Tom's Annual Birthday Cake

When tom was little, his grandmother would make him a triple layer chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.  That is what he wants every year for his birthday - but I add rainbow sprinkles as they are his favorite.

Cake Ingredients:
3 Cups Flour
3 Cups Sugar
1 1/2 Cup Dutch Process Cocoa Powder
1 Tbl Baking Soda
1 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
1 1/2 Tsp Salt
4 Large Eggs
1 1/2 Cup Buttermilk (Powdered Buttermilk is a wonderful option)
1 1/2 Cup Warm Water
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
2 Tsp Vanilla

Frosting Ingredients:
2 Cup Butter, Softened
7 Cups Confectioners Sugar
1 Cup Dutch Process Cocoa Powder
6 Tbl Half and Half
4 Tsp Vanilla

Cake Instructions:
Heat oven to 350 Degrees.

Butter  and flour 3 9 x 3 inch cake rounds.  Set Aside

In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix all powdered ingredients (including powdered buttermilk, if using).  Add eggs, buttermilk (or buttermilk water, if using powdered), warm water, oil and vanilla.  Beat on medium until smooth - just a couple of minutes.

Divide batter among pans.  Bake for about 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool pans on a rack for 15 minutes then turn cake out onto rack and cool completely.

Frosting Instructions:
Beat butter on medium speed until creamy and light colored - 3 to 5 minutes.  Add sugar, cocoa powder, heavy cream, salt and vanilla.  Beat on low about a minute then increase speed and fully incorporate ingredients.  If to thick, add more half and half about a teaspoon at a time.

Assemble the cake, top with your favorite decoration.