Chocolate Cake

2 cups sugar

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup cocoa

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

Heat oven to 350°F.  Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in the mixer bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla.  Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, then remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely before frosting. 

Chocolate Frosting

2 sticks butter 

1 1/3 cup cocoa powder

6 cups powdered sugar

2/3 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.

Add a small amount of additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. Yields frosting for a 2 layer cake.