Dessert: Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Icing

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Icing


Cake:
¾ cup butter, softened
3 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1½ cups whole milk


1 – Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, lightly grease bottoms of two 8x8x2-inch square or 9x1½inc round cake pans. Then line bottom of pans with wax paper. Grease lightly flour bottoms and sides of pans. In a medium bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt, set aside.


2 – In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, about ¼ cup at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined (3-4 minutes). Scrape sides of bowl continue beating on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition (about 1 minute total). Beat in vanilla.

3 – Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Beat on medium to high speed for 20 seconds more. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan(s).

4 – Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes for 8-inch pans and 13x9x2-inch pan and 30-35 minutes for 9-inch pans, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool cake layers in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Peel off waxed paper. Cool thoroughly on racks, or place 13x9x2-inch cake in pan on wire rack; cool thoroughly. Frost with desired frosting.


Chocolate-Sour Cream Frosting


1 12-ounce package (2cups) semisweet chocolate pieces
½ cup butter
1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream
4½ cups sifted powdered sugar (about 1 lb)


1 – In a large saucepan melt chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring frequently. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. This frost tops and sides of two 8- or 9-inch cake layers. (Halve the recipe to frost a 13x9x2-inch cake.) Cover and store frosted cake in refrigerator.