Old-Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake with Chocolate Cream Frosting

NOTE: The milk in this cake batter slightly mutes the chocolate flavor while giving the cake a sturdy, pleasantly crumbly texture. Cream enriches the frosting, making it compatible with this less assertive chocolate cake.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Follow master recipe for Basic Chocolate Cake, making the following changes: Omit step 2 as well as boiling water. Whisk cocoa and instant espresso or coffee with flour and other dry ingredients in step 4 until no lumps of cocoa remain. Combine 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk at room temperature and vanilla; add alternately with dry ingredients to butter-sugar-egg mixture.

2. When layers are cool, frost cake.