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Ultimate Moist and Rich Chocolate Cake from Scratch

Close-up of a rich, moist slice of chocolate cake recipe covered in thick, glossy dark chocolate frosting.
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A straightforward recipe for a deeply chocolatey, moist layer cake with a simple fudge frosting.

Ingredients

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  • 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 strong brewed coffee
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
  • 1/4 cup milk (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees 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 coffee by hand 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. To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with the milk, until smooth. Beat until light and fluffy.
  9. Once the cakes are completely cool, frost and stack the layers.

Notes

  • Using hot coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
  • Buttermilk helps create a tender crumb; if you do not have buttermilk, mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into 1 cup of regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the wet and dry ingredients are combined.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://whiskdaily.com/chocolate-cake-recipe-moist-rich-from-scratch/