Birthday Time!

Thursday December 23rd was my birthday. My husbands is Decemebr 28th. Today January 3rd is my son Ian's birthday. January 19th is my middle daughter's and February 3rd is my oldest daughter's birthday. When they were all at home they only wanted chocolate cake for their special day. I have to say that by the time February came around I was a little tired of chocolate cake. LOL.
But if you love chocolate you should try this cake. Its not hard to make at all, just follow the directions and use the right size pans ( I put parchment paper in the bottom of mine so the cake doesn't stick) and you'll get "perfect" chocolate cake.

McCalls Perfect Chocolate Cake


So chocolaty, moist and delicious. Follow recipe exactly for best results.
• CAKE:

1 cup unsifted unsweetened cocoa

2 cups boiling water

2 3/4 cups sifted all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup butter or regular margarine, softened

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

FROSTING:

1 pkg (6 oz.) semisweet chocolate pieces

1/2 cup light cream

1 cup butter or regular margarine

2 1/2 cups unsifted confectioner's sugar

FILLING:

1 cup heavy cream, chilled

1/4 cup unsifted confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In medium bowl, combine cocoa with boiling water, mixing with wire whisk until smooth. Cool completely. Sift flour with soda, salt, and baking powder. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease well and lightly flour three 9 by 1 1/2 inch layer cake pans.



In large bowl of electric mixer at high speed beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, scraping bowl occasionally, until light--about 5 minutes. At low speed, beat in flour mixture (in fourths), alternately with cocoa mixture (in thirds), beginning and ending with flour mixture. Do not overbeat. Divide evenly into pans; smooth top. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until surface springs back when gently pressed with fingertip. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Carefully loosen sides with spatula; remove from pans; cool on racks.



Frosting: In medium saucepan, combine chocolate pieces, cream, butter; stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from heat. With whisk, blend in 2 1/2 cups confectioners; sugar. In bowl set over ice, beat until it holds shape.



Filling: Whip cream with sugar and vanilla; refrigerate.



To assemble cake: On plate, place a layer, top side down; spread with half of cream. Place second layer, top side down; spread with rest of cream. Place third layer, top side up.



To frost: With spatula, frost sides first, covering whipped cream; use rest of frosting on top, swirling decoratively. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. To cut, use a thin edged sharp knife; slice with a sawing motion. Serves 10-12. ( Not at my house !!! Lol )