Christmas Chocolate Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350F .
2. 2
   Grease bottom of three 9-inch layer pans with wax paper.
3. 3
   In saucepan, melt chocolate over boiling water (in double boiler).
4. 4
   Let cool.
5. 5
   In small bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt.
6. 6
   Set aside.
7. 7
   In large bowl (with electric mixer), cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
8. 8
   Beat egg yolks and vanilla.
9. 9
   Stir in chocolate.
10. 10
    Add flour mixrture alternately wirh buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating well.
11. 11
    In separare bowl, beat egg whites unitl stiff peaks form.
12. 12
    Fold into batter gently and thoroughly.
13. 13
    Divide batter among the 3 pans - smoothing the tops.
14. 14
    Bake in pre-heated oven for 30 minutes or until cake springs back when touched in center.
15. 15
    Cool cake pans on racks for 25 minutes.
16. 16
    Remove cakes from pans and peel off wax paper.
17. 17
    Cool cakes completely on racks before frosting.