Upgraded Chocolate Cake Mix

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare 3 six inch cake pans by lining the bottoms with parchment paper and spraying the sides with vegetable oil.

2. Sift together cake mix, all purpose flour, and cocoa powder in a large container.

3. To the dry ingredients, add melted butter, freshly brewed coffee, vanilla extract and vegetable oil. Mix in ingredients with electric mixer until just combined (no more than 1 minute).

4. Add in eggs and mix for 1 minutes.

5. Add in sour cream and mix until just combined (no more than 1 minute).

6. Evenly divide cake batter into three cake pans and level off the batter using an offset spatula.

7. Put cake pans in oven and bake for about 45 minutes or until cake or until a toothpick stuck into the center of the cake comes out clean.

8. Cool completely for about 1-2 hours at room temperature before decorating with frosting.

Dark Chocolate Frosting

1. Add chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of butter to a small bowl and microwave in 10 second intervals until chocolate completely melts and combines evenly with the butter (about 40-50 seconds total).

2. In a separate larger bowl, combine powdered sugar, cocoa powder, hot water, and 3/4 cup softened butter.

3. Add melted chocolate and mix until frosting comes together.

4. Chill for 15-30 minutes if frosting is too soft.

Assembly

1. Add small amount of frosting to bottom of a cake plate or board.

2. Place first cake layer top of the frosting, centered in the middle of the plate or board.

3. Place frosting in between each layer and all around the cake.

4. Decorate with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, edible flowers, etc.