You say its your birthday...

It was our friend Mark's birthday this weekend, and a little birdy told me peanut butter and chocolate is one of his favorite flavor combinations (I have to agree!). So I decided to go all out and make this delicious chocolate cake with a peanut-butter butter cream frosting. We all crashed about 20 minutes after eating it, but birthdays only come once a year!
This recipe is adapted from one that appeared in the Boston Globe in 2007.

Chocolate Cake:
2c granulate turbinado sugar
1 3/4c flour
3/4c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2t baking powder
1 1/2t baking soda
1t salt
2 eggs lightly beaten
1c milk
1t vanilla extract
1c boiling water

Preheat oven to 350 F, and lightly grease 2 9-inch round cake pans. Fit cake pans with parchment paper cutouts and grease as well.
In a stand mixer, combine all dry ingredients.
With mixer on low speed, blend in eggs, milk and vanilla; then start slowly adding boiling water.
Divide batter evenly into pans and bake for 30-35 minutes until cake springs back when lightly touched.
Let cool completely before frosting.

Peanut-butter frosting:
1c unsalted butter
1c lard (i prefer) or veg shortening
2lbs confectioner's sugar
2T vanilla extract
1c water
2c smooth peanut-butter

In a stand mixer, cream together butter and lard; gradually add in sugar and mix until incorporated and stiff.
With mixer running on low, slowly add vanilla and water; beat until fluffy.
Add peanut butter and beat on medium-high until fluffy.
Chill until ready to use.