Description
A rich and moist chocolate cake layered with creamy chocolate buttercream frosting. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any chocolate lover’s dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chocolate Cake:
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (I recommend organic sugar for better flavor)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar (adds moisture and flavor)
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (look for Dutch-processed for a richer flavor).
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- ¾ tsp salt (enhances chocolate flavor)
- 1 cup boiling water (helps bloom the cocoa for a deeper flavor)
- ¾ cup vegetable oil or canola oil (I prefer canola for a neutral taste)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (use good-quality butter for the best results).
- 2 large eggs
- 3 large egg yolks (this makes for a denser, richer cake)
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract (preferably pure for the best flavor)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (don’t forget to sift!)
- ½ cup sour cream (the secret weapon for moistness)
- ⅓ cup milk (whole or 2% is best for richness)
For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 recipe for Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (detailed below)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix on medium speed until combined.
- Gradually add hot water and mix until smooth (batter will be thin).
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add cocoa powder and mix until combined.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and spreadable.
- Frost cooled cake layers and serve.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature ingredients.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake.
- The hot water helps bloom the cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
- Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 55g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg