Vanilla Buttermilk Cake with Instant Fudge Frosting

INGREDIENTS

whole eggs, room temperature

egg yolks, room temperature

1 1/4 cups

buttermilk, room temperature

2 tsp

pure vanilla extract

3 cups

cake flour, sifted

2 cups

sugar

1 tbsp

plus 1/2 teaspoon (17 g) baking powder

1/2 tsp

salt

1 cup

(2 sticks)(227 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature

6 oz

quality unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

4 1/2 cups

confectioners' sugar (no need to sift)

1 1/2 cups

(3 sticks)(340 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature

6 tbsp

half-and-half

1 tbsp

pure vanilla extract