Shelly's Recipe

FABULOUS, SEXY, CHOCOLATE BIRTHDAY CAKE

Category: Cakes

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup extra dark cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs at room temperature
1 cup milk (2 percent or whole)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp raspberry liquor
1 cup boiling water
8-10 toasted walnut halves for garnish (if desired)

Fabulous, Sinful Chocolate Frosting
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup extra dark cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk (2 percent or whole)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp raspberry liquor

Cake: Preheat oven to 350. Grease two 9-inch baking pans and line bottoms with parchment circles cut to fit bottoms of pans. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl combine, eggs, milk, oil, vanilla and raspberry liquor. Add wet ingredients to dry and beat on medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water, adding slowly at first to temper the eggs. The batter will be thin. Pour into pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks. Remove parchment paper. Cool thoroughly. Frost with Fabulous, Sinful Chocolate Frosting. Garnish with walnuts.

Frosting: Melt butter. Pour into a large mixing bowl. Add cocoa powders and stir. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on medium speed with an electric mixer until spreading consistence is reached. Add more milk if necessary. Stir in vanilla and liquor.

Cupcakes: Line 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper baking cups. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes. Cool; frost, Makes 24 cupcakes.