Pecan Fudge Ripple Layer Cake

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, divided use
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided use
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 large egg
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 5 3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1 1/3 cups cocoa
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Recipe

• 1 beat shortening at medium until fluffy; gradually add 1 1/2 cup sugar, beating well.
• 2 add 2 eggs, 1 at a time beating until blended after each addition.
• 3 combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to shortening mixture, alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. mix at low after each addition until blended.
• 4 beat 3 more minutes at high speed, stopping once to scrape down sides. stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. pour batter into prepared pans. set aside.
• 5 in another bowl beat cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter and cornstarch at medium until creamy.
• 6 gradually add sweetened condensed milk, beating well. add 1 egg; beat well.
• 7 stir in remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. spoon cream cheese mixture evenly over batter.
• 8 bake at 350°f for 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.
• 9 to make the frosting beat 2/3 cups butter at medium until creamy.
• 10 combine powdered sugar and 1 1/2 cups cocoa; add to butter alternately with 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk, beginning and ending with powdered sugar mixture. beat until spreading consistency.
• 11 stir in remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. sprinkle with toasted walnuts.