed to medium and mix about 3 minutes until the batter lightens in texture.

Step 4

Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. With the mixer on low, add 1/2 the egg yolk mixture, mix to incorporate. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the rest of the egg yolk mixture. Scrape the bowl and mix until incorporated. Set the batter aside.

Step 5

Whip the egg whites on medium high until they form soft peaks. Turn the mixer to medium low and slowly add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar. Turn the mixer to medium high and whip the whites to full peak. Fold the whites into the batter in 2 parts, folding just until there are no streaks of egg whites.

Step 6

Divide the batter between the 2 pans and spread to level. Bake about 25-30 minutes until the center of the cake springs back when lightly pressed or a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

Step 7

Cool 10 minutes in the pan and then turn out onto a cooling rack. When fully cooled, wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 3 hours or over night before assembling.

Step 8

Make the Italian Meringue Buttercream according to the recipe. When the buttercream is done, add the melted chocolate and whisk until combined (see note). Add the rum.

Step 9

Divide the buttercream in 1/2, reserve one 1/2 for icing the cake, use the remaining for filling.

Step 10

Place the bottom layer on your serving platter. Brush the layer generously with rum syrup. Place 1/3 of the filling buttercream on the layer and spread it evenly to the edges. Repeat with the next three layers. Ice the sides and top of the cake with the reserved buttercream

Step 11

Serve at room temperature.