The Perfect Chocolate Cake (Printer-Friendly)
Rich, moist chocolate cake with silky buttercream frosting. A decadent dessert perfect for celebrations and chocolate cravings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
04 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
08 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
09 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
10 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
11 - 1 cup boiling water
→ Chocolate Frosting
12 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
17 - 1/4 cup whole milk, plus more if needed
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, then line bottoms with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed until well combined, about 2 minutes.
04 - Reduce speed to low and carefully add boiling water to the batter. Mix until smooth. The batter will be thin.
05 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
06 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
07 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt; mix on low until combined.
09 - Beat in vanilla and milk. Increase speed and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add more milk if needed for spreading consistency.
10 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread frosting over the top. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.
11 - Decorate as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The boiling water trick creates this impossibly moist crumb that stays fresh for days
- Its the cake that converts people who say theyre not into chocolate desserts
02 -
- That thin batter will freak you out but it's supposed to look that way
- Room temperature ingredients incorporate better and prevent curdling
03 -
- Brush the cooled cake layers with simple syrup before frosting for extra moisture
- Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to intensify the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee