Description
Bake a moist, rich chocolate layer cake that’s perfect for birthdays and celebrations. This classic recipe is easy to follow and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until well combined.
- Carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat until smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, frost them generously.
Notes
- Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added.
- The thin batter is normal for this recipe.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: approximately 450
- Sugar: approximately 60g
- Sodium: approximately 300mg
- Fat: approximately 25g
- Saturated Fat: approximately 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: approximately 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: approximately 70g
- Fiber: approximately 3g
- Protein: approximately 4g
- Cholesterol: approximately 80mg