grandmommy's miracle whip cake with vanilla butter cream frosting and chocolate ganache

so i saw this cake here on bakarella and knew i had to make it!! i used my grandmother's miracle whip cake mix which can be found here.. it is now my go to chocolate cake recipe.. it's really quick and simple and in about 40 minutes (from start to finish) you have such a delicious moist cake.. it really is one of the best chocolate recipes out there..

but unlike the other times i have made grandmommy's cake this time i frosted it with vanilla butter cream.. then topped that with chocolate ganache.. seriously folks this cake is amazing.. but it's about a once a year type cake.. this thing will put you into total chocolate overload.. pete took a glass put his cake in the bottom of the glass then filled it up with milk and ate it like that.. weird i know but he has been eating cake like that his entire life!!

it's got everything you want in a cake.. chocolate being the best thing.. vanilla buttercream frosting.. how this cake could not be someones favorite is beyond me.. but then again i am self proclaimed chocoholic!! through and through.. i love chocolate..

at your next birthday this is the cake to make.. i promise you won't be disappointed..

for the cake use my grandmother's recipe found here...

vanilla buttercream frosting (adapted from bakarella's found here..)

1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
4-8 tablespoons milk

beat butter in a mixer until smooth.. add vanilla and mix until combined.. add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and mix.. scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.. add milk 1 tablespoon at a time and mix until you ..achieve a smooth texture

chocolate ganache

3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

heat cream and butter in a saucepan until melted and remove from heat before it starts to boil.. add chocolate chips.. whisk by hand until completely melted and smooth.. let cool until thick and pourable.. it can take a bit so be patient.

to assemble: trim the tops off of your cake layers with a long serrated knife so they have a nice flat top.. place on layer on the bottom side up on your cake stand.. spread frosting on top of bottom layer.. place second layer on top.. apply a thin coat of frosting to the entire cake and put in the fridge for 15 minutes.. this is called a crumb coat.. remove from fridge and frost entire cake with a thick layer of butter cream.. then slowly pour ganache over center of cake and allow it to drop down cake.. place back in the fridge until ready to serve..  serve with french vanilla ice cream and enjoy!!