This recipe yields a rich, moist chocolate cake perfect for any occasion. It’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
- For the Chocolate Frosting (Optional):
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk or heavy cream
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pans:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. You can also line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Mix the Batter:
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix on medium speed with an electric mixer until well combined.
- Carefully pour in the hot coffee and mix until the batter is smooth and thin.
- Bake the Cakes:
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cakes:
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting (Optional):
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, mixing on low speed until combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and milk or cream, and beat on high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost the Cake:
- Once the cakes are completely cool, frost them with the chocolate frosting.
Tips for Success:
- Hot Coffee: The hot coffee enhances the chocolate flavor and makes the cake extra moist.
- Cooling: Ensure the cakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Even Layers: Using baking strips on the outside of your cake pans will help your cakes bake more evenly.
- Frosting variations: Feel free to use your favorite frosting recipe.