Our Favourite Chocolate Layer Cake

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 12 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 12 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 14 teaspoon salt
• 1 12 cups buttermilk
• 1 12 cups butter, softened
• 12 cup whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 3 cups icing sugar
• 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped, melted and cooled

1. In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy.
2. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time; beat in vanilla.
3. In separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Stir into butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, making 3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 of buttermilk.
5. Spoon into 2 greased then parchment paperlined 9-inch (1.5 L) round metal cake pans.
6. Bake in centre of 350F (180C) oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean.
7. Let cool on racks for 20 minutes.
8. Remove from pans; let cool completely on racks.
9. (Make-ahead: Wrap separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
10. Or overwrap in heavy-duty foil and freeze for up to 2 weeks.)
11. Cut each cake horizontally into 2 layers.
12. Chocolate Icing: In bowl, beat butter until fluffy; gradually beat in cream.
13. Beat in vanilla.
14. Beat in sugar, about 1 cup at a time.
15. Beat in chocolate until fluffy.
16. Place 1 layer, cut side up, on cake plate.
17. Slide strips of waxed paper between cake and plate.
18. Spread cut side with about 3/4 cup of the icing; cover with remaining half, cut side down.
19. Spread top with another 3/4 cup of the icing.
20. Repeat with remaining layers.
21. Spread remaining icing over side and top.
22. Remove paper strips.
23. (Make-ahead: Cover loosely and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
24. Let come to room temperature before serving.
25. ).
26. Variation:.
27. Chocolate Cupcakes: Spoon batter into 24 greased or paper-lined muffin cups.
28. Bake for about 20 minutes.
29. Transfer to racks and let cool.
30. Spread tops with icing.
31. Makes 24 cupcakes.
32. Canadian Living Magazine: March 2008.

butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, buttermilk, butter, whipping cream, vanilla, icing sugar, chocolate

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/our-favourite-chocolate-layer-cake-315742 (may not work)