Decadent Chocolate Cake!

It has been awhile since I made 
chocolate cake, so with this thought "floating" around in my mind, I thought I might make a chocolate cake this weekend - if I do, it will be my decadent chocolate cake! 

Ingredients -

• 2 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• Chocolate Chip Butter Cream, recipe follows
• Dark chocolate shavings, for decoration

Directions -

•  Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. 
• Add the cooled chocolate and vanilla and beat for 3 minutes to incorporate. 
• Beat in the eggs one at a time. 
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for another 3 minutes.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients in 3 batches, alternating with the cold water. Beat for 1 minute after each addition to incorporate the ingredients. Mix until the batter is smooth.
• Coat a 9x13 pan with non-stick cooking spray. 
• Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula; the pan should be 2/3 full. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, *Cook's note. The cake is cooked when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when touched, so check after 30 - 35 minutes and if you need to bake longer, do so for 3 or 4 minutes, then check again.
• Leave to cool for 40 minutes. 
• Frost with Chocolate Chip Butter Cream frosting
• Refrigerate for 5 minutes before decorating or cutting.
• With a large knife scrape some shavings from a block of dark chocolate. Scatter shavings over cake. 

Chocolate Chip Butter Cream:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 7 tablespoons hot water
• 4 ounces dark chocolate, melted and cooled
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup semisweet dark chocolate, finely chopped

Directions -

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, dissolve the sugar and water at low speed. 
• Beat in the dark chocolate and vanilla. 
• Add butter gradually in small bits. Mix until everything is completely incorporated. 
• Using a spatula, fold in the chopped chocolate and give a final quick spin.

What is your favorite chocolate cake recipe?