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Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 200 reviews

This Best Chocolate Cake Recipe delivers a rich, moist, and intensely chocolatey cake perfect for any celebration. Featuring a deep cocoa flavor balanced with espresso powder and a creamy chocolate frosting, this cake is baked in three layers and frosted with a luscious, fluffy buttercream icing that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder (dutch processed)
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk
  • 1 tsp espresso powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs

Chocolate Frosting Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups butter (softened)
  • 5 cups powdered sugar (more or less depending on consistency)
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder (dutch processed)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream (or more as needed depending on consistency)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper or spray them with baking spray, then set aside to ensure easy cake removal later.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This will create a uniform base for your batter.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large measuring cup or bowl, dissolve the espresso powder into the buttermilk, then add the vanilla extract. Set this mixture aside for later use.
  4. Beat Sugar and Oil: In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat together the vegetable oil and sugar for about 2 minutes until well combined and slightly creamy.
  5. Add Eggs: Add the eggs to the sugar and oil mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
  6. Combine Batter: Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk mixture to the sugar mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently and scrape down the sides to incorporate everything evenly without overmixing.
  7. Divide and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the three prepared pans. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
  8. Make the Frosting: Add the softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla extract to a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
  9. Mix Frosting Ingredients: Start mixing on low speed to combine the ingredients. The mixture will be dry and crumbly initially.
  10. Add Cream and Whip: Gradually pour in the heavy cream while continuing to beat the frosting. Scrape down the bowl sides and beat for an additional 90 seconds until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  11. Adjust Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add more heavy cream little by little. If too thin, add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency suitable for frosting the cake.
  12. Assemble and Frost: Once the cakes are completely cool, stack the layers with frosting between them and cover the entire cake with the remaining chocolate frosting. Smooth with a spatula or decorate as desired.

Notes

  • Ensure cakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
  • Use Dutch processed cocoa for a smoother, richer chocolate flavor.
  • Espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
  • Adjust heavy cream in frosting gradually to maintain the perfect spreading consistency.
  • Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
  • Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature before serving for best texture and flavor.

Keywords: chocolate cake, best chocolate cake recipe, easy chocolate cake, moist chocolate cake, homemade chocolate cake, chocolate buttercream frosting, layered chocolate cake

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/best-chocolate-cake-recipe/