Chocolate Cake

                  Let's be honest ladies....Is there anything better than chocolate cake? For me
              The answer is, NO!!! I crave chocolate. There is nothing more comforting than
              eating homemade chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. Be still my
              heart! This cake is so moist and delightful! Enjoy.

                                                              Chocolate Cake

              1 3/4 cups all purpose flour, plus more for pans
              2 cups of sugar
              3/4 cups of good cocoa powder
              2 teaspoons of baking soda
              1 teaspoon baking powder
              1 teaspoon kosher salt
              1 cup buttermilk, shaken
              1/2 cup vegetable oil
              2 extra large eggs, at room temperature
              1 teaspoon vanilla
              1 cup freshly brewed coffee
           
             Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8 inch x 2 inch pans. Line with
             parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.
           
             Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt into the bowl
             with of an electric mixer, fitted with paddle attachment and mix on low speed
             until combined. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
             With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry.
             With the mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir to just combine, scraping the
             bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans
             and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pans for 30 minutes. Take out of pans
             and finish cooling completely.

                                                               Chocolate Frosting

             6 ounces good semi sweet chocolate, chopped
             2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
             1 extra large egg yolk, room temperature
             1 teaspoon vanilla extract
             1 1/4 cups sifted confectioners sugar
             1 tablespoon instant coffee powder

             Chop the chocolate and place in a heat proof bowl set over a pan of simmering
             water. Stir until melted and set aside.

             In a bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter on med-high speed until light
             and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue to
             beat for about 3 min. Turn the mixer to low and gradually add confectioners
             sugar, then beat on medium speed, scrape sides of bowl and beat until creamy.
             Dissolve coffee powder in 2 teaspoons of hot tap water. On low speed, add
             the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended.
             Spread on cake. Recipe Ina Garten.