Suzanne's Chocolate Cake

Instructions

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1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. 2 In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and cocoa.
3. 3 Add 1 cup and 2 tablespoons of water and 1 cup and 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Mix for 1 minute.
4. 4 Add eggs, 3/4 cup of water, vanilla. Mix 5 to 6 minutes with a whisk, 3 to 4 minutes with a hand mixer, or 2 minutes with a KitchenAid mixer.
5. 5 Pour into three 10" cake pans, bake at 350°F for 25 to 35 minutes (adjust for convection); test by placing and removing a toothpick through the center at 25 minutes. When toothpick comes out clean, loosen from pans and then put back in the pans.
6. 6 Let cakes cool for 15 minutes. Keep in the pans, wrap in foil, and put in the freezer for at least 2 hours. Frosting
7. 7 This part is a little harder as it is really done to taste. Put powdered sugar and 3 cocoa into a food processor. Pulse until blended.
8. 8 Drizzle in, until about the consistency of firm butter, several tablespoons of flavoring liquid (water if you aren't looking for flavor beyond the cocoa and butter). To not put in too much liquid, but if you do, add more cocoa or sugar. Taste. When the flavor and consistency is right,
9. 9 Add 1 1/2 cup of butter (firm, not cold and not too soft). A good rule of thumb is that both the butter and the sugar mixture should be slightly firmer than you would want it to be to spread it, since the mixing action of the food processor will warm it slightly. Pulse until blended.
10. 10 Remove the cakes from the freezer and from their pans. Stack, frosting each layer as you go. Let sit for an hour before serving.