Description
A recipe for a rich chocolate cake topped with smooth chocolate buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water or hot coffee
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
- 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the granulated sugar and mix well.
- Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes.
- Carefully stir in the hot water or coffee until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and 1/2 cup cocoa powder, alternating with the milk or cream, beating until smooth.
- Stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting or more milk for a thinner consistency.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the layers and the outside of the cake.
Notes
- Using hot coffee instead of hot water deepens the chocolate flavor in the cake.
- Ensure the butter for the frosting is truly softened, not melted, for the best texture.
- You can chill the cake layers briefly before frosting to make assembly easier.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 55g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chocolate cake, buttercream frosting, layer cake, cocoa, dessert