Hershey's Special Dark Picnic Cake

A luscious, richly flavored chocolate cake.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 12-15

Ingredients

• Cake

• 1  cup  hershey's special  dark chocolate chips
• 1⁄4 cup butter (not spread or tub product) or 1⁄4 cup margarine (not spread or tub product)
• 1 1⁄3 cups boiling water (subbing coffee will intensify flavor)
• 2 1⁄3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄4 cups sugar
• 1⁄2 cup sour cream
• 2  eggs
• 2  teaspoons baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

• Frosting

• 1⁄4 cup butter (not spread or tub product) or 1⁄4 cup margarine (not spread or tub product)
• 1  cup  hershey's special  dark chocolate chips
• 1 1⁄2 cups powdered sugar
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Grease and flour 9 x 13 baking pan.
3. Combine chocolate chips, butter and water in large mixer bowl; stir with spoon until chocolate is melted and mixture is blended.
4. Gradually add flour, sugar, sour cream, eggs, baking soda, salt and vanilla; beat on low speed of electric mixer until smooth.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan.
6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.
7. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
8. For Frosting:.
9. Place butter and chocolate chips in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high 1 minute; stir.
10. If necessary, microwave on high for 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred.
11. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, milk and vanilla, beating until smooth.
12. If necessary, refrigerate 5 to 10 minutes or until of desired spreading consistency.
13. For a stronger chocolate flavored cake, decrease flour to 2 cups and add 1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa.