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Moist Homemade Chocolate Cake

A close-up of a rich, moist slice of homemade chocolate cake topped with dark chocolate frosting on a white plate.
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A simple, step-by-step recipe for a rich and moist chocolate cake from scratch, complete with a decadent chocolate buttercream frosting.

Ingredients

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  • 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
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water or hot brewed coffee
  • For Frosting: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 cup cocoa powder; 1/2 cup milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes.
  4. Carefully stir in the hot water or coffee until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.
  5. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
  6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with the milk. Mix until smooth, then add vanilla and beat until light and fluffy.
  9. Once the cakes are completely cool, frost and stack them.

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 regular milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
  • For a layer cake, ensure the layers are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.

Nutrition

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