Recipe Station

The following serves ten people … or maybe one person for a week if she hides it in the refrigerator behind the gallon of milk, liter of soda, and large container of butter. Did I say that out loud?

The Delectable Frosting:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup double-strength brewed coffee
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For The Cake:

• 2 cups granulated white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 4 ounces good-quality unsweetened or 82% extra dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup hot double-strength brewed coffee
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1. For the frosting, heat the cream, butter, sugar and salt over low heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted and smooth. Add coffee and vanilla; stir until blended. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature, stirring minimally, until it reaches a spreadable consistency (about 2 hours). While the frosting is cooling, make the cake.
2. For the cake, preheat oven to 325°F. Generously coat the bottom of two 9-inch round cake pans with shortening. Line the pans with parchment paper rounds and coat the bottom and sides with additional shortening; toss with flour, discarding the excess. (I highly recommend using Baker's Joy, a shortening spray with flour added. It is much easier!)
3. In a medium bowl, sift together sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk the chocolate into the hot coffee until completely melted. In another large mixing bowl combine the eggs, oil, sour cream, and vanilla and whisk until combined. Stir the melted chocolate into the egg mixture. Lastly, fold in the flour mixture in 1/3 increments, stirring well after each addition, making sure the flour is completely incorporated and there are no lumps.

For the rest of this delicious recipe please go to The Kitchen. There you will learn how long to bake the cake and how long they should cool before layering on the yummy chocolate frosting!

Chocolate cake, maybe a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a tall glass of milk … or coffee … or tea … Oh, let’s face it, anything is paired perfectly great with  a slice of luscious chocolate cake with ganache frosting!