Kittencal's Best Deep Dark Chocolate Layer Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla (or use 2-3 tablespoons favorite liqueur)
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cocoa powder (sifted)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

FROSTING

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1/3 cup whipping cream (unwhipped)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup cocoa
• 4 cups icing sugar, sifted

Directions

1. 1

   Set oven to 350 degrees F.

2. 2

   Line bottoms of two buttered 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar, until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).

4. 4

   Add in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

5. 5

   Beat in vanilla and coffee granules.

6. 6

   Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a bowl.

7. 7

   Add the flour mixture into the creamed mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, in three additions, scraping down the sides of bowl each time.

8. 8

   Divide batter between prepared pans.

9. 9

   Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until cake tests done.

10. 10

    Turn onto a rack and remove paper.

11. 11

    Cool and frost.

12. 12

    FOR FROSTING: Beat butter until creamy.

13. 13

    Blend in cream and vanilla; beat until very smooth.

14. 14

    Add the cocoa and icing sugar.

15. 15

    Beat on high for 45 seconds.