Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour three 9 cake pans. Cut 3 circles of waxed paper or parchment paper to fit the bottoms of the pans, and then press them in.
2. In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and eggs and mix until fluffy, about three minutes. Add the vanilla, cocoa, baking soda and salt and mix. Add ½ of the flour, then ½ of the sour cream and mix. Repeat with the remaining flour and sour cream. Drizzle in the hot coffee and mix until smooth. The batter will be thin. Pour into the prepared pans and bake until the tops are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in to the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Halfway through the baking, quickly rotate the pans in the oven to ensure even baking, but otherwise try not to open the oven door. Let cool in the pan 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks and let cool completely before frosting.
3. frosting
4. In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Drizzle in the melted chocolate and mix. Add the coffee and vanilla and mix. Add the sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Mix until well blended and fluffy.