Here’s a classic, moist chocolate cake—rich, tender, and perfect for any celebration. 🍫🎂
Classic Chocolate Cake (Two 9-inch layers, Serves 8–12)
Ingredients
Cake
- 1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- 1¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (65 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) hot water or hot coffee (coffee enhances chocolate flavor)
Chocolate Frosting
- ½ cup (115 g) butter, softened
- 2/3 cup (65 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Bake the cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
- Slowly stir in hot water or coffee (batter will be thin).
- Divide batter between pans. Bake 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
2. Make frosting
- Beat butter and cocoa powder until smooth.
- Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating until spreadable.
- Stir in vanilla.
3. Assemble
- Place one cake layer on a plate, spread frosting on top.
- Place second layer on top, frost top and sides.
Tips
- Moist cake: Coffee or hot water helps bloom the cocoa and keep cake tender.
- Extra chocolatey: Fold in ½ cup chocolate chips to the batter.
- Make-ahead: Cake can be baked a day ahead and frosted before serving.
Variations
- Chocolate fudge cake: Add ½ cup sour cream to batter for extra richness.
- Layered celebration cake: Triple layers with frosting between each.
- Chocolate raspberry: Spread raspberry jam under frosting for a fruity twist.
- Gluten-free: Substitute with gluten-free flour blend.
I can also give a super-moist one-bowl chocolate cake that’s ready in under 10 minutes prep time if you want a quicker version.
Do you want me to do that?
