From HERSHEY’S

Makes 12 servings

Begin a birthday tradition in your family with this homemade recipe for chocolate cake with HERSHEY’S KISSES Candy. Decorate with the birthday kids favorite sweets to customize for their special day.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups sugar

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa or HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING (recipe below)

1 bag (19.75 oz) HERSHEY’S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates

DIRECTIONS

1.Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9” round baking pans or one 13”x9”x2” baking pan.

2.Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3.Bake 30 to 35 minutes for round pans, 35 to 40 minutes for rectangular pan, or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

4.Frost with VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING. Remove wrappers from chocolates; garnish top and sides of cake.

VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Makes about 2 1/3 cups frosting

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons milk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1.Beat butter in large bowl until creamy.

2.Gradually add about half of the powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in milk and vanilla. Gradually add remaining powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Add additional milk, if necessary, until frosting is spreading consistency.

Find this recipe and more holiday treats at hersheys.com