Fuck Yeah Cake!

I swear I made the most delicious chocolate cake EVER last night.  I've been in a baking mood for quite some time, and Brendan was sweet enough to buy me a form-spring pan for baking.  

I found this recipe through the Canadian Living site, and I must share it with the world!

**Chocolate Layer Cake**

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake:
1 cup (250 mL) butter, softened
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (125 mL) cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 mL) each baking powder and baking soda
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) buttermilk 

Chocolate Icing:
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) Unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (125 mL) whipping cream
1 tbsp (15 mL) vanilla
3 cups (750 mL) icing sugar
6 oz (175 g) Unsweetened chocolate, chopped, melted and cooled 

Chocolate Cake: Grease an 8-inch springform pan and line bottom with parchment or waxed paper. Set aside.

In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time; beat in vanilla. In separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. With wooden spoon, stir into butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, making 3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 of buttermilk. Spoon into prepared pans, smoothing tops.

Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool on racks for 20 minutes. Remove from pans; let cool completely on racks.

Cut each cake horizontally into 2 layers.

Chocolate Icing: In bowl, beat butter until fluffy; gradually beat in cream. Beat in vanilla. Beat in icing sugar, 1 cup (250 mL) at a time. Beat in melted chocolate until fluffy and smooth.

Place 1 layer, cut side up, on cake plate. Slide strips of waxed paper between cake and plate. Spread cut side with about 3/4 cup (175 mL) of the icing; cover with remaining half, cut side down. Spread top with another 3/4 cup (75 mL) of the icing. Repeat with remaining layers, spreading remaining icing over side and top. Remove paper strips.

In my case, I ran out of butter and had to use margarine for the icing.  At first I was leery, but it turned out pretty damn good actually.

And now...cake photos. (Forgive my shitty shirt, I was quite lazy that day.)

Jen helping to cut the cake.

You gotta make this cake.  For reals.

Smooches,

~E