Cupid's Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

-1 cup butter or margarine, softened
-2 1/2 cups sugar
-4 eggs
-2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
-2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
-1 cup baking cocoa
-2 teaspoons baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
-2 cups water
-1 cup whipping cream
-1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
-4 cups buttercream frosting of your choice

Directions

In a mixing bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla.

Combine dry ingredients; add to the creamed mixture alternately with water.

Pour into three greased and floured 9 inch round baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

For filling, in a mixing bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. Beat in confectioners' sugar and remaining vanilla.

Place bottom cake layer on a serving plate; spread with half of the filling. Repeat. Place top layer on cake; frost top and sides of cake with buttercream frosting. Store in the refrigerator.