Favorite Fudge Birthday Cake

This is from King Arthur Flour website. Really want to try this one - maybe for DH's birthday since he is a major chocoholic. Time for icing to set is not included in cooking time.

• Ready In: 58 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• Cake

• 2  cups sugar
• 2  cups unbleached flour
• 2  tablespoons cornstarch
• 3⁄4 cup  double-dutch  dark cocoa or 3⁄4 cup  Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 2  teaspoons  espresso powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 4  large eggs
• 3⁄4 cup  vegetable oil
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1⁄4 cups water

• Filling

• 12  ounces  semisweet chocolate
• 6  ounces heavy cream or 6  ounces milk

• Icing

• 8  ounces  semisweet chocolate
• 4  ounces  cream (light, whipping, or heavy)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour 2 8x2" round cake pans.
2. For cake:.
3. Whisk together dry ingredients.
4. Add eggs, oil, and vanilla, beating until smooth.
5. Gradually add the water, beating until smooth.
6. Pour batter into prepared pans.
7. Bake the cakes for 35 to 38 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes, then remove from pans to cool completely on wire racks.
8. For filling:.
9. Combine the chocolate and cream in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until the cream is very hot, and the chocolate very soft. Stir to melt the chocolate completely, reheating very briefly if necessary.
10. For icing:.
11. Combine the chocolate and cream in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until the cream is very hot, and the chocolate very soft.
12. Stir to melt the chocolate completely, reheating very briefly if necessary.
13. Pour and spread the icing over the top of the cake, letting it drip over the edges and down the sides. Once it’s done dripping, you may smooth the sides with an icing spatula, if desired.
14. Allow the cake to rest, covered with a cake cover (or a big turned-over bowl) till the chocolate is set; overnight is good, though several hours are sufficient.