Chocolate Cake With Crumbs and Walnuts

Ingredients

Cake

• 1/2 cup unsweetened chocolate, melted
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 cups cake flour
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup boiling water

Frosting

• 3 cups confectioners sugar
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• tablespoons heavy cream

Topping

• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped fine

Directions

Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Butter and flour two, 8 inch cake pans
3. To make the cake, using an electric mixer, cream butter until smooth.
4. Add sugar and eggs. Beat with mixer until light and fluffy.
5. Beat in vanilla extract and chocolate, then baking soda and salt.
6. Add flour alternately with sour cream, beating until smooth.
7. Add in water, stirring until blended.
8. Pour into prepared pans.
9. Bake 30 minutes or until tester inserted into cake comes out clean.
10. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting

1. To make the frosting, Using an electric mixer, mix together sugar and butter, beat for 3-4 minutes.
2. Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for spreading consistency.

Assembly

1. To assemble cake, using a long serrated knife cut one cake top off just until flat.
2. Take the cut off piece and crumble it into a small bowl, mix in chopped nuts.
3. Place cut cake on a serving plate and top with 1/3 of the frosting, place second cake on frosting and smooth remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.
4. Sprinkle nuts and crumbled cake all over frosting, press lightly into sides.