RICH CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Position a rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 350F.
• Line the bottoms of two 9x2-inch round pans with parchment paper.
• Melt chocolate in microwave (LOW or MED), stirring occasionally until smooth.
• You may use a double boiler too (make sure water is HOT, not simmering).
• Cool chocolate until tepid.
• Sift flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt into a large mixing bowl.
• Add brown sugar.
• Using a paddle blade on electric mixer, combine the ingredients on low speed.
• Add butter and sour cream.
• Mix on med-low speed for 1 min to make a thick batter.
• Add eggs, melted chocolate and vanilla.
• Increase speed to high and beat for 2 mins.
• Stop and scrape down the bowl.
• Resume mixing at med-high, for about 5 sec.
• Reduce speed to low and slowly pour in the water just until thoroughly blended.
• Spoon batter into prepared pans and spread it evenly.
• Bake until tops spring back when pressed lightly in the centers and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 30-35 mins.
• Transfer to cooling racks and cool for 10 mins.
• Invert onto racks and remove pans.
• Peel off the parchment and cool the cakes right side up.
• NOTE: The cake can be baked 1 day in advance.
• Wrap the cooled cake layers tightly with plastic wrap to store.
• Or to freeze, over-wrapped with foil, for up to 2 weeks.