Let our friends eat cake....

Last night we had dinner with a few of our best friends Mandy,Laura, Renee and Joe . Laura invited Chon and I to one our favorite little places in town Fritti. Mandy's only request for the evening was a chocolate cake and good company. So good company she got. Can't really blame her. We are fabulous, LOL. Never mind us. It was all about Mandy .'' Happy Birthday Lady''. Oh and did I mention Chocolate Cake?   The Cake that I made for Mandy is from a magnificent recipe that I got while I worked for Scott Peacock at Watershed Restaurant In Decatur GA. This recipe is fairly easy to prepare and will knock the socks off your chocolate lover friends

. Its outrageous layers and decadent chocolate frosting is amazing served with lightly sweetened whipped cream or Delicious Vanilla Ice Cream. And don't forget a strong cup of java. This cake is certain to make your birthday girl smile or suffer from a chocolate hangover.

Very Good Chocolate cake

Ingredients:

For the cake:
Butter and flour for pans
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup hot double-strength brewed coffee
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature

For the frosting:
1 cup heavy cream
1 stick unsalted butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup double-strength brewed coffee
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
To make the cake: In a bowl, sift together sugar, flour, salt and baking soda; set aside. Stir 4 ounces chocolate into the hot coffee and allow to melt completely. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture and blend well. Add the flour mixture in 1/3 increments, stirring well after each addition. Divide batter among prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

To make the frosting: Heat the cream, butter, sugar and salt over low heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted and smooth. Add vanilla and coffee; stir until blended. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature and to a spreadable consistency. Frost the top of one layer, top with second layer, then frost the top and sides.