"My Inspiration" Cake

Ingredients

Cake
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 1/4 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose or Unbleached Flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup shortening
  • 1 1/4 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 egg whites
  • 2 oz. semisweet chocolate, grated
Frosting
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1_ Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Sprinkle pecans evenly in bottom of greased and floured pans.

2_ Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In large bowl, combine all remaining cake ingredients except_ egg whites and chocolate; beat 1 1/2 minutes at medium speed. Add egg whites; beat 1 1/2 minutes. Carefully spoon 1/4 of batter into each pecan-lined pan. Sprinkle with grated chocolate. Spoon remaining batter over grated chocolate; spread carefully.

3_ Bake at 350°F. for 30 to 40 minutes or until cake is golden brown and top springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool 1 hour or until completely cooled.

4_ Meanwhile, in small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar, unsweetened chocolate and 1/4 cup water; cook over low heat until melted, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat; cool.


5_ In small bowl, combine 1/2 cup shortening and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Gradually beat in 2 cups of the powdered sugar until well blended. Reserve 1/3 cup white frosting. To remaining frosting, add cooled chocolate, remaining 1/4 cup powdered sugar and enough water for desired spreading consistency.

6_ To assemble cake, place 1 layer, pecan side up, on serving plate. Spread with about 1/2 cup chocolate frosting. Top with second layer, pecan side up. Frost sides and 1/2 inch around top edge of cake with remaining chocolate frosting. If necessary, thin reserved white frosting with enough water for desired piping consistency; pipe around edge of nuts on top of cake

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