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1
For the Frosting:
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Combine butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitter with a paddle attachment, and beat on low speed until sugar is incorporated.
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Increase speed to medium high and beat until mixture is light and whipped, about 3 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle.
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Add remaining ingredients and return to low speed until ingredients are incorporated. Increase speed to medium high and continue whipping until frosting is evenly combined and light, about 3 minutes.
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Cover and store in fridge until ready to use. Take out 30 minutes before anticipated need to let soften up a bit.
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6
For the Cake:
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Heat the oven to 325u00b0F and arrange the rack in the middle.
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8
Coat 2 (8-inch) cake pans with oil and flour, and tap out any excess flour. Set aside.
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Combine malted milk powder, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl, and whisk to aerate and break up any lumps.
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Set aside.
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Combine eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla in a separate large bowl, and whisk until combined and smooth.
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Add 1/3 of the flour mixture, and whisk until just incorporated.
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Add 1/2 of the milk, and whisk until smooth. Continue with remaining flour mixture and milk, alternating between each and whisking until all ingredients are just incorporated and smooth.
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Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans.
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Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean and the cakes start pulling away from the sides of the pans, about 45 to 50 minutes.
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Remove cakes from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool, about 15 minutes. Run a knife around the perimeter of each, and turn cakes out onto the rack to cool completely.
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For the Asembly:
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To frost, place a cake layer on an 8-inch cardboard round, a tart-pan bottom, or a cake plate.
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Evenly spread about 1/3 of the frosting over the top of the layer.
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Stack the second layer, and evenly spread another 1/3 of the frosting over the top and sides of the whole cake. (Don't worry about looks at this point-this is just a basecoat, a.k.a. a crumb layer, and it will be covered up later.) Place in the refrigerator until frosting is set up and slightly hard, about 15 minutes.
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21
Remove from the refrigerator and spread remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, ensuring it's as even as possible. Press malt balls into the frosting around the sides of the cake and serve or chill until ready to serve.
