Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake

2 C sifted flour

2 t baking powder

½ t baking soda

½ t salt

3 squares unsweetened chocolate

⅔ C water

1 ½ C sugar

1 t vanilla

⅔ C butter or margarine, softened

3 eggs

⅓ C buttermilk

Chocolate fudge filling

∙ Preheat oven to 350'

∙ Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt on wax paper and set aside.

∙ Cook chocolate, water and ¼ C sugar in a saucepan, stirring constantly over low heat until thick and smooth.

∙ Transfer to bowl, chill over ice water stirring often and add vanilla.

∙ Beat butter and remaining sugar in large bowl until fluffy.

∙ Beat in eggs, one at a time.

∙ Add chilled chocolate mixture and blend.

∙ Add sifted ingredients alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition, until smooth.

∙ Pour into two greased and floured 8" round layer cake pans.

∙ Bake cake layers for 35 min or until centers spring back when lightly pressed with fingertip.

∙ Remove from pans and cool on wire rack.

∙ Split in half.

∙ Fill and frost with chocolate fudge filling and decorate with walnuts (opt).

∙ Combine 6 squares semisweet chocolate and 3 T butter in small saucepan.

∙ Place over very low heat just until melted.

∙ Transfer to bowl and beat in 7 T milk and 1 t vanilla until blended.

∙ Gradually beat in 3 C sifted powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable.

∙ Makes 12 servings at 46 cents each.