The Spice Cabinet

I love Paula Deen. I would adopt her as my grandmother in a New York second. I got this wonderful recipe from her Christmas Magazine this past year. I decided to make it, because one of my best friends LOVES chocolate and peanut butter and he got this cake for his Christmas Present and he LOVED it! ~Alicia

Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake Ingredients:
1 cup hot water
3 (1 oz) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups whole buttermilk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Spray 2 (10-inch) round cake pans with nonstick baking spray with flour.

In a small bowl, combine hot water and chocolate. Let stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is mealted and smooth.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soad, baking powder, and salt. Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla; beat at medium-low speed with an electric mixer until smooth. With mixer running, add melted chocolate mixture, beating until combined. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans, and bake for 23 to 27 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.

Spread Peanut Butter Frosting evenly in between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls, if desired.

Peanut Butter Frosting Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
5 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
In a large bowl, beat butter and peanut butter at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add cream, beating until combined. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating until smooth. Beat in vanilla.