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The Ultimate Ultra Moist Chocolate Layer Cake with Rich Chocolate Buttercream

Close-up of a thick slice of moist chocolate cake layered with dark chocolate frosting.
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This recipe yields a deeply flavored, tender chocolate layer cake that stays moist. It uses coffee to deepen the chocolate taste and buttermilk for a soft crumb.

Ingredients

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  • 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
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  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. The batter will be thick.
  4. Carefully stir in the hot coffee until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.
  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.
  8. To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, beating until combined.
  9. Add the vanilla extract and milk or cream. Beat on high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add more milk if needed to reach a spreadable consistency.
  10. Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread about one-third of the frosting over the top. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake.

Notes

  • Using room temperature buttermilk and eggs helps create a more uniform batter structure.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to maintain a tender crumb.
  • Brewing the coffee strong will result in a deeper chocolate flavor in the final cake.

Nutrition

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