Ingredients

• 3 cups sifted cake flour (not self-rising)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 recipe Chocolate Pudding, recipe follows
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 9 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions

Chocolate Pudding:

5 cups milk

1 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup cornstarch, sifted

2 large eggs

4 large egg yolks

10 ounces quality semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Place 4 1/2 cups of the milk, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and the salt in a heavy, nonreactive saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.

In a mixing bowl combine the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, the cocoa and the cornstarch and whisk to combine. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of milk and whisk until smooth.

Slowly whisk some of the hot milk mixture into the bowl, then add the contents of the bowl to the hot milk mixture and whisk until completely incorporated. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a gentle boil. Continue to boil gently until mixture thickens, about 2 minutes.

In a small bowl whisk the eggs and egg yolks together. Slowly add 1 cup of the hot cocoa mixture to the eggs and whisk to combine. Whisk this mixture into the hot cocoa mixture in the pot and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook, whisking constantly, until

pudding thickens slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Do not allow the mixture to boil.

Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl and place a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface. Set aside to cool.

Melt the chocolate with the butter in a small saucepan or in a double boiler and, when slightly cooled, whisk the chocolate mixture into the pudding base along with the vanilla. Cover again with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator until chilled but still slightly pourable. Use half in the Ugly Cake assemblage and refrigerate the remaining half until thoroughly chilled and serve with the Ugly Cake.