Hanukkah Gelt Double Fudge Chocolate Layer Cake

This is a Dorn family tradition! Each year the kids try to outdo each other decorating the cake.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• CAKE

• 2  cups sugar
• 1 1⁄4 cups  oil
• 3  eggs
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1  cup  cocoa, measured then sifted
• 1 1⁄2 cups  warm flat  cola drink

• CHOCOLATE ICING

• 1⁄2 cup chocolate chips, melted and cooled
• 2  tablespoons shortening
• 3⁄4 cup unsalted butter or 3⁄4 cup unsalted margarine
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 3⁄4 cup  cocoa, measured then sifted
• 3  cups confectioners' sugar, measured then sifted, up to 4
• 1⁄2 cup water or 1⁄2 cup  cola or 1⁄2 cup half-and-half

• GARNISH

• 20 -30  gold chocolate coins
•  colored sprinkles or   candy sprinkles

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Lightly grease (2) 9-inch layer pans and line with parchment paper circles.
3. In a large mixing bowl, blend sugar and oil.
4. Add eggs and mix until well blended and mixture is thick and lightened in texture.
5. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and cocoa.
6. Fold dry ingredients into wet- and mix- drizzling in cola as mixture blends.
7. If using an electric mixer, use slow speed and mix about 3 minutes, scraping sides and bottom once to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
8. This is a thin batter.
9. Bake, on middle oven rack, 35-40 minutes, until cakes spring back when lightly touched.
10. ICING: Cream melted chocolate, shortening, butter and vanilla with cocoa and 1 cup of the confectioner's sugar.
11. Add remaining confectioner's sugar and whip on high speed, adding in a bit of water, cola or half-and-half to get a light, fluffy consistency.
12. If not using right away, re-whip before using.
13. Add additional warm water to get correct consistency (a tablespoon at a time).
14. DECORATING: Place one layer on a cardboard circle.
15. Ice this with about 1/2- inch of frosting.
16. Place top layer and ice cake- sides first.
17. Coat sides with colored sprinkles.
18. Garnish bottom edge with coins.
19. Garnish top with coins- placing them either flat on top of cake or standing up (You may cut some of the coins in half to garnish border of top layer).
20. Place a couple of miniature dreidels in centre if desired or Chanukah candles (can be lit when menorah is lit).