Jim Bob's Chocolate-Molasses Cake

Rich and delicious, I got this from a cookbook of blue-ribbon winning recipes.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 20

Ingredients

• cake

• 2  cups granulated sugar
• 1 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3⁄4 cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 2  eggs
• 1  cup milk
• 1⁄2 cup dark molasses
• 1⁄2 cup canola oil
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 1  cup boiling water

• frosting

• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1  cup peanut butter
• 8  ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4  cups  sifted confectioners' sugar
• 3 -4  teaspoons milk

Directions

1. Combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl and stir with a whisk to blend.
2. Add the eggs, milk, molasses, oil, and vanilla and beat for 2 minutes.
3. Add the water and stir it into the batter by hand.
4. Pour the batter, which will be very thin, into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
6. To make the frosting, combine the butter, peanut butter, and cream cheese in a large bowl and beat until fluffy.
7. Slowly add the confectioners' sugar, beating to form a smooth frosting.
8. Add the milk 1 tsp at a time until the frosting reaches the desired spreading consistency.
9. Frost the cake and let it sit for 30 minutes before cutting.