Rich Chocolate Cake

     This recipe may not be healthy, but once in a while, it's ok to indulge in sweet comfort!

• 3 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 cups hot water
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tbs. white vinegar
• 3/4 tbs. instant coffee
• 1 tbs. vanilla extract

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Spray 2 round cake pans with non-stick spray
3. Mix by hand the first 5 ingredients in a big bowl. In a small cup combine remaining ingredients. Whisk the small bowl into the dry ingredients till mixed but don't over mix and don't worry about a few lumps. You don't want to overwork the batter.
4. Pour batter evenly between the 2 pans and place on ovens center rack.
5. Bake for about 37 minutes checking for doneness when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Let cakes cool down on a wire rack for 15 minutes then turn pans over and place cakes on plates till completely cool. Leave them upside down to flatten.

      Chocolate Frosting

• 1 stick butter, unsalted
• 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups of cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 tsp. instant coffee
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract 

1. Melt butter in a saucepot over medium heat.
2. Mix in sugar and cocoa.
3. In a separate bowl combine sour cream, heavy cream, and instant coffee. Whisk till mixture is smooth.
4. Add the cream mix to cocoa mix and cook about 7 minutes till all smooth and melted. Don't let it boil.
5. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract and cool for 2 or 3 hours.
6. Frost cake and enjoy!