"Hot" Chocolate Cake

Cake

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened dark baking cocoa
• 2 teaspoons ground red pepper (cayenne)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups hot water or hot strong brewed coffee

Spicy Bittersweet Ganache

• 10 oz bittersweet baking chocolate, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

White Chocolate Ganache

• 24 oz white chocolate baking bars or squares, chopped
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 tube (0.68 oz) red decorating gel