Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare three 6-inch round cake pans.

Step 2

Add all the dry ingredients to the stand mixer and give a quick whisk together.

Step 3

Add all wet ingredients except the vinegar and whisk until fully incorporated.

Step 4

Add the vinegar and mix until fully incorporated.

Step 5

Divide batter between pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.

Step 6

Cool in the pans for 10 minutes and then invert on a cooling rack to fully cool.

Step 7

In the bowl of a stand mixer beat the butter on high speed with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy.

Step 8

Add the icing sugar, salt, vanilla extract, instant espresso powder, and milk and mix on low until combined.

Step 9

Add in the chocolate cookie crumbs and mix on low until combined.

Step 10

Turn the mixer up to high and let mix for 5 minutes until smooth and creamy. Scrape the sides of the bowl when necessary.

Step 11

In a microwave-safe bowl heat the chocolate and milk in 30-second intervals until fully melted and smooth. Stir between each interval.

Step 12

Depending on the kind of milk, the drip may require a touch more milk to thin or a few more pieces of chocolate to thicken. *I always test my chocolate ganache drips over the edge of the kitchen sink before applying to a cake to check the consistency.

Step 13

Cut each cake layer into two with a leveler or a serrated knife.

Step 14

Place one leveled layer of chocolate cake on a cake board or plate. Top with approximately 1 cup of buttercream.

Step 15

Repeat with the remaining layers and apply a thin coat of buttercream all over the cake. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Step 16

Cover the cake with another layer of buttercream and smooth the sides.

Step 17

On a well-chilled cake, with a spoon or a piping bag, drip the chocolate ganache over the edges of the cake and put it back in the refrigerator.

Step 18

Decorate as you desire. I used a Wilton 1M tip to pipe buttercream ruffles around the top edge and placed a tiramisu Oreo in between each swirl. Enjoy.