EBINGER'S BLACKOUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease and flour 2-9" cake pans.
• Make the cake:.
• Stir the cocoa with with some of the milk to form a paste.
• Stir in the rest of the milk and beat with a whisk until the mixture is smooth.
• Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixture, combine the butter, shortening, sugar, eggs, vanilla.
• Beat for one minute, or until the mixture is fluffy.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking powder and salt.
• Add the mixture, alternating with the chocolate mixture, to the contents of the bowl, beating between additions, beginning and ending with flour.
• Beat only until the dry ingredients are absorbed.
• Divide the batter between the 2 cake pans, and smooth with a spatula.
• Bake for 35-40 minutes until the cake shrinks from the sides of the pans, and the top springs back when gently pressed with a fingertip.
• Do not overbake!
• Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto racks.
• Turn right-side up and let cool completely.
• Make the pudding:.
• Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in a small, heavy saucepan.
• Gradually add the milk, mixing thoroughly with a whisk.
• Add the chocolate.
• Place over moderate heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and bubbles; about 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Pour into a small bowl, and put plastic wrap or wax paper directly on the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming.
• Cool.
• Make the frosting:.
• Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler.
• Remove from heat and cool slightly.
• In a medium bowl beat the butter, vanilla and eggs until well blended.
• The mixture will not blend completely- Don't worry!
• Gradually beat in the sugar, about 2 T at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in the melted chocolately.
• Chill the frosting while assmebling the rest of the cake, about 15 minutes.
• Assembly:.
• Using a serrated knife, cut each cake layer in half horizontally.
• Place one of the layers in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to make crumbs.
• Set Aside.
• Sandwich the remaining 3 layers with the chocolate pudding filling.
• I work on a cardboard cake circle, or the bottom of a springform pan.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake with the chocolate frosting.
• Working over a baking sheet, hold the cake in the palm of your hand.
• Using your other hand, press the cake crumbs all over the top and sides of the cake.
• Pick up any crumbs that drop, and press them back on.