Vanilla cake with Chocolate mocha icing! Yummy!

OK! The last of the Holiday cakes is the vanilla cake with chocolate mocha icing. Last because during the holidays I did the carrot cake recipe. So if you are a real cake/chocolate fan this is the one you crave when all you want is a great big piece of cake and a large glass of cold milk. I know that is the way I like it!

VANILLA CAKE INGREDIENTS

3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 whole milk
1 teaspoon cream tartar
1/2 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups flour
3 eggs
1 box instant vanilla pudding

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease and lightly flour 2 8 or 9” x 2 inch round cake pans.
*In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth.
*Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
*Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
*Combine the flour and dry ingredients and then add in four parts, alternating with the milk and the vanilla extract, beating well after each addition.
*Divide the batter among the cake pans.
*Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
Let cakes cool in pans for 5 minutes.
Remove from pans and cool completely on wire rack.

Chocolate mocha icing
Ingredients

* 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (good quality)
* 1/3 cup strong, hot, brewed coffee (Instant works just as well)
* 3 cups confectioners' sugar
* 1/3 cup melted butter
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

* Combine coffee and cocoa in small bowl of electric mixer.
* Beat until blended.
* Add sugar,
* Now blend in melted butter,salt,and vanilla.
* Scrape bowl, and beat icing until it has a spreading consistency.