Ingredients for cake: 1-cup Cocoa 2-cups water, boiling 2¾-cups flour 2-teaspoons baking soda ½-teaspoon salt ½-teaspoon baking powder 1-cup butter, softened 2½-cups sugar 4-large eggs 1½-teaspoons vanilla Ingredients for cake filling: 1-cup heavy cream ¼-cup powdered sugar 1-teaspoon vanilla Instructions: In medium bowl combine cocoa with boiling water; mix with wire whisk till smooth and cool completely.
In a separate bowl mix flour, soda, salt and baking powder; preheat oven to 350°.
Grease well and lightly flour 3 (9x1½-inch) layer cake pans.
In large bowl of electric mixer at high speed beat butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla, scraping bowl occasionally, until light, about 5 minutes.
At low speed beat in flour mixture and cocoa mixture.
Divide evenly into pans; smooth top.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes until top springs back when pressed with finger.
Cool in pans 10 minutes.
Carefully loosen sides with spatula and remove cakes to cool on racks.
Filling:Whip cream with sugar and vanilla; refrigerate.
To assemble cake, on plate place a layer, spread with half of cream, then second layer and spread with rest of cream.
Add 3rd layer then frost.
(See frosting on next page) Serves 8 MOST PERFECT CHOCOLATE CAKE FROSTING By:Cristie Will Ingredients: 6-ouncesSemi Sweet Chocolate Chips ½-cupLight cream 1-cup Butter 2½-cupsSugar, powdered Instructions: In medium saucepan, combine chocolate chips, cream, butter; stir over medium heat until smooth and remove from heat.
With whisk blend in 2½ cups of powdered sugar over ice; beat until it holds shape.
This is a lot of work, but worth it.
Makes between 3½ to 4 cups of icing