Sweet & Savory - Triple Layer Chocolate Lovers Delight

Calling all chocolate lovers!  This triple layer delight is sure to delight. It's a tad labor intensive to prepare, but well worth the time and effort.

CAKE INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 tsp. salt, optional
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups hot water
• 2 tsp. vanilla
  

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Place cocoa powder in a 2 cup glass measuring cup.
• Heat water to boiling and blend thoroughly with cocoa powder.  Set aside.
• Mix butter until creamy.
• Add granulated sugar and beat with mixer until thoroughly blended.
• Fold in eggs.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
• Add the flour mixture and cocoa powder/water mixture alternately to the butter mixture.
• Mix at low speed on mixer until blended.
• Add vanilla.
• Pour batter into three 9 inch round cake pans that have been lined with wax paper which sides and bottoms have been sprayed with Baker's Joy or some other brand of non-stick baking spray with flour.
• Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool in cake pans on cooling racks for 10 minutes.
• Remove cakes from pans.
• Cool completely on cooling racks.

FILLING FOR BOTH LAYERS:

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar, approximately
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Whip heavy cream and vanilla until foamy as you gradually add the powdered sugar.
• Whip until soft peaks form.
• Chill while you prepare the frosting.

FROSTING;

• 2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, approximately
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup half & half

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Place butter, chocolate chips, and half & half in double broiler.  
• Melt ingredients in double boiler using medium heat and stirring until well blended.
• Remove from heat.
• Add confectioner's sugar.
• Place top of double broiler in a large bowl of ice water.
• Mix at low speed with hand mixer until frosting starts to hold shape and loses its glossy texture.
• You may need to add a titch more half & half to achieve the frosting spreading consistency you desire.

FINISHING THE CAKE:

• Select your cake serving plate or platter.
• Gently brush crumbs from each layer of the cooled cake.
• Place first layer of cake onto platter.
• Spread 1/2 of whipping cream mixture on top of first layer.
• Place second layer of cake on top of whipped cream mixture.
• Spread second layer with remaining whipped cream mixture.
• Using a sturdy thin spatula, start on the sides of the cake, and spread frosting evenly all the way around the cake.
• Spread remaining frosting on top of cake.
• Chill prior to serving.
• Refrigerate left over cake if you have any left over!

This is the perfect dessert for the holidays which will be a nice compliment to any entree.

If you are a chocoholic, I would love to hear your opinion regarding this cake recipe.

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