DARK AND DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH RICH CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Ingredients

• Unsweetened cocoa powder (for dusting pans)*
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup hot water
• 2 tsp instant coffee granules
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Rich Chocolate Frosting*

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9 inch round baking pans. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper; grease parchment paper and dust with cocoa.
2. Combine flour, sugar, 3/4 cup cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl; set aside.
3. Combine hot water and coffee granules, stirring until dissolved; cool.
4. Whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla in a bowl until blended. Whisk in coffee. Add coffee mixture to flour mixture.
5. Using medium speed of an electric mixer, beat just until blended, about 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared pans.
6. Bake until a cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, about 30 - 35 minutes.
7. Cool cakes in pans on racks for 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto racks, remove parchment paper and cool completely. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread thickly with some of the Rich Chocolate Frosting. Place second cake layer on top. Spread remaining Rich Chocolate Frosting over top and sides of cake.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 tsp instant coffee granules
• 4 1/2 cups icing sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
• 3/4 cup salted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Yield: Makes about 4 cups.

Directions

1. Combine hot water and coffee granules, stirring until dissolved; cool to room temperature.
2. Combine icing sugar and cocoa.
3. Using medium speed of an electric mixer, beat butter until creamy. Beat in half of icing sugar mixture and half of coffee until blended. Beat in remaining icing sugar mixture, remaining coffee and vanilla until fluffy.