Description
A simple, rich recipe for a moist homemade chocolate layer cake with classic chocolate buttercream frosting, perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water or hot brewed coffee
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
- 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
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, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt for the cake.
- Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes.
- Carefully stir in the hot water or coffee until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick 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 until creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and 1/2 cup cocoa powder, alternating with the milk or cream, beating until smooth.
- Add the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add more powdered sugar if the frosting is too thin, or more milk if it is too stiff.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, frost and stack the layers.
Notes
- Using hot coffee instead of hot water deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
- Buttermilk helps create a tender crumb; if you do not have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- For a fudgier texture, slightly reduce the amount of hot liquid used.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 55g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg