Chocolate Buttercream Cake

Chocolate Buttercream CakeIngredients:For the cake:1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour1 cup cocoa powder1 ½ tsp. baking soda¼ tsp. salt¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature2/3 cup granulated sugar2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature2 tsp. vanilla extract1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature½ cup sour cream, at room temperature1 tsp. espresso powder2 tbsp. milk  For the frosting:10 oz. bittersweet chocolate8 oz. semisweet chocolate½ cup egg whites (3 extra-large eggs), at room temperature1 cup granulated sugarpinch of cream of tartar½ tsp. salt1 lb. unsalted butter, at room temperature2 tsp. vanilla extract2 tsp. espresso powder, dissolved in 1 tsp. water  Directions:Preheat the oven to 350°.  Butter two 8-inch round cake pans.  Line the bottoms with parchment paper, butter the paper, and dust the pans with flour, knocking out any excess.  In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars on high speed until light, approximately 5 minutes.  Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.  Combine the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee.  On low speed, add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture alternately in thirds, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture.  Mix the batter only until blended.  Divide the batter between the two pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.  Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes on a rack, remove from the pans, and allow to finish cooling.  To make the frosting, chop the chocolates and melt in a bowl over simmering water until smooth.  Allow to cool.  Mix the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk.  Heat the egg whites in the bowl over simmering water until they are warm to the touch, about 5 minutes.  Whisk on high speed for 5 minutes or until the meringue is cool and holds a stiff peak.  Add the butter, 1 tbsp. at a time, while beating on medium speed.  Scrape down the bowl, add the chocolate, vanilla, and espresso and mix for 1 minute or until the chocolate is completely blended in.  If the buttercream seems very soft, allow it to cool and beat it again.  To frost the cake, place one cake layer on a serving plate, flat side up.  Frost the top of that layer with buttercream.  Place the second layer on top, also flat side up and frost the top and sides. Source: adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten, Clarkson Potter, 1999