Grandpa's Chocolate-Rum Cake

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon almond extract 
• 1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 cup butter softened
• 15 servings garnish: chocolate shavings 
• 0.5 cup rum dark
• 4 large eggs 
• 2 cups flour all-purpose
• 0.1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 2 cups sugar 
• 1 cup cocoa unsweetened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 cup water hot

Equipment

• oven
• wire rack
• hand mixer

Directions

1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add sugar, beating well.
2. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.
3. Add rum; beat until blended.
4. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients; add to sugar mixture alternately with hot water, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition; stir in flavorings.
5. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans.
6. Bake at 350 for 27 minutes (cake will not test quite done). Cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
7. Spread 1 cup Mousse Frosting between layers. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting.
8. Garnish, if desired. Cover and chill 8 hours. Store in refrigerator.