BON APPETIT'S CHOCOLATE CAKE W/CARAMEL-MILK CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cake: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Spray three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides with nonstick spray.
• Line bottom of pans with parchment paper.
• Whisk flour and next 4 ingredients in medium bowl.
• Using electric mixer, beat brown sugar and butter in large bowl until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in vanilla.
• Beat in dry ingredients in 3 additions alternately with buttermilk in 2 additions.
• Beat in 1/2 cup lukewarm water.
• Stir in chocolate chips.
• Divide batter among prepared pans (about 2 1/3 cups for each).
• Smooth tops.
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 22 minutes.
• Cool completely in pans on racks.
• Invert cakes onto 9-inch-diameter cardboard rounds or tart pan bottoms (cakes are delicate).
• Peel off parchment.
• For frosting: Combine milk chocolate and bittersweet chocolate in large bowl.
• Stir sugar and 1/2 cup water in medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
• Boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 10 minutes.
• Carefully and slowly add whipping cream (mixture will bubble vigorously).
• Stir over low heat until any hard caramel bits dissolve and mixture is smooth.
• Pour caramel over chocolate; let stand 1 minute to allow chocolate to soften, then whisk until chocolate is melted and smooth.
• Chill chocolate-caramel frosting until completely cool, about 2 hours.
• Let stand 1 hour at room temperature before continuing.
• Using electric mixer, beat frosting just until color resembles milk chocolate and frosting is easily spreadable, about 1 minute (do not overbeat or frosting will become stiff and grainy).
• If necessary to correct graininess, set bowl with frosting over saucepan of simmering water for 10-second intervals, whisking just until frosting is smooth and spreadable.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter, flat side up.
• Spread 1 cup frosting evenly over top.
• Top with second cake layer, flat side up, pressing slightly to adhere.
• Spread 1 cup frosting over top.
• Top with third cake layer, rounded side up, pressing slightly.
• Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake, swirling decoratively.
• (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and store at room temperature.).