Chocolate Cake to the Max

The story behind my husband's request for the same birthday cake every year goes something like this:

Nine years ago, I was thumbing through a Better Homes & Gardens magazine and came across a recipe labeled, "Chocolate Cake to the Max."  The photo of a three-layer chocolate extravaganza looked like something my hubby would drool over, and, as his birthday was coming up, I showed him the pic and asked him if he'd like me to try making it for his birthday.

Guess what he said!

From that time on, it has been the only cake he wants for his birthday.  It's a tradition now!  The ripped-out pages of the magazine are torn and stained from years of use. lol

The cake is soooo rich, it needs to be shared with as many people as possible. :)

Enjoy!

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate-Sour Cream Frosting

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• Chocolate-Sour Cream Frosting (see recipe below)
   
   

  Directions: 1. Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, lightly grease bottoms of three 8-inch round baking pans or two 8x8x2-inch square or 9x1-1/2-inch round cake pans. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Grease and lightly flour waxed paper and sides of pans. Or grease one 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Set pan(s) aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl stir together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder; and salt; set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined (3 to 4 minutes). Scrape sides of bowl; continue beating on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition (about 1 minute total). Beat in vanilla.
  4. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to beaten mixture, beating on low speed just until combined after each addition. Beat on medium to high speed for 20 seconds more. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan(s).
  5. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 35 to 40 minutes for 8-inch square pans and the 13x9x2-inch pan, 30 to 35 minutes for 8- or 9-inch round pans, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cake layers in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Peel off waxed paper. Cool thoroughly on wire racks. Or place 13x9x2-inch cake in pan on a wire rack; cool thoroughly. Frost with desired frosting. Makes 12 to 16 servings.
  
  

  Chocolate-Sour Cream Frosting

  
  Yield: enough to frost tops and sides of two or three 8- or 9-inch cake layers

   

  Ingredients:

  • 1 12 ounce package (2 cups) semisweet chocolate pieces
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 8 ounce container dairy sour cream
  • 4 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar (about 1 pound)

   
  Directions: In a large saucepan melt semisweet chocolate pieces and butter over low heat, stirring frequently. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating with an electric mixer until smooth. This frosts tops and sides of two or three 8- or 9-inch cake layers. (Halve the recipe to frost the top of a 13x9x2-inch cake.) Cover and store frosted cake in the refrigerator.