| 1 | Serves 10 to 12 preparation time: 45 minutes cooking time: 60 to 70 minutes this rich chocolate cake is sure to become a family favorite. |
| 2 | For a child"s birthday, substitute milk or black coffee for the whisky in the cake and icing. |
| 3 | Cake: cake: in medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. |
| 4 | In separate bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together granulated and brown sugars, shortening and butter until fluffy. |
| 5 | Beat in eggs one at a time, until smooth. |
| 6 | In small bowl, dissolve coffee granules in hot water and whiskey; stir into butter mixture, along with milk. |
| 7 | Stir butter mixture into flour mixture until well combined. |
| 8 | Pour batter into greased 9-inch springform cake pan. |
| 9 | Bake in 350°F oven 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in centre of cake comes out clean. |
| 10 | The cake may sink in the centre a little but this is normal. |
| 11 | Let cake cool in pan for a few minutes, then turn out and let cool completely on wire rack. |
| 12 | Mocha butter icing: in large bowl, using electric mixer, beat butter until very soft. |
| 13 | Gradually beat in half of icing sugar and half of cocoa. |
| 14 | In small bowl, dissolve instant coffee granules in hot water. |
| 15 | Beating at high speed, gradually add dissolved coffee and the whisky to butter mixture. |
| 16 | Add remaining icing sugar and cocoa and the salt. |
| 17 | Beat at high speed until icing is consistency of whipped cream. |
| 18 | To assemble: centre cake on serving plate. |
| 19 | Reserving 1 cup icing, spread remaining icing over top and sides of cake. |
| 20 | Spoon reserved icing into piping bag. |
| 21 | Using star nozzle, pipe rosettes of icing around base of cake and around top edge. |
| 22 | Store, loosely covered, in refrigerator for up to 2 days. |
| 23 | Serve at room temperature. |
| 24 | Cake can be frozen after icing. |
| 25 | Freeze unwrapped until frozen, then wrap carefully in plastic wrap and foil and store in freezer for up to 2 months. |
| 26 | Per serving: 707 calories for 10, 589°F for 1 |
