Chocolate Polka Dot Cake

If the name of this cake doesn't get 'em alone, than the sinfully rich chocolate taste will. Our special Chocolate Polka Dot Cake really does take the cake!

Serves: 12

Cooking Time: 40 min

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25-ounce) package devil's food cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup chocolate-flavored syrup
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup plus ½ teaspoon vegetable shortening
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray.
    
2. In a large bowl, beat cake mix, water, chocolate syrup, oil, and eggs until well combined. Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips then pour batter into pans.
   
   
3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool 10 minutes then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.
    
4. In a medium bowl, beat butter, 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Frost the cake. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt remaining chocolate chips and vegetable shortening , stirring constantly.  Allow to cool slightly, then dip the tip of a wooden spoon handle into the melted chocolate and make chocolate polka dots at intervals around the cake. Let chocolate harden then serve, or cover loosely until ready to serve.