Layered Chocolate Cake

Serves 8

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups sugar
2 cups cake flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup strawberry jam
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup hot milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease two 9-inch cake pans and line with wax paper. Beat the butter, vanilla and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs. Beat together the cocoa, remaining sugar and 1/2 cup buttermilk, then stir into the egg mixture.

Sift the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the cocoa and egg mixture in 3 parts , alternating with the remaining buttermilk. Spoon into pans and smooth the tops. Bake 35 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the pans after 5 minutes. Cool. together with jam. For the frostings melt the chocolate and butter over very low heat. Add the hot milk, and salt, and vanilla and gradually stir in sugar until spreadable. Frost the top and sides of the cake.