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Collage 2018-10-04 09_14_10.jpg

Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Frosting

A reminder of my childhood birthdays, this vanilla cake with homemade chocolate buttercream is moist and delicious.  No need to get all fancy with this one because it is meant to look homemade and it brings back wonderful memories of days gone by!

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Don't substitute butter for the margarine here.  A good margarine with at least 80% vegetable oil should be used to provide a moist, decadent cake.

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Ingredients

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For the cake:

1 1/2 cup margarine

2 cups plain sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

5 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon butter extract

3 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

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For the frosting:

2 pounds powdered sugar

1 (11 oz) bag semi sweet chocolate chips melted

1 tablespoon cocoa

2 sticks softened butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup or more heavy cream (exact amount varies)

Directions for the cake:

  1. Combine room temperature margarine, regular sugar and powdered sugar in a bowl and mix until fluffy.

  2. Add eggs one at the time.

  3. Add vanilla, butter extract, baking powder and salt. Mix well.

  4. Alternate adding the flour and buttermilk until all is mixed well.  Do not overblend.

  5. Divide batter in half and pour into two greased round cake pans.

  6. Bake on 350 degrees until done.  Use a toothpick to test the center.  Baking times will vary, but it is approximately 20-25 minutes. 

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For the frosting:

  1. Combine softened butter with (cooled) melted chocolate.  Make sure the chocolate has cooled a bit before adding to the butter.  Not doing so will result in a runny mixture.

  2. Add the sugar and vanilla and mix well.  Add the heavy cream a little at the time until the mixture is of spreading consistency.

  3. Frosting consistency will vary according to the humidity and/or dryness of the sugar.  Take it easy with the heavy cream at first, especially if it is humid outside.  Just add a little at the time and mix well until you have reached the consistency you like.

  4. This frosting recipe makes a large batch, it is also smooth and decadent.  It makes beautiful swirls on top of the cake by using a spoon to swoop.

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