Dutch mocha chocolate cake

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup very strong hot coffee
• 3 cups sifted cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream
• 5 egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• Unforgettable White Chocolate Frosting (see recipe) or other frosting

Directions

• In a medium bowl, stir together the cocoa powder and the 3/4 cup sugar. Gradually whisk in coffee until mixture is dissolved. Cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, grease and lightly flour three 9x1-1/2-inch round baking pans. Set aside. Sift together cake flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
• In a very large bowl, beat butter with electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add 1 cup sugar and vanilla; beat well
• Whisk or stir the sour cream into the cooled cocoa mixture. Add flour mixture alternately with cocoa mixture to the creamed mixture, beating after each addition until just combined.
• Using clean beaters, in a large bowl, beat egg whites on medium to high speed about 1 minute or until soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add 1 cup sugar and beat on high speed until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Gently fold about one-third of the egg white mixture into creamed mixture to lighten. Fold in remaining egg white mixture.
• Divide mixture among the three prepared pans. Bake in a 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool cake layers in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove the cake layers from pans and cool completely on wire racks.
• Frost with Unforgettable White Chocolate Frosting or other frosting. Cover and refrigerate. Allow to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Makes 16 servings.

Unforgettable White Chocolate Frosting: In a heavy saucepan, melt 18 ounces chopped white chocolate baking squares or bars over low heat. Cool until slightly warm. In a large bowl, beat 3 ounces cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add 1 1/2 cups cut-up butter to cream cheese; beat until fluffy. Gradually add cooled chocolate, beating until well blended.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 725 cal., 46 g Fat, total, 61 mg chol., 71 g carb., 484 mg sodium.