Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Chocolate Fudge Filling

CHOCOLATE FUDGE LAYER CAKE
WITH CHOCOLATE FUDGE FILLING

FOR THE CAKE:
2 cups sifted cake flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 squares unsweetened chocolate
2/3 cup water
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided use
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
3 eggs
1/3 cup buttermilk
FOR THE CHOCOLATE FUDGE FILLING:
6 squares (1 oz each) semi-sweet chocolate bar
3 tablespoons butter
7 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
walnuts (optional garnish)

TO MAKE THE CAKE:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 (8-inch) round layer cake pans.

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt onto wax paper; set aside.

Cook chocolate, water and 1/4 cup sugar in a saucepan, stirring constantly over low heat until thick and smooth. Transfer to bowl; chill over ice water, stirring often. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Beat 2/3 cup butter and remaining sugar in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add chilled chocolate mixture; blend. Add sifted ingredients alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition, until smooth. Pour into prepared layer cake pans.

Bake in preheated moderate oven, 350 degrees F, for 35 minutes or until centers spring back when lightly pressed with fingertip. Remove from pans; cool on wire rack.

Split in half. Fill and frost with with Chocolate Fudge Filling. Decorate with walnuts, if you wish.

TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE FUDGE FILLING:
Combine 6 squares semi-sweet chocolate and 3 tablespoons butter in small saucepan. Place over very low heat just until melted. Transfer to bowl; beat in 7 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in 3 cups sifted confectioner's sugar until smooth and spreadable.