Your New Favorite Double Chocolate Cake w Frosting Choices

Submitted by: June Shockley
in consultation with the Barefoot Contessa

Cake
Sift together dry ingredients and set aside

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder
• 2 1/1 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine wet ingredients and set aside

• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 3 Tablespoon brewed coffee

In a large mixing bowl combine

• 2 sticks softened butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar

1. Gradually add 3 eggs, one at a time
2. Add 3 teaspoons real vanilla extract
3. Gradually add dry ingredients and then wet ingredients alternately, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix well.

Preheat oven 350
Baking Choices

Grease and flour two 9 x 9 cake pans, bake approximately 30 min. - test with toothpick before removing from oven, toothpick should come out dry

Large sheet cake or 9 x 13 , bake approximately 30 min

Cupcakes, approximately 20 min.

Choice #1 Traditional Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

• 1 lb. powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup Hershey's cocoa, or 1.2 cup for medium  or 3/4 cup for dark
• 1 stick softened butter
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3-6 Tablespoon milk

Combine 1/3 of sugar with butter and salt in medium mixing bowl
Blend extract, 2 Tablespoons of milk and remaining sugar into mixture
Gradually stir in milk 1 Tablespoon at a time until desired consistancy is reached.  Be sure cake is thoroughly cooled before frosting.  If the cake is warm the frosting will just melt into a puddle (believe me I know!)  This frosting keeps well in a container in the refrigerator for a couple weeks.  When ready to use let it become soft at room temperature.

Choise #2 Elegantly Smooth Chocolate Ganache Frosting

• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder, optional

Place a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water, and whisk together the chocolate, cream, and espresso  powde. Continue whisking until chocolate is melted and the mixture is thick, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.Yield: 1 cupFrosting