🎂 Yield
- 2-layer 9-inch cake (serves 12–14)
🛒 Ingredients
🧁 Chocolate Cake Layers
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk (room temperature)
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) hot coffee (or hot water)
☕ Coffee enhances chocolate flavor but doesn’t make it taste like coffee.
🍫 Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter (softened)
- 3½ cups (440g) powdered sugar
- ½ cup (50g) cocoa powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream or milk (adjust as needed)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Oven & Pans
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
3️⃣ Add Wet Ingredients
Add:
- Eggs
- Milk
- Oil
- Vanilla
Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth.
4️⃣ Add Hot Coffee
Slowly pour in hot coffee while mixing on low speed.
The batter will be thin — this is normal.
5️⃣ Bake
- Divide batter evenly into pans.
- Bake 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
🍫 Make the Frosting
- Beat butter until creamy (2–3 minutes).
- Add powdered sugar and cocoa gradually.
- Add vanilla and salt.
- Add cream slowly until desired consistency is reached.
- Beat for 2–3 minutes until fluffy.
🎂 Assemble the Cake
- Place first cake layer on plate.
- Spread a thick layer of frosting on top.
- Add second layer.
- Frost top and sides evenly.
- Smooth with spatula or create decorative swirls.
✨ Optional Add-Ons
- Chocolate ganache drip
- Chocolate chips between layers
- Fresh berries
- Espresso powder (½ tsp in batter for deeper flavor)
🧊 Storage
- Room temperature (covered): 2 days
- Refrigerator: 5 days
- Freezer (unfrosted layers): 2 months
🔥 Pro Tips for Ultra Moist Cake
- Do NOT overmix after adding flour.
- Use room temperature ingredients.
- Slightly underbake for extra moisture.
- Brush layers with simple syrup if you want extra softness.
