Homemade Chocolate Cake

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. and grease a 13x9-inch baking dish.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup cocoa and boiling water and set aside.
3. In a second small bowl, stir together baking soda and sour cream and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, cream 1 stick butter and granulated sugar.
5. Gradually mix in the sour cream mixture and cocoa mixture alternately. Beat until fluffy.
6. In a second large bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold the egg whites and 1-1/2 teaspoons of vanilla into cake mixture.
7. Pour batter into prepared baking dish and bake for 50 minutes or until center springs back when touched and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let cool on wire rack.
9. To prepare frosting, cream remaining butter in a small bowl. Add 3/4 cup cocoa and confectioners' sugar alternately with milk. Beat until it reaches a spreading consistency. Add more or less milk, depending on the texture you want.
10. Blend in the remaining vanilla. Frost cake and slice and serve.