The Ultimate Chocolate Fudge Three Layer Cake

Talk about rich and shocking. This beautiful cake is a winner with all chocoholics! Great for a dessert party, birthday party, or finale of an elegant meal.

• Ready In: 1 hr 50 mins
• Serves: 12-16
• Yields: 1 3layer cake

Ingredients

• Cake

• 1⁄3 cup water
• 2  ounces  unsweetened chocolate
• 2⁄3 cup shortening
• 1 3⁄4 cups sugar
• 2  large eggs
• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 3⁄4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup buttermilk
• 1  teaspoon vanilla

• Filling

• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1  cup milk
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  tablespoon vanilla
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

• Frosting

• 3  cups sugar
• 3⁄4 cup milk
• 3⁄4 cup butter or 3⁄4 cup margarine
• 3  ounces  unsweetened chocolate
• 3⁄4 teaspoon vanilla
•  chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions

1. For cake: Combine water and chocolate in small saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts.
2. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. Beat 2/3 cup shortening until creamy; gradually add 1 3/4 cups sugar, beating well and scrapping down edges of bowl.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Sift 2 1/2 cups flour, soda, and 1/2 tsp salt; add to cake batter, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
6. Add cooled chocolate mixture and 1 tsp vanilla; mix just until blended.
7. Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch layer pans.
8. Bake at 350* for 17-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool in pans on wire wracks for 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wracks.
10. For filling: Place 1/4 cup flour in small saucepan; gradually stir in milk.
11. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thick.
12. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
13. Beat butter and 1/2 cup shortening until creamy; gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating well.
14. Add 1 Tbsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt, and milk mixture; beat until smooth.
15. Spread filling between cake layers.
16. For frosting: Combine 3 cups sugar, 3/4 cup milk, 3/4 cup butter, 3 ounces chocolate in a medium saucepan.
17. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts.
18. Cook over medium heat until mixture boils; boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.
19. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
20. Beat at high speed of electric mixer until frosting is of spreading consistency.
21. Immediately spread on cake.
22. Garnish with chocolate shavings.