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Ultimate Moist & Easy Homemade Chocolate Layer Cake

Close-up of a thick slice of moist homemade chocolate cake layered with dark chocolate frosting.
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A simple recipe for a rich, moist chocolate layer cake with homemade chocolate buttercream frosting, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
  • 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream (for frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

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. While the cakes cool, make the frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with the milk or cream. Beat until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  9. Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread about one-third of the frosting over the top. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake.

Notes

  • Using hot coffee instead of hot water deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
  • Do not overmix the batter after adding the wet ingredients to keep the cake tender.
  • For extra moistness, wrap cooled cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and chill them before frosting.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/homemade-chocolate-cake/