Elegant Chocolate Torte

A tender, four layer chocolate cake has a yummy pudding-like filling. Instead of the whipped cream frosting, you could use chocolate-flavored whipped topping." From Taste of Home.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup flour
• 3  tablespoons sugar
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1 3⁄4 cups milk
• 1  cup  chocolate syrup
• 1  egg, lightly beaten
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

• Batter

• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1⁄4 cups sugar
• 4  eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1⁄4 cups flour
• 1⁄3 cup  baking cocoa
• 3⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups  chocolate syrup
• 1⁄2 cup water

• Frosting

• 2  cups heavy whipping cream
• 1⁄4 cup  chocolate syrup
• 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. For filling, in a small saucepan, combine flour, sugar and salt. Stir in milk and syrup until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
2. Remove from heat. Stir in a small amount of hot mixture into egg; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Cool to room temperature, stirring often.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with syrup and water. Beat just until combined.
4. Pour into two greased and floured 9 inch round baking pans. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
5. Cut each cake in half horizontally. Place one bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with a third of the filling. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cake. In a mixing bowl, beat frosting ingredients until stiff peaks form; spread or pipe over top and sides of cake.