PERFECT CHOCOLATE CAKE

Why I Love This Recipe
Ingredients You'll Need
cake:
1 cup cocoa
2 cups boiling water
2 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup butter or margarine
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
frosting:
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup cream
1 cup butter or margarine
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
filling:
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Directions
Combine cocoa with boiling water, mix with a whisk. Cool completely.
In another bowl mix flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder.
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 3 - 9" layer cake pans.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed, beat butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla for 5 minutes. At low speed beat in flour mixture in 4ths alternately with cocoa mixture in 3rds, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Do not overbeat.
Divide evenly into pans. Bake for 25 -30 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, cool on rack.
frosting
In medium saucepan combine chocolate chips, cream and butter. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from heat. Blend in powdered sugar with whisk. In a bowl over ice, beat until it holds shape.
filling:
Whip cream, add sugar and vanilla.
assemble:
Place 1 cake top side down on large plate. Spread with half the whipped cream. Place 2nd cake, top side down, on whipped cream and spread remaining whipped cream on top. Place 3rd cake on top, top side up.
Frost the sides of the cake with chocolate frosting, then frost the top of the cake. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.