Chocolate Espresso Cake

Here's a cake to make when you're craving chocolate and coffee! Enjoy!

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups flour
3/4 cups baking cocoa
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup milk

Icing:
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup half and half
2 tablespoons coffee

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. Add vanilla and eggs, mixing well. In small bowl, combine flour, baking cocoa, instant coffee, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Add to butter mixture alternately with milk, mixing well between additions. Pour into lightly greased oblong baking dish. Bake for 30-40 minutes until cake springs back when pressed in center. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool on wire racks. 

To prepare icing: In mixing bowl, cream together powdered sugar and butter. Add half and half along with coffee, mixing well. Spread over cooled cake. Serves 16-20.
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