Brian
Just incase you haven't started making her cake yet. You can use this easy to follow recipie:
chocolate birthday cake
ingredients
2 eggs
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsps baking powder
1 1/2 tsps baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup boiling water
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsps milk
1 tbsps strong brewed coffee
method
1. In a large mixing bowl, add the following ingredients one at a time, beating well after each addition: eggs, white sugar, 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, oil, 1/2 cup cocoa, buttermilk and vanilla. (Instead of buttermilk you can use 3 tablespoons softened butter or margarine, 1/2 cup milk and 1 tablespoon vinegar.)
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; add to the sugar and egg mixture. Blend well. Fold in the boiling water.
3. Place batter in two greased and floured 8 inch round cake pans. Sprinkle 1/2 cup chocolate chips over each pan. Bake at 350F