Birthday Cake with Fudgy Mocha Frosting

This is an easy way to upgrade a box of cake mix.  I can't handle those cans of frosting though, so that's gotta be made from scratch.  I would make this a day in advance and and keep airtight.

Birthday Cake with Fudgy Mocha Frosting

Ingredients

Yellow Cake

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted*
• 1/2 cup milk*
• 5 eggs*

• Fudgy Mocha Frosting

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3 Tbsp. corn syrup
• 6 Tbsp. milk
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2/3 cup cocoa
• 1 tsp. espresso powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Serves 10 - 14
Cook time: 20 minutes

*These amounts may change; follow the directions on your cake mix box, but in exact amounts replace melted butter for oil, milk for water, and add 1 or 2 eggs.  Bake  according to package directions.

Beat butter and shortening in an stand mixer with the paddle attachment until softened, about 2 minutes; beat in corn syrup.  Sift, or whisk, together powdered sugar, cocoa, espresso powder, and salt.  Stir together milk and vanilla.  Add powdered sugar mixture to butter alternately with vanilla mixture, beginning and ending with powdered sugar mixture; beat on low so the powdered sugar stays in the bowl.