Preparation time: 15 minutes. Baking time: 35 to 40 minutes. Oven temperature: 350 degrees. Serves: 12. (One 9 inch layer cake.)

2/3 c. butter, room temp.
2 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 sq. (2 oz.) unsweetened chocolate, melted
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. beer

FILLING & FROSTING:

1/2 c. whipping cream
1 c. sugar
2 sq. (2 oz.) unsweetened chocolate, melted
2 tbsp. butter

1. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat until light. Blend in the chocolate.

2. Sift flour, soda and salt together. Add to creamed mixture along with the buttermilk. Blend until smooth. Stir in the beer and beat until light.

3. Butter and flour 2 (9 inch) round cake pans. Turn batter into pans. Smooth top.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until cakes test done. Remove from pans. Cool on wire racks.

5. While cakes bake, prepare filling and frosting. Bring 1/2 cup of the cream and the sugar to a boil in a heavy saucepan. Boil 2 minutes.

6. Add the chocolate and simmer for 5 minutes. Beat in the butter.

7. Spread half the filling mixture on each of the cake rounds as you stack them. Sides of the cake may be left unfrosted, if desired. Cut into wedges to serve.