Vienna Cafe Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Grease and flour 3 9-inch round pans; set aside.
2. 2
   Preheat oven to 350°.
3. 3
   Place flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl and mix well; set aside.
4. 4
   In large bowl with electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually stir in flour mixture alternately with milk just until blended.
5. 5
   Divide batter into prepared pans.
6. 6
   Adjust racks to divide oven in thirds; stagger pans on racks. Bake, rotating pans once to insure even layers, for 20 to 25 minutes or until pick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. 7
   Cool in pans on rack for 10 minutes; invert cakes on rack; remove pans; turn cakes right side up; cool completely.
8. 8
   Make Coffee-Cream frosting: In well chilled bowl beat heavy cream until it starts to thicken; beat in sugar and instant coffee until stiff.
9. 9
   Divide frosting evenly to fill between layers and frost top. Garnish with almonds if desired.