1cupunsweetened cocoa powder, For really dark frosting, use part Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa, about 4 tablespoons
2teaspoonsvanilla
¼cupplus 2 tablespoons milk
additional chopped chocolate for topping cake, optional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line two 9-inch round cake pans with wax or parchment paper. Spray the pans and parchment with cooking oil, such as PAM.
Pour the boiling water over the chocolate in a medium size bowl.
Add cocoa powder and stir until mixture is smooth.
Set aside to cool.
Cream the butter and brown sugar in a separate large bowl.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
Add the dry ingredients and half of the chocolate mixture.
Beat on low to combine, then on high for 1-2 minutes.
Add the remaining chocolate mixture and beat on low until mixed.
Pour batter into pans and bake 25-30 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean with a few moist crumbs attached.
Cool for 10-15 minutes; remove from pans.
Wrap in double layers of plastic wrap while still warm and freeze.
Double recipe makes two 10" layers plus two 8" layers or four 9" layers.
Never fill pans more than ⅔ full.
Frosting directions:
Cream butter with mixer.
Add powdered sugar and cocoa, a little at a time. Mix in vanilla.
Add milk and beat until frosting is smooth. Add a little more milk if needed.
When cake is frozen solid, frost between the two layers and spread a thin layer of frosting over the whole cake.
Freeze again for about 20 minutes.
Frost again.
Repeat if desired. (Frost the last time on the day you plan to serve the cake and let it stand at room temperature to thaw.)
Top cake with chopped chocolate after frosting for the last time.
See notes for quick frost and serve directions.
Notes
-I like Scharffen Berger Chocolate for this recipe. The Semi Sweet Dark Chocolate Baking Bar is my favorite. You may use chocolate chips in this recipe, but I prefer dark chocolate baking bars.-Purchase bakers pans for this recipe. The sides of the pans are straight and will not allow the pans to fit all the way into each other. Read more about pans on the original post. -Put a small amount of frosting (about 1/2 tablespoon) in the middle of the platter before placing the first cake layer on the platter. This will help hold the cake in place.-Use strips of parchment paper under the first layer of cake to help keep the platter clean. When ready to serve, remove the paper and use a damp cloth to clean up any smudges of frosting. -If you don't have time to freeze the cake for the directed amount of time before frosting, wrap the cake in plastic wrap and freeze for about an hour. Remove and frost the bottom layer and rest of cake as directed. Place in fridge or freezer until about an hour before serving. Remove from freezer to let thaw before serving.