Hanukkah Gelt Double Fudge Chocolate Layer Cake

Ingredients

CAKE

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups oil
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup cocoa, measured then sifted
• 1 1/2 cups warm flat cola drink

CHOCOLATE ICING

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted and cooled
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter or unsalted margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 cup cocoa, measured then sifted
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar, measured then sifted, up to 4
• 1/2 cup water or cola or half-and-half

GARNISH

• 20-30 gold chocolate coins
• colored sprinkles or candy sprinkles

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. 2

   Lightly grease (2) 9-inch layer pans and line with parchment paper circles.

3. 3

   In a large mixing bowl, blend sugar and oil.

4. 4

   Add eggs and mix until well blended and mixture is thick and lightened in texture.

5. 5

   In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and cocoa.

6. 6

   Fold dry ingredients into wet- and mix- drizzling in cola as mixture blends.

7. 7

   If using an electric mixer, use slow speed and mix about 3 minutes, scraping sides and bottom once to incorporate all ingredients evenly.

8. 8

   This is a thin batter.

9. 9

   Bake, on middle oven rack, 35-40 minutes, until cakes spring back when lightly touched.

10. 10

    ICING: Cream melted chocolate, shortening, butter and vanilla with cocoa and 1 cup of the confectioner's sugar.

11. 11

    Add remaining confectioner's sugar and whip on high speed, adding in a bit of water, cola or half-and-half to get a light, fluffy consistency.

12. 12

    If not using right away, re-whip before using.

13. 13

    Add additional warm water to get correct consistency (a tablespoon at a time).

14. 14

    DECORATING: Place one layer on a cardboard circle.

15. 15

    Ice this with about 1/2- inch of frosting.

16. 16

    Place top layer and ice cake- sides first.

17. 17

    Coat sides with colored sprinkles.

18. 18

    Garnish bottom edge with coins.

19. 19

    Garnish top with coins- placing them either flat on top of cake or standing up (You may cut some of the coins in half to garnish border of top layer).

20. 20

    Place a couple of miniature dreidels in centre if desired or Chanukah candles (can be lit when menorah is lit).