That Time of the Month Cake

Holy cow!!!  The BEST chocolate cake ever!  The explanation for the odd title is just what it seems; chocolate cake to soothe the crazy time of P.M.S. My mom requested it this morning after finding it in the Rachael Ray magazine.  I changed a few small things; not so much 'changed' as 'forgot'.  I accidentally left out 1/4 c. of cocoa powder, but it turned out great.  My dad said,  "It's not only the best frosting I've ever tasted, it's the best chocolate I've ever tasted!"

P.M.S. Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 1/2 c. sugar
• 14.5 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, 4 oz. coarsely chopped and 10.5 oz. finely chopped.
• 15 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-size pieces and chilled
• 1/4 c. and 2 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder (I forgott 1/4 c. of that, ooops)
• 2 eggs
• 4 tsp. vanilla extract 
• 1 1/2 heavy cream

Directions: 

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Grease two 8 inch round cake pans. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and baking soda and 1/2 tsp. salt. In a sauce pan, dissolve 2 c. sugar in 2 c. water over medium heat. Remove from heat, add the coarsely chopped chocolate and 6 Tbs. butter and wisk until smooth. Wisk in cocoa powder. Beat in the eggs, then stir 2 tsp. vanilla. Sift in the flour mixure,wisking until incorperated. Divide batter between the cake pans and bake until cakes are springy to the touch and have pulled away from the sides of the pans, about 30 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool for 10 minutes. Remove them from the pans place on the racks. Cool completely. Meanwhile, combine finely chopped chocolate, remaining 9 Tbs. of butter, 2 tsp. vanilla and 1/8 Tbl. In a medium saucepan, bring the cream and remaining 1 1/2 c. sugar to a boil. Pour over chocolate and let stand for two minutes, then stir until smooth. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until thickened to a spreadable consistensy, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Frost your cake how ever you want!