Hanukkah Gelt Double Fudge Chocolate Layer Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

CAKE
2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups oil
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup cocoa, measured then sifted
1 1/2 cups warm flat cola drink
CHOCOLATE ICING
1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted and cooled
2 tablespoons shortening
3/4 cup unsalted butter or 3/4 cup unsalted margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup cocoa, measured then sifted
3 cups confectioners' sugar, measured then sifted, up to 4
1/2 1/2 cup cola or 1/2 cup half-and-half
GARNISH
20 -30 gold chocolate coins
colored sprinkles or candy sprinkles

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lightly grease (2) 9-inch layer pans and line with parchment paper circles.
In a large mixing bowl, blend sugar and oil.
Add eggs and mix until well blended and mixture is thick and lightened in texture.
In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and cocoa.
Fold dry ingredients into wet- and mix- drizzling in cola as mixture blends.
If using an electric mixer, use slow speed and mix about 3 minutes, scraping sides and bottom once to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
This is a thin batter.
Bake, on middle oven rack, 35-40 minutes, until cakes spring back when lightly touched.
ICING: Cream melted chocolate, shortening, butter and vanilla with cocoa and 1 cup of the confectioner's sugar.
Add remaining confectioner's sugar and whip on high speed, adding in a bit of water, cola or half-and-half to get a light, fluffy consistency.
If not using right away, re-whip before using.
Add additional warm water to get correct consistency (a tablespoon at a time).
DECORATING: Place one layer on a cardboard circle.
Ice this with about 1/2- inch of frosting.
Place top layer and ice cake- sides first.
Coat sides with colored sprinkles.
Garnish bottom edge with coins.
Garnish top with coins- placing them either flat on top of cake or standing up (You may cut some of the coins in half to garnish border of top layer).
Place a couple of miniature dreidels in centre if desired or Chanukah candles (can be lit when menorah is lit).