All-in-One Chocolate Cake and Frosting

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened (2 sticks)
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract, separated
• 1 (2lb.) pkg. C&H® Powdered Sugar
• 2/3 cup milk
• 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted
• 1/2 cup Dutch Processed unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup water
  

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt baking pan, preferably non-stick, and set aside.
2. Frosting: In large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: mix well. Add powdered or confectioners' sugar alternately with milk, beating 1-2 minutes or until blended.
3. Melt chocolate in the microwave, and then quickly add in until blended. Slowly incorporate cocoa powder. Remove 2 3/4 cups of frosting from bowl, placing into a plastic sealable bag. Place bag in refrigerator to chill.
4. Cake: With mixer at slow speed, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, to remaining frosting, scraping down the bowl with each addition; beat until blended. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to frosting mixture alternately with water; blend well.
5. Pour into prepared pan and bake 65-70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 30 minutes. Remove frosting from fridge, and set aside. While cake is still warm, use a knife to loosen the cake from the sides of the pan. Cool completely before removing from pan. Place cake on serving plate and top with frosting.
6. For Cupcakes: Line 2 or 3 muffin pans with paper liners. Pour to fill halfway, and bake 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
7. For Sheet cake: Pour batter into a generously greased and floured 9x13-inch baking dish. Bake 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.