Description
This chocolate cake is incredibly moist, rich, and full of deep chocolate flavor. Paired with a creamy chocolate frosting and a glossy ganache drizzle, it’s an easy yet impressive dessert perfect for birthdays and special occasions.
Ingredients
- Chocolate Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water
- Chocolate Frosting:
- 2 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 9 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 to 5 tablespoons water or milk
- 1 pinch salt
- Chocolate Ganache:
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line and grease three 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, buttermilk, and oil; mix until combined. Stir vanilla into hot water, then mix into batter (batter will be thin).
- Divide batter between pans and bake for 30–33 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, and enough water/milk for a creamy texture.
- Level cooled cakes and assemble with frosting between layers and around the outside.
- For ganache, heat cream until just boiling and pour over chocolate chips. Let sit 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
- Drizzle ganache over frosted cake and let set slightly. Add sprinkles if desired.
Notes
- Use hot brewed coffee instead of water for deeper flavor.
- Convert to cupcakes by baking in lined tins for 18–23 minutes.
- Frost with chocolate cream cheese frosting for variety.
- Store at room temperature for 3–4 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze unfrosted cake layers tightly wrapped for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 60g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 85g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
