Chocolate cake (birthday cakes, round 1)

Ingredients

• 2 cups King Aurthur Unbleached Cake Flour Blend
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, very soft
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup brewed, cooled coffee or water
• 4 large eggs

Chocolate Buttercream the Diva Weigh:

• 1/4 cup dutch process cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup butter(room temperature)
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla paste.
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

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Preparation

• Place a strainer over a large mixing bowl. Measure in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa, and sugar.
• Sift/shake the dry ingredients through the strainer into a mixing bowl, to eliminate any lumps. Add the butter and mix at low speed for 1 minute. With the mixer running, add the oil and continue mixing until the mixture looks like sand.
• Combine the vanilla with the milk and coffee or water, and add all at once. Mix for 1 minute at low speed, stop and scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then mix for 30 seconds.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well at medium-high speed between additions. The batter will be thin. Pour the batter into the prepared pan of your choice-(one 9x13 pan, two 9" round or three 8" round pans).
  
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 34 minutes for 9x13; 28-30 minutes for 9" layers; or 24-26 minutes for 8" layers. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack before frosting.
• Chocolate Buttercream the Diva Weigh:
  Sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powders through a mesh strainer into a bowl and combine. Cream the butter and shortening. Add the cocoa/sugar and mix slowly. While the mixer is running, pour in the milk and vanilla. Mix till combined.