"Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in water. (Batter will be thin.) Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

4. Prepare Chocolate Frosting; spread between layers and over top and sides of cake.

Chocolate Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 2/3 cup cocoa
• 3 cups icing sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

1. Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add icing sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.

2. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla.

Cake Decorator Icing

Feeling in the mood for something "spring-ish" I made these cupcakes for a bridal shower tonight. I tried a new icing recipe and must admit it's pretty tasty. It's not over the top sweet like some icings can be. The vanilla and almond flavoring are a delicious combination.

• 1 cup shortening


• 1/2 tsp salt


• 1 1/2 tsp clear vanilla*


• 1/4 tsp almond extract


• 1/2 cup water


• 8 cups sifted icing sugar

Mix shortening, water, vanilla, salt and almond extract with a mixer for 5 minutes. (It's very important to mix this long, before adding 1/2 the icing, then mix again for at least another 5 minutes because it takes out that "lardy" type taste that comes with using shortening). Add the rest of the icing sugar and beat just enough to mix in. Add additional water if needed, for desired consistency.

* I used a non-clear vanilla, which I think worked ok, seeing as I was coloring the icing anyway.

** Large recipe, so half may be sufficient, depending on what you're icing.