Chocolate Lovers' Cake

This is by far my favorite chocolate cake recipe. I use it for birthday parties all the time. It's moist,

flavorful, and so much better than store bought without taking a ton of time to make. It also uses ingredients that most people have in their pantry.

Cake

• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup melted butter (you can substitute 1/2 with unsweetened applesauce and then use a little less sugar)
• 1 cup hot coffee
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon coffee extract

Frosting

I use Alton Brown's Ganache Frosting recipe for the filling and frosting. I would have added chocolate curls using a potato peeler if I had remembered to grab and extra chocolate bar.

• 16 oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
• 1 pint heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325˚.
2. Sift together all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add oil, coffee, and milk; mix at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla; beat 2 more minutes.
3. Pour into two greased and floured 9” cake pans. Bake at 325˚ for 30-35 minutes.
4. While the cakes bake, heat your cream to a simmer in the microwave (2-4 minutes depending on your microwave). Pour over your bowl of chocolate chips and whisk together till completely combined. Set aside for 2 hours, then whisk in your stand mixer till it becomes a frosting consistency (2-3 minutes).
5. Even out your bottom layer, cover with filling. Place second layer on top of the filling. Frost. Slice. Enjoy! :)