The one about the white chocolate cake

Happy birthday to my ten-year-old Austin!! He asked for white chocolate cake, which is a pain to make, but totally wonderful to eat. Death by white chocolate. Yes, I'll probably have a coronary it's so bad for you. That's why we eat it only about once a year.

I'm about all birthday'd out this month. All that's left is London's birthday, then Austin's pizza & movie party with his friends.

White Chocolate Cake

3 c. flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
6 squares (1 oz each) chopped white chocolate
1/2 c. hot water
1 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 c. buttermilk

frosting:
6 squares (1 oz each) chopped white chocolate
2 1/2 Tbs flour
1 c. milk
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

sift together the 3 c. flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. set aside. In small saucepan, melt 6 oz. white chocolate and hot water over low heat. Stir until smooth. Cool to room temp. In large bowl, cream 1 cup butter with 1 1/2 c. sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Stir in flour mixture alternating with buttermilk. Mix in melted white chocolate and vanilla. Pour batter into two 9 inch rounds that have had bottoms greased with shortening and lined with waxed paper. Bake 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Cool at least one hour before CAREFULLY removing from pans.

for frosting combine 6 oz white chocolate, 2 1/2 Tbs flour, and milk in small saucepan. Cook over med heat, stirring constantly until thick. Cool to room temp. In large bowl cream 1 c butter with 1 c sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla. Beat until fluffy. Gradually add cooled white chocolate mixture. Beat on high until it is the consistency of whipped cream.

***use only high-quality white chocolate and real butter