Ladies Home Journal - Their Best Chocolate Cake

This is a very nice chocolate cake, which has a very rich chocolate flavor.

• Ready In: 1 hr 40 mins
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1⁄4 cups buttermilk
• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1  pinch salt
• 1  cup butter, at room temperature
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 3  large eggs, at room temperature
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 1 2⁄3 cups powdered sugar
• 3⁄4 cup  whipping cream
• 4  ounces  unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 6  tablespoons butter, at room temperature

Directions

1. Cake: Place the cocoa powder in a small saucepan.
2. Gradually stir in the buttermilk.
3. Turn on heat and bring to a boil, stirring nonstop until smooth.
4. Let stand until completely cooled.
5. In a large bowl beat the butter until creamy.
6. Slowly add the sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
7. Add the eggs and mix well.
8. Add vanilla and blend.
9. Add all of the dry ingredients.
10. Stir.
11. Add the cooled cocoa mixture and beat until well blended.
12. Bake in two 9" cake pans for 28-30 minutes.
13. Cool completely.
14. Frosting: Bring the powdered sugar and the cream to a full boil in a medium-size saucepan, stirring until smooth.
15. Remove from heat.
16. Add the chocolate and stir until completely smooth.
17. Add vanilla and mix.
18. Stir occasionally until the mixture has the consistency of thick mayonnaise.
19. Beat the butter until creamy and gradually blend the butter and chocolate mixture together.
20. Frost the cake.