Chocolate Torte - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup baking cocoa
2 cups boiling water
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
FILLING
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
FROSTING
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Preparation

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Beat in vanilla.
Whisk cocoa and water until smooth.
Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with cocoa mixture. Beat until smooth.
Pour into three greased and floured 9\" round baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks.
FILLING:.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream, confectioner's sugar and vanilla on high speed until soft peaks form.
Chill until firm.
FROSTING:.
In a saucepan, melt chips and butter over medium heat; stir in cream.
Remove from the heat; stir in confectioner's sugar.
Chill for at least 1 hour or until completely cooled.
Beat with electric mixer to achieve spreading consistency.
PREP:.
Spread half of the filling over one cake layer; top with second layer and remaining filling.
Top with third layer; frost top and sides of cake.
Chill for 2 hours before cutting.
Yield: 12 servings.