Vanilla-Chocolate Cake Prague ("Praga")

A perfect Birthday cake!
Ingredients:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk
• 2-3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2-2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cognac or liquor (optional)
• 1-2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Creamy Frosting:

• 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 lb unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon cognac or liquor (optional)
• 1-2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Nuts to taste

Directions:

1. Boil the sweetened condensed milk (in the can) in a large saucepan (make sure the water covers the top of the can) for 1 hour and cool.
2. Beat eggs and sugar very well (using a whisk or mixer).
3. Add 1 cup of the flour, sour cream, 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk, and mix. Add the rest of the flour and mix again (sift all of the flour).
4. In a separate bowl, mix together the baking soda and vinegar, cognac or liquor (optional), vanilla extract, and baking powder. Add to the rest of the cake mixture and mix.
5. Pour the batter into a warm greased baking tray.
6. Put an oven-proof plate filled with water on the bottom of the oven to avoid burning.
7. Bake the cake at 375-400F about 20-25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool the cake, cut into 2 layers (cut across the middle of the thickness), and trim the edges to make them even.
9. Using a butter knife, frost each cake layer (and stack them on top of each other).
10. Sprinkle the top layer with the crumbs from the trimmed edges. Add nuts (if desired). ENJOY!

Creamy Frosting:

1. Mix the other 1/2 can of sweetened condensed milk with butter very well.
2. Add cognac or liquor (optional), vanilla extract, and nuts to taste, and mix again.
3. Cool the cream before frosting.