Chocolate Valentine Cake with Glossy Chocolate Frosting

*Elaine*'s Note:

This yummy cake is great anytime, but especially to finish off that special meal on Valentine's Day. The cake is slightly dry, but complements the rich, creamy frosting very well.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12-14

Yield: 1.0 cake

Cake

• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate bits (1 cup)
• 1⁄3; cup boiling water
• ¾ cup butter
• 3 eggs , separated
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ¾ cups sifted flour
• 1 ¼ cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 2⁄3; cup milk
• ¼ teaspoon red food coloring

Frosting

• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate bits (1 cup)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup boiling water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. To prepare the cake: Preheat oven to 350* (F).
2. Grease and flour a 9x13x2 inch pan; set aside.
3. Melt chocolate in boiling water; cool.
4. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar.
5. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well.
6. Stir in cooled chocolate and vanilla.
7. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
8. Add sifted ingredients to cake batter, alternating with milk.
9. Add red food coloring.
10. In another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff, but not dry.
11. Fold into batter.
12. Pour into prepared baking dish.
13. Bake 35-40 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
14. Cool; frost with prepared frosting.
15. For frosting: Mix sugar, cornstarch and salt together.
16. Add sugar mixture to boiling water, stirring constantly over medium heat, until mixture comes to a boil.
17. Boil for one minute then remove from heat.
18. Stir in chocolate bits until smooth.
19. Stir in butter and vanilla.
20. Spread on cake while still warm.

Reviews

[-JL-]

I'm sorry for the low review but this cake was very, very dry, even after I brushed a good amount of raspberry liquer on each layer. I think if the eggs are added whole to this recipe rather than separating & whipping the egg whites, it would be much better.

[Amazin Grace]

I love chocolate and this is outstanding

[Joygi]

Didn't make the cake but the frosting is the best I've ever had...simply delicious, smooth, shiny, creamy...loved it!!