Bill's Three-Layer Chocolate Cake
 
Ingredients
  • Cake:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1-1/2 cups granulated white sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1-3/4 cups water
  • Cocoa Butter Frosting:
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
  • 4 cups confectioner's sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 Tablespoons water
Instructions
  1. For Cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake layer pans; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  3. In large bowl of electric mixer beat together butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla at low speed until blended, then at high speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and water, beating just until smooth. Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans.
  5. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until the center springs back when touched and a tester comes out clean. Place pans on wire racks to cool for 15 minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely before frosting.
  6. For Cocoa Frosting: In large bowl of electric mixer beat butter until smooth. Sift together confectioner's sugar and cocoa powder and add to butter along with the vanilla and water. Beat until smooth and spreadable. Place one cake layer on serving plate and spread one some of the frosting. Top with another cake layer and spread with frosting. Add final layer and frost top and sides of cake. Cover cake and let stand until serving time, preferably overnight.
Recipe by The Culinary Cellar at https://theculinarycellar.com/bills-three-layer-chocolate-cake/