Fudgy Chocolate Layer Cake

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup less 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa

1¼ tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

¾ cup butter, softened  

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1½ cups buttermilk

Frosting and garnish:

½ cup butter, softened

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

3 ozs unsweetened chocolate, melted

2 tsp vanilla

Chocolate shavings (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of two 9-inch round cake pans with waxed paper. Grease paper and sides of pans. Dust with flour, Mix flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter and sugars at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. At low speed, alternately beat flour mixture and buttermilk into butter mixture just until blended. Divide batter equally between prepared pans. Bake cakes 25-30 minutes. Cook on wire racks for 10 minutes. Turn out. Remove paper. Turn layers top-side up and cool completely. To prepare frosting, beat butter and confection’s sugar until light and fluffy. Add melted chocolate and vanilla; continue beating until shiny and smooth. Frost. Let stand for at least 30 minutes before sprinkling with chocolate shavings.