Perfect Chocolate Cake with Perfect Chocolate Frosting Recipe

1 c Cocoa

2 c Boiling water

1 c Margarine

2 1/2 c Sugar

4 Eggs

2 3/4 c Flour

2 ts Baking soda

1/2 ts Salt

1 1/2 ts Vanilla

== 1 c Whipping cream

1 ts Vanilla extract

1/4 c Powdered sugar

== 6 oz Semisweet chocolate

1/2 c Half and half

3/4 c Butter

2 1/2 c Powdered sugar

Recipe by: Southern Living Five Star Recipe Perfect Chocolate Cake: Combine cocoa and boiling water, stirring until smooth; set aside. Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time. Combine flour, soda, baking powder, and salt in bowl; add to mixture alternately with cocoa mixture. Stir in vanilla. Use two 10" pans. Bake 350 degrees for 30 ~ 40 minutes. WHIPPPED CREAM FILLING: Beat whipping cream and vanilla until foamy; gradually add powdered sugar. Makes 1 cup. PERFECT CHOCOLATE FROSTING: Combine first three ingredients in saucepan; cook until chocolate melts. Remove from heat; add powdered sugar. Set pan in ice, and beat until frosting holds it shape and loses it gloss. Add a few more drops of half/half if needed to make spreading consistency. Makes 2 1/2 cups -----