Perfect & Easy Chocolate Cake

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 35

Total Time 55

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:
2 cups All-Purpose Flour
2 cups Granulated Sugar
3/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder Natural or Dutch-processed
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Buttermilk or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp white vinegar, let sit for 5 mins
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
2 large Eggs room temperature
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 cup Hot Water or Hot Coffee enhances chocolate flavor
For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
1 cup 2 sticks Unsalted Butter, softened
3/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder sifted
4 cups Powdered Sugar sifted
1/2 cup Milk or Heavy Cream
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Salt

Instructions

Preheat Oven & Prepare Pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or grease and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Mix Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until well combined. The batter will be thick.
Add Hot Liquid: Carefully pour the hot water or hot coffee into the batter and mix on low speed until just combined. The batter will be thin, which is normal.
Pour & Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the two prepared cake pans.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Cool Cake: Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Make Frosting: While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Sift in the cocoa powder and beat until combined.
Alternately add the powdered sugar and the milk/cream, beating on low speed until combined, then on high speed until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
Assemble & Frost: Once the cake layers are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Place the second layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the entire cake.
Enjoy: Your delicious homemade easy chocolate cake recipe is ready to be sliced and served!

Notes

Using hot coffee instead of hot water will not make the cake taste like coffee, but it will deepen and enhance the chocolate flavor.

Ensure all your refrigerated ingredients (buttermilk, eggs) are at room temperature for a smoother batter.

Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added. Mix just until combined for a tender crumb.