Chocolate Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven.

Butter, or spray with a nonstick vegetable spray, two - 9 x 2 inch (23 x 5 cm) round baking pans. Line the bottom of the pans with parchment or wax paper. In a heatproof bowl place the chopped unsweetened chocolate and cocoa powder. Pour the boiling water over the chocolate and cocoa powder and stir until they have melted. Set aside to cool while you make the batter. In a separate bowl, whisk or sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is fluffy (this will take about 3 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla extract and melted chocolate mixture and beat to combine. Add the flour (in three additions) and milk (in two additions), beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat only until the ingredients are mixed together. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for about 35 - 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center just comes out clean and the tops spring back when lightly pressed. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Then remove the cakes from their pans and cool completely on a greased wire rack before frosting. Frosting: Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Then place the melted chocolate, milk, confectioners sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and softened butter in the bowl of your electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment (can use a hand mixer). Beat on low speed until you have a smooth mixture (about 2 minutes). Then increase mixer speed to medium-high and beat frosting for about 3-5 minutes or until frosting is of spreading consistency. If necessary, add more milk or sugar. Chocolate Cake: 4 ounces (120 grams) unsweetened chocolate, chopped 1/3 cup (30 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water 2 1/4 cups (295 grams) all purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature 2 cups (400 grams) granulated white sugar 3 large eggs 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 cup (240 ml) milk Frosting:

To Assemble: Place one layer of cake, top side down, on your serving plate and cover with a layer of frosting. Then 5 ounces (140 grams) unsweetened place the second layer of cake, top side down, onto the first chocolate, chopped cake layer and then frost the top and sides of the cake with 1/3 cup (80 ml) milk the remaining frosting. Can garnish with fresh fruit or shaved chocolate. 4 cups (1 pound) (454 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, Serves 8 - 10 people. sifted

Adapted From:

1/8 teaspoon salt

Stern, Bonnie. Desserts. Random House Canada. Toronto. 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1988. 1/2 cup (113 grams) softened unsaltedbutter, diced

Chocolate brownies.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan 3/4 teaspoon instant espresso powder 5 ounces semisweet chocolate bar, finely chopped 3/4 cup granulated white sugar 1/4 cup light brown sugar 3 large eggs, at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8x8-inch pan. Line with parchment paper and let it hang over two sides. Butter the parchment. 2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt; set aside. 3. In a large saucepan, combine butter and espresso powder. Heat on low and stir until butter has melted. Add chocolate, and stir constantly until mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in both sugars until combined. Let cool slightly. 4. Whisk eggs and vanilla and keep moving the batter around until combined and no longer grainy-looking. Add flour mixture to batter and stir just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. 5. Pour batter into prepared pan; smooth top with a greased spatula. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a just a few moist crumbs attached (28 to 30 minutes). Don't over bake! Let cool completely. Cut into pieces and serve or store.