Chocolate Fudge Cake (Layer Cake)

By MarieR

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick; 4-ounces) unsalted butter
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate broken up
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (4-ounces) sour cream
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• FROSTING
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate broken up
• 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening (as Crisco)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick; 4-ounces) unsalted butter softened
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 box (1 pound) confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• GARNISH
• chocolate curls and berries optional

Details

Servings 1

Preparation

Step 1

MAKES: 12 servings. PREP: 20 minutes.

BAKE: at 350° for 40 minutes.
1. Heat oven to 350°.
Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Cake:
In a glass bowl, melt butter and chocolate together in microwave on HIGH until melted and smooth, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Set aside. On low speed, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl until blended.
3. Add sour cream, eggs, 1 cup water, chocolate mixture and vanilla; beat 30 seconds on low, until dry ingredients are moistened. Increase to medium; beat 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pans.
4. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until cake layers spring back when pressed.
5. Cool layers in pans on rack 10 minutes. Remove cakes to rack to cool.

6. Frosting:
In a small glass bowl, melt chocolate in microwave on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Set aside. Beat shortening, butter, sour cream, milk, vanilla, salt, 1 cup of the sugar and the cocoa powder in a medium-size bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in remaining sugar and melted chocolate until thick and smooth.
7. Place a cake layer on pedestal. Spread with about 2/3 cup frosting. Top with second layer; spread with about 2/3 cup more frosting. Top with remaining layer. Frost top and sides, swirling decoratively.

Garnish with chocolate curls and berries.

Family Circle, February 2006 Issue, Page 177