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Ingredients for the Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

To make this recipe absolutely foolproof, use fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (room temperature)
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) hot coffee or boiling water

For the Chocolate Frosting:

  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 ½ cups (440g) powdered sugar
  • ½ cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream or milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. This ensures your cakes release easily after baking and keeps them perfectly shaped.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these ingredients first ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Carefully pour in the hot coffee (or boiling water) and mix on low speed until fully combined. The batter will be thin — that’s what makes this cake extra moist!
  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.