Ingredients
FOR CAKE
3 cups; all-purpose flour
2 cups; granulated sugar (or sugar substitute for baking)
.5 cups; unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp; baking powder
2 tsp; baking soda
1 tsp; salt
1 cup; unsalted butter … melted
2 cups; water (warm)
.25 cups; fresh lemon juice
1 TBL; vanilla extract
FOR FROSTING
15 oz; semi-sweet or milk chocolate (to preference) … chopped fine
2 cups; heavy cream
3 TBL; unsalted butter
Preparation
FOR CAKE
Preheat oven to 350 with rack on center shelf.
Sift together: flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Melt butter; add to solids mixture with water, lemon juice, and vanilla; blend together thoroughly.
Pour mixture equally into two 8" square cake pans; place in oven for 35 minutes or until firm center to toothpick press.
Remove from oven and allow to cool (can remove cake from pans to wire racks to aid cooling).
FOR FROSTING
Place chopped chocolate pieces in a bowl.
Heat cream and butter in saucepan until it starts to boil; pour over chocolate to cover; let stand 3-5 minutes (until chocolate appears melted.
Stir mixture until completely blended and smooth.
Allow mixture to stand 45 minutes.
PREPARE CAKE
Place one layer of cake on serving plate; cover top with thin layer of frosting.
Lay second layer of cake over frosting; frost all sides and top with remaining frosting or as preferred.
