THE Chocolate Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups sugar

• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1½ teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon instant espresso

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup vegetable oil

• 2 eggs – room temp

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• ½ tsp almond extract

• 1 cup boiling water

• 1½ cups butter (3 sticks – allow to come completely to room temperature)

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa

• 5 cups confectioner’s sugar

• ½ cup milk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon instant espresso