My Favorite Chocolate Cake & Frosting

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup boiling water

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla, beat on medium speed  2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour into pans. 

Bake 30-35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with frosting recipe below. 10-12 servings. 

For cupcakes, fill liners 2/3 full with batter. Bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes. Cool; frost. Makes 30 cupcakes.

Chocolate Frosting

1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla 

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on medium speed to spreading consistency. Add more milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla.  Makes about 2 cups frosting.