Ingredients

• 1/2 cup baking cocoa
• 1 cup hot water
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 3/4 cups packed brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Filling:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup butter, softened

Glaze:

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 Tbsp. baking cocoa
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• chocolate curls, opt.

Directions

In a small bowl, combine cocoa and hot water until smooth; cool. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk and cocoa mixture. Stir in vanilla. Pour into three greased and waxed paper lined 9 inch round baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. gradually stir in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Cool completely. In a small mixing bowl, cream butter, Gradually beat in cooled mixture. Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with half of the filling. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake. For glaze, in a small saucepan, melt butter; stir in cocoa until smooth. Add milk. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. With an electric mixer, beat in confectioners' sugar until blended. Cool for 15-20 minutes; spread over top of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls, if desired. Store in the refrigerator.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Source: Taste of Home