Chocolate Layer Cake

For cake:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 3/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups milk
4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
1 1/2 t baking soda
1 t salt
3 eggs
1 1/4 t baking powder
1 t vanilla

For frosting:

6 to 8 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
1/4 cup butter
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
6 T Creme de Cacao
2 eggs
1 T vanilla
pinch of salt
1 cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts

For decoration:

10 to 12 chocolate coated coffee beans


>how to make<

(for cake)
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
*Grease three 9" cake pans.
*Sift flour into large bowl.
*Add sugar, butter, 3/4 cup milk, chocolate, baking soda and salt, and beat with electric mixer 2 minutes at medium speed.
*Add remaining milk, eggs, baking powder and vanilla and beat 2 minutes more.
*Pour into prepared pans and bake in middle of oven 30 minutes, or until cakes test done and have pulled away slightly from sides of pan.
*Allow to cool completely on rack.

(for frosting)
*Soften chocolate and butter in top of double boiler over hot, not boiling water.
*Stir in remaining ingredients.
*Place top of double boiler in bowl of ice and beat frosting with electric mixer about 5 minutes, or until it reaches spreading consistency.

(for assembling)
*Place first layer on plate and frost.
*Sprinkle with half the chopped nuts.
*Repeat with second layer, using remaining chopped nuts.
*Top with third layer and frost top and sides of cake.
*Decorate top of cake with chocolate coated coffee beans.