Favorite Fudge Birthday Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Cake
2 cups sugar
2 cups unbleached flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 cup double-dutch dark cocoa or 3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups water
Filling
12 ounces semisweet chocolate
6 ounces heavy cream or 6 ounces milk
Icing
8 ounces semisweet chocolate
4 ounces cream (light, whipping, or heavy)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour 2 8x2\" round cake pans.
For cake:.
Whisk together dry ingredients.
Add eggs, oil, and vanilla, beating until smooth.
Gradually add the water, beating until smooth.
Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake the cakes for 35 to 38 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes, then remove from pans to cool completely on wire racks.
For filling:.
Combine the chocolate and cream in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until the cream is very hot, and the chocolate very soft. Stir to melt the chocolate completely, reheating very briefly if necessary.
For icing:.
Combine the chocolate and cream in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until the cream is very hot, and the chocolate very soft.
Stir to melt the chocolate completely, reheating very briefly if necessary.
Pour and spread the icing over the top of the cake, letting it drip over the edges and down the sides. Once it's done dripping, you may smooth the sides with an icing spatula, if desired.
Allow the cake to rest, covered with a cake cover (or a big turned-over bowl) till the chocolate is set; overnight is good, though several hours are sufficient.