Classic Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the cake:
• 1¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) boiling water or hot coffee (for richer flavor)
For the frosting (optional but awesome):
• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3½ cups (440g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream (or milk for a lighter version)
Instructions
1 Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2 Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3 Add wet ingredients: Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
4 Add hot water or coffee: Slowly stir in the boiling water (batter will be thin – that’s good!).
5 Bake: Divide batter between pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6 Cool: Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
Chocolate Frosting
1 Beat butter until creamy.
2 Sift in cocoa powder and powdered sugar gradually.
3 Add vanilla, salt, and cream. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
4 Frost cooled cakes and stack!
