Double Decadence Chocolate Cake with Glossy Chocolate Icing

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients:

CHOCOLATE CAKE
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup hot coffee
2 cups sugar
1-2/3 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, not Dutch process
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1/2 cup Crisco® Vegetable Oil
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla

CHOCOLATE FROSTING
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 cup Crisco® Butter Shortening OR 1/4 stick Crisco® Butter Shortening Sticks

Preparation Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.

2. Spray two 9 x 2-inch round cake pans with no stick cooking spray. Line bottoms with rounds of wax paper or parchment paper; spray again.

3. Combine chocolate chips and hot coffee in a bowl. Let mixture stand, whisking occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.

4. Whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

5. Beat, in the bowl of an electric mixer, eggs until thick and yellow, about 3-5 minutes. Slowly add oil, buttermilk, vanilla and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until combined well. Add dry ingredients and beat on medium speed until just combined well.

6. Divide batter between pans and bake in middle of oven until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 minutes.

7. Cool layers in pans on racks for 30-45 minutes. Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert layers onto racks. Carefully remove wax paper and cool layers completely.

Note: Cake layers may be made 1 day ahead and kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature.

SHINY CHOCOLATE ICING
1. Whisk together, in a 1-1/2- to 2-quart saucepan, the cream, sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate chips, whisking until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.

2. Cut Butter Flavored shortening into 3 pieces and add to frosting, whisking until smooth.

3. Transfer icing to a bowl and chill until spreadable, about 30 minutes.

4. Spread icing between cake layers and over top and sides.

(Note: Cake keeps covered and chilled, 3 days. Bring cake to room temperature before serving.)