For the Black Chocolate Cake:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, black cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
4. Add hot water: Slowly pour in the hot water, mixing on low speed until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin—this helps create a moist cake.
5. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Bright Red “Lava” Ganache:

1. Heat the cream: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer—do not let it boil.
2. Pour over white chocolate: Place the chopped white chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Pour the hot cream over the white chocolate and let it sit for 2–3 minutes to soften. Stir until smooth and fully melted.
3. Color the ganache: Add red food coloring gel a little at a time, stirring well after each addition, until you achieve a vibrant red color. Let the ganache cool slightly until it thickens to a pourable consistency.

Assemble the Cake:

1. Level the cake layers: If necessary, use a serrated knife to level the tops of the cakes so they are flat and even.
2. Stack the layers: Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a thin layer of ganache on top, then place the second layer on top.
3. Drip the ganache: Pour the red ganache over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides to create a “lava” effect. You can use the back of a spoon to guide the ganache over the edges for more dramatic drips.
4. Decorate: Sprinkle black edible glitter or black sprinkles over the cake for extra sparkle. Add candy rocks or crushed chocolate cookies around the base of the cake for a volcanic effect.
5. Serve: Let the ganache set slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy your dramatic Mount Doom-inspired creation!