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The Only Truly Moist, Easy, Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe

Close-up of a rich, moist slice of homemade chocolate cake covered in glossy chocolate frosting.
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A simple, from-scratch chocolate cake recipe that delivers a consistently moist crumb and rich, decadent flavor, topped with a classic chocolate buttercream frosting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water or hot brewed coffee
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
  • 1/4 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 or one 9×13 inch pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt for the cake.
  3. Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes.
  4. Carefully pour in the hot water or coffee and mix on low speed until just combined. 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 in a large bowl until creamy.
  9. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with the milk or cream, beating until smooth.
  10. Stir in the vanilla extract. Beat on high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  11. Once the cake layers are completely cool, frost and assemble the cake.

Notes

  • Using hot coffee instead of hot water deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
  • For an extra fudgy texture, use the cake recipe to make a Bundt cake and dust with powdered sugar instead of frosting.
  • This recipe is excellent for a birthday cake centerpiece.

Nutrition

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