Perfect Chocolate Cake with Perfect Chocolate Frosting

Directions

Perfect Chocolate Cake:

Combine cocoa and boiling water, stirring until smooth; set aside.

Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating well.

Add eggs, one at a time.

Combine flour, soda, baking powder, and salt in bowl; add to mixture alternately with cocoa mixture.

Stir in vanilla.

Use two 10 inch; pans. Bake at 350℉ (180℃) for 30 to 40 minutes.

Whipped Cream Filling:

Beat whipping cream and vanilla until foamy; gradually add powdered sugar.

Makes 1 cup.

Perfect Chocolate Frosting:

Combine first three ingredients in saucepan; cook until chocolate melts.

Remove from heat; add powdered sugar.

Set pan in ice, and beat until frosting holds it shape and loses it gloss.

Add a few more drops of half/half if needed to make spreading consistency.

Makes 2½ cups