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Ultimate Moist and Easy One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

A close-up of a rich, moist slice of chocolate cake recipe covered in dark chocolate frosting.
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A simple, one-bowl recipe for a very moist chocolate cake with a rich homemade frosting. This recipe is quick to prepare and suitable for beginners.

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
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water or hot brewed coffee
  • For Frosting: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or one 9×13 inch pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes.
  4. Carefully stir in the hot water or coffee until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.
  5. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
  6. Bake 30 to 35 minutes for round layers, or 35 to 40 minutes for a sheet cake, 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.
  8. To make the frosting, beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy.
  9. Gradually add the cocoa powder and powdered sugar, alternating with the milk. Beat until smooth.
  10. Stir in the vanilla extract. Add more milk if the frosting is too thick, or more powdered sugar if it is too thin.
  11. Once the cakes are completely cool, frost and serve.

Notes

  • Using hot coffee instead of hot water deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
  • Buttermilk can be substituted with regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice; let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • This batter works well for cupcakes; bake for 18 to 22 minutes.

Nutrition

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