Brownstone Front Cake (South Carolina)

This cake is delicious unfrosted or, for a special touch, frost with Icing for Brownstone Front Cake.

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
• 3 cups cake flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 egg whites, stiffly beaten

Icing

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 (5 1/3 ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Mix buttermilk and baking soda together; let stand to expand.
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Add yolks and chocolate; mix.
4. Add buttermilk mixture, then sifted ingredients.
5. Add vanilla extract, and beat well.
6. Fold in egg whites.
7. Bake in greased, lined tube pan at 300 degrees F for 1 hour.
8. In saucepan, combine butter, sugar and milk. Dissolve over low heat. Bring to boiling point and simmer 45 minutes uncovered.
9. Remove from heat; add vanilla extract. Cool to room temperature, then beat well. Spread on cake.