Most Perfect Chocolate Cake

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-ounces Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

½-cup Light cream

1-cup Butter

2½-cups Sugar, 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

Cooking lessons for Cristie began at 8 years old with the best teacher in the world -- her Mom! Later, she cooked for the restaurant the family owned, and her love of the "trade" has grown ever since. Cristie's creative cooking has continued for over 40 years. Her creations can soon be on your kitchen table. Check out Cristie's books at http://www.cristiescookin.com and http://www.tjstokes.com

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