Cake, Chocolate Butter Cake

By Floridaberry

Ingredients

• Chocolate Cake:
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 1/4 cups al purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups granulated white sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pur vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk
• Frosting;
• 5 onces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup milk
• 4 cups (1 pound) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted to remove lumps
• 1/8 easpoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces

Preparation

Step 1

Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place rack in center of oven. Butter or spray with a nonstick vegetable spray, and line with parchment paper two 9 x 2 inch deep round baking pans. Set aside.

In a stainless steel or heatproof bowl place the chopped unsweetened chocolate and cocoa powder. Pour the boiling water over the chocolate and cocoa powder and stir until they have melted. Set aside to cool while you make the batter.

In a separae bowl, whisk to combine, the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, Set aside.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream the butter. Gradually, add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is fluffy (this will take about 3-5 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and melted chocolate mixture and beat to combine.

Add the milk and flour mixtures in three additions. Beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat only until the ingredients are incorporated.

Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops spring back when lightly pressed. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Butter or lightly spray a wire rack with Pam before inverting the cakes onto the rack to prevent the cakes from sticking. Cool the cakes completely before frosting.

Frosting: Melt the chopped chocolate in a stainless steel bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat and let cool. Then place the melted chocolate, milk, confectioners sugar, salt, and vanilla extract in the bowl of your electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment. (Alternatively, you can use a hand mixer.) Add the pieces of softened butter and beat on low speed for about 2 minutes. When the frosting starts to come together increase the speed to medium and beat for about 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the speed to high and beat the frosting for 1-2 minutes more or until it is of spreading consistency. If necessary, add more milk or sugar.

To Assemble: Place one layer of cake, top side down, on your serving plate and cover with a layer of frosting. Then place the second layer of cake, top side down, onto the first cake layer and then frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Can garnish with fresh fruit or shaved chocolate.

Serves 8-10 people.