3 (1 oz.) sq. chocolate
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 c. sifted cake flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 (8 oz.) sour cream
1 c. boiling water

Melt chocolate; set aside to cool. Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add chocolate and vanilla. Mix well.

Combine flour, soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in boiling water. (Batter will be thin.) Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9 inch cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes then turn out.

FROSTING:

1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
1/2 c. half & half
1/2 c. butter
2 1/2 c. sifted confectioners' sugar