MANDARIN ORANGE-CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE WITH ICING

CAKE:
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 tbsp vinegar
3 1/4 + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 3/4 cups + 2 tbsp sugar
4 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp butter flavoring
1 1/2 tbsp chocolate extract
2 tbsp orange extract
1 1/4 cups water
1 1/4 cups mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour 3 9-inch round cake pans; set aside.

In a cup, combine the evaporated milk and vinegar; set aside.
Sift the flour, salt, and baking soda together; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, blend the butter and sugar together until creamy and smoooth.  Beat in the eggs, one at a time and beating well after each addition.  Add the vanilla extract, butter flavoring, chocolate extract, and orange extract; beat well.  Beat in the milk/vinegar mixture.  Alternately add the flour mixture and water, starting and ending with flour.  Add the flour 3 times and the water 2 times, beating after each addition.

Fold the chocolate mini chips into the batter and divide batter evenly into the 3 baking pans.  Gently tap pans on counter to level.  Bake at 350 degrees approximately 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes.  Remove from pan and cool completely on wire racks before icing.

ICING:
1 block (8-oz) cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp butter flavoring
1 1/2 tsp chocolate extract
2 tsp orange extract
1 lb sifted powdered sugar
dash of salt
1 tbsp water
1 can (8-oz) Mandarin oranges, well drained

Using an electric mixer on low speed, blend the cream cheese with the vanilla extract, butter flavoring, chocolate extract, and orange extract.  Add the powdered sugar, salt, and water and beat until smooth and of spreading consistency. 

To assemble: Place one layer on cake plate and spread icing over the top, place second layer over the iced layer and top with icing.  Place the third layer on top and frost the top.  With all three layers stacked, frost the sides of the cake.  When cake is fully frosted, arrange the oranges on the top as garnish. 

 File Photo used for reference only.