Best Ever Chocolate Cake

By AnnaMaria507

Ingredients

• Cake:
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cold black coffee
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• Frosting:
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 4 cups confectioner's sugar
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, divided

Details

Servings 12

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9" cake pans. In large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
2. Beat in the shortening with an electric mixer on low speed. Beat in milk, coffee and vanilla until combined. Increase speed to high and beat for 2 minutes. Add the eggs, beat for 2 minutes.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pans; smooth with a spatula. Bake the cakes in the middle of the overn until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool the cakes in the pans for 5 minutes, then turn the cakes onto the wire racks to cool completely.
4. For the frosting, combine the cocoa powder, butter, corn syrup, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the warm water, mix well. Beat in the confectioner's sugar in two batches. Beat until smooth.
5. Place one layer top side down on a large flat plate. Spread with 1 cup of the frosting, sprinkle with 2/3 cup walnuts. Top with the remaining layer top side up. Frost the top and sides with the remaning frosting, swirling with a small spatula. Garnish the cake with the remaining walnuts.