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The Best Ultra Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

Close-up of a moist, dark slice of chocolate cake recipe with two layers and thick chocolate frosting.
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This is the foolproof recipe you need for a rich, deeply chocolatey layer cake that stays incredibly moist. It is simple enough for beginners but decadent enough for any celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, dark preferred
  • 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 brewed coffee (or hot water)
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, for extra richness)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper circles.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
  3. Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes until the batter is smooth.
  4. Carefully pour the hot coffee (or hot water) into the batter and mix on low speed until just combined. The batter will be thin; this is correct for a moist cake. Stir in chocolate chips now if you are using them.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between 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 before frosting.
  8. Prepare your favorite chocolate frosting, such as a simple chocolate buttercream or fudge frosting, and assemble the layer cake.

Notes

  • Using hot coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee. This is a key step for a rich chocolate cake.
  • Buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to give you that tender, soft crumb you want in a homemade dessert.
  • If you are making cupcakes instead, bake for 18 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition

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