Bakers 225th Anniversary Cake

1 3/4 c flour
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1 pkg (8 squares) Baker's Semi-Sweet
   Baking Chocolate
1 c butter cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/4 c sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 c buttermilk
1 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans; set aside.
Sift together flour, soda and salt; set aside. Melt cut-up butter and chocolate in large microwave proof bowl in microwave for 2 minutes on high. Stir until chocolate is completely melted; set aside.

Beat sugar and eggs in medium bowl with electric mixer on high for 2 minutes. Add chocolate and beat until well blended, about 15 seconds. Gradually add flour mixture, beating on low speed until well blended, about 1 minute. Scrape sides of bowl. Add buttermilk and vanilla; beat on low speed for 15 seconds, then medium speed for another 15 seconds. Pour cake batter evenly into prepared pans.

Bake on middle oven rack for 30 to 34 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. Do not overbake. Cool in pans for 5 minutes. Remove to wire rack and cool completely. Fill and frost with Baker's 225th Anniversary Fudge icing. Refrigerate cake until ready to serve. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.

Bakers 225th Anniversary Fudge Icing

2 c firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 1/4 c heavy whipping cream
1 c half-and-half
1 pkg (8 squares) Baker's Semi-Sweet
   Baking Chocolate, coarsely chopped
6 T butter, cut in 1/2-inch pieces

Place all ingredients except butter in medium saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring with wire wisk until chocolate is melted. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 25 minutes or until thickened. Stir frequently.

Remove from heat and add butter, one piece at a time, stirring after each addition until completely melted. Pour into 15x10x1 inch pan. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Place icing in a large mixer bowl and beat with electric mixer on high speed for 1 minute. Scrape bottom and sides of bowl. Beat another 30 seconds or until light and fluffy. Immediately frost cake.