Description
A straightforward recipe for a deeply chocolatey, tender, and very moist layer cake, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot brewed coffee
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes.
- Carefully pour the hot coffee into the batter and mix on low speed until just combined. The batter will be thin.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Notes
- Using hot coffee deepens the chocolate flavor and helps create a very moist crumb. Do not skip this step.
- Buttermilk is essential for tenderness; substitute with milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar if needed, letting it sit for 5 minutes before use.
- For a bakery style finish, use a rich chocolate ganache or buttercream frosting.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg