| 2 | c | Sifted all-purpose flour |
| 1/4 | ts | Salt |
| 1/4 | ts | Freshly grated nutmeg |
| 1 1/2 | ts | Baking soda |
| 4 | oz | Unsweetened chocolate |
| 1 | c | Unsalted butter; at room temperature (margarine can be substituted; or use half of each) |
| 1 3/4 | c | Granulated sugar |
| 4 | lg | Eggs |
| 1 1/3 | c | Buttermilk |
| 1 | ts | Vanilla extract |
| 1 | c | Semisweet mini-chocolate chips |
| | QUICK CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM |
| | FROSTING |
| 1/2 | c | Unsalted butter; softened but not melted |
| 1 | lg | Egg yolk (optional) |
| 1 | pn | Salt |
| 1 | ts | Vanilla extract |
| 4 | | -(up to) |
| 4 1/2 | c | Sifted confectioners' sugar |
| 4 | | -(up to) |
| 6 | oz | Semisweet chocolate; melted and cooled |
| 5 | | -(up to) |
| 6 | tb | Heavy cream or milk; OR as needed |
