Servings: 12 / Active Time: 1 ½ hrs. / Total Time: 3 ½ hrs.

1 3/4 C granulated sugar 1 ¾ C granulated sugar
1 2/3 C all-purpose flour 1 ⅔ C all-purpose flour
2/3 C unsweetened cocoa powder ⅔ C unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 ½ tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder ¾ tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt ¾ tsp salt
2 eggs 2 eggs
2/3 C oil ⅔ C oil
2/3 C hot-brewed black coffee ⅔ C hot-brewed black coffee
2/3 C + 4 tsp milk ⅔ C + 4 tsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/2 C semisweet chocolate chips 3 ½ C semisweet chocolate chips
1 3/4 C heavy cream 1 ¾ C heavy cream
1 - 8" cardboard circle 1 to 8" cardboard circle
1 C confectioners' sugar 1 C confectioners' sugar
Black plastic spiders (optional). Black plastic spiders (optional).

FOR CAKE: subheading: FOR CAKE:
Preheat oven to 350F.
Line bottoms of 2 (8") round cake pans with parchment paper; coat with cooking spray.
In large bowl, whisk first 6 ingredients.
Add eggs, oil, coffee, ⅔ C milk and vanilla; on medium speed of stand mixer, beat until smooth.
Divide between pans. Bake until pick inserted in center come out clean, about 25 to 30 mins.
Let cool for 30-mins.
Transfer from pans to rack; let cool completely.
FOR GANACHE: subheading: FOR GANACHE:
Place chocolate in large heatproof bowl.
In pot, bring cream to a boil; pour over chocolate in bowl; stir until smooth.
Transfer 2 C to microwave-safe bowl. Cover; chill, stirring often, until frosting consistency, about 45-mins.
Cover remaining mixture; reserve at room temperature.
Place 1 cake layer on cardboard. Spread top with half of chilled chocolate mixture; top with remaining cake layer. Spread top and sides with remaining chilled mixture.
Chill until just set, about 15-min.
Place rack on baking sheet. Mix confectioners' sugar and 3 tsp milk until smooth, adding remaining milk if too thick to pipe.
Transfer to pastry bag with ¼" opening in tip.
Microwave reserved room temp. chocolate mixture in 15-second intervals until pourable.
Place cake on rack. Pour chocolate over top to cover.
Immediately decorate.
DECORATE LIKE A PRO: subheading: DECORATE LIKE A PRO:
To create spiderweb, begin by piping a line of white icing around the cake top.
Starting from the center of the cake, pipe icing in one continuous spiral, ½" - ¾" apart, around the top of the cake.
Then, starting in center of cake, pull the dull side of a small paring knife through the icing to the cake's edge.
Let cake stand until icing is set, about 20-mins.
If desired, decorate with plastic spiders, set in the frosting.