MICROWAVE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH ALMOND CUSTARD FILLING

2 c. sugar
1 3/4 c. all purpose flour
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. instant coffee
2 eggs, room temperature
3/4 c. strong coffee
3/4 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla

ALMOND CUSTARD FILLING:

2 eggs, room temperature
2 egg yolks
1 c. sugar
1 c. scalded milk
1/4 c. flour
3 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/2 c. finely chopped toasted almonds
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. amaretto

FROSTING:

3/4 c. butter
1 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla

CAKE: Line bottom of 8 x 2 1/2 inch round microwave safe cake pan with parchment paper. Spray sides of pan with vegetable spray. Combine sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and instant coffee in large bowl. Combine eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla in another large bowl and beat well. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Cook on high 6 to 6 1/2 minutes, turning several times if cake begins cooking unevenly. Set pan on rack and let cool 10 minutes. Invert cake onto rack and let cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter. When cool, cut each cake in half horizontally to make 4 layers. Set aside.

FILLING: Combine eggs, egg yolks, sugar, milk, and flour in 1 quart measure and cook on high 30 seconds. Repeat cooking and stirring in 30 seconds intervals until mixture is thick, about 2 minutes. Blend in butter. Add chopped almonds, vanilla, and amaretto and beat until smooth, about 1 minute.

FROSTING: Melt butter in 2 quart measure on high for 45 seconds. Stir in cocoa and cook on high 30 seconds. Let cool. Add sugar and milk alternately to mixture, beating until smooth and thick, about 3 minutes. Stir in vanilla.

TO ASSEMBLE: Set one cake layer on serving platter. Spread with 1/3 filling. Top with second layer and spread with another 1/3 of filling. Add third layer and cover with remaining filling. Set fourth layer on top. Cover top and sides of cake with frosting. Serve at room temperature or chilled.