INGREDIENTS
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Chocolate Buttercream:
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1 1/2 cups sugar
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3/4 cup water
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6 large egg yolks
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2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine, softened
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1/2 cup vegetable shortening
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10 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled, or 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
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2 to 3 tablespoons rum or kirsch (optional)
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Batter:
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6 large eggs
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1 1/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon (9 ounces) sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1 1/2 cups (7 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour, measured by dip-and-sweep method
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Caramel (optional):
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1 1/2 cups sugar
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3/4 cup water
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1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar