perfect chocolate cake

How To Make perfect chocolate cake

• Step 1
  Preheat oven to 350 degrees; grease and flour 3 9\" round cake pans.
• Step 2
  Combine cocoa and boiling water, stir until smooth, then set aside.
• Step 3
  Cream butter, gradually add sugar, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer; add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Step 4
  Combine flour, soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternating with cocoa mixture, beating at low speed of an electric mixer, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
• Step 5
  Stir in the vanilla - Do not overbeat.
• Step 6
  Pour in pans and bake 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Step 7
  Cool pans 10 minutes, then remove the cake from pans; cool completely.
• Step 8
  Spread filling between layers; spread frosting on top and sides - Chill until serving time.
• Step 9
  Filling: Beat whipping cream and vanilla until foamy.
• Step 10
  Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form.
• Step 11
  Chill.
• Step 12
  Yield: 2 cups
• Step 13
  Frosting: Combine chocolate, half and half, and butter in a heavy saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring until chocolate melts.
• Step 14
  Remove from heat; add powdered sugar, mixing well.
• Step 15
  Set saucepan in ice, and beat at low speed of an electric mixer until the frosting holds its shape and loses its gloss.
• Step 16
  Add a few more drops of half and half if needed to make spreading consistency.
• Step 17
  Yield: 2 1/2 cups
• Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!