CAKE:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup HERSHEY'S COCOA
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup strong brewed coffee
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp butter extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 9" round cake pans.
In large bowl combine flour, HERSHEY'S COCOA, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
In a second large bowl combine oil, sugar, vanilla and butter extract. Beat eggs separately for 3 minutes then add them to the oil and sugar. Add coffee and buttermilk; blend well.
Add dry ingredients to wet. Blend until just mixed completely.
Pour evenly into prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees 30 to 35 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans.
Cool completely, then frost.
FROSTING:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (one stick) unsalted butter
2 cups half and half
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 Tbs vanilla extract
3/4 cup shortening
1-1/4 cup REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER
1/4 tsp salt
Directions:
In a sauce pan heat butter until just melted. Add flour to melted butter, use a whisk to mix.
Heat stove top to medium heat and add half and half. Whisk until very thick being careful not to burn the bottom.
In a large bowl add shortening. Beat shortening with a hand mixer on high for 5 minutes. Add REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER, beat for 5 more minutes.
Gradually add sugar and fully cooled spoonfuls of the sauce pan mixture to shortening and Reese's peanut butter mix. Make sure to beat well after each addition.
Add vanilla extract and salt. Beat until smooth and creamy.
Assembly:
Put the first cake layer on a cake plate and spread frosting on top. Repeat with other two layers. Using the rest of the frosting, cover the outside of the cake.
Refrigerate. Enjoy!