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Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter two 9-inch cake pans and line with parchment paper.

In a pan over low heat, melt chocolate in 1/3 cup of coffee, stirring constantly. When melted, set aside to cool slightly.

In a bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well. Add vanilla and blend in chocolate. Beat well.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add dry mixture alternately with the remaining 1 cup of coffee, mixing just enough to combine, by hand or on lowest mixer speed.

Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in pans, then remove and cool on a rack. (Layers are fragile; handle carefully.)

Frost with Coffee-Chocolate Frosting, below.

Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Add butter and stir until blended. Pour into a bowl. Beat in confectioners’ sugar and salt alternately with a few drops of strong coffee at a time until frosting reaches the proper consistency. Beat in vanilla.

Spread frosting between cake layers and on top and sides.