Chocolate cake

A classic chocolate cake is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for any celebration or just because. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for a rich, moist chocolate cake:

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk (or 2% milk)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup whole milk (or heavy cream)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

Make the Cake:

1. Preheat Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or one 13x9-inch pan).

2. Mix Dry Ingredients:

   • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients:

   • In another bowl, beat the eggs, then add the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix well.

4. Combine Mixtures:

   • Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

5. Add Boiling Water:

   • Stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin, but that's okay. It helps create a moist cake.

6. Bake:

   • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
   • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool:

   • Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Frosting:

1. Beat Butter:

   • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until creamy.

2. Add Cocoa Powder and Sugar:

   • Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, beating on low speed until combined.

3. Add Milk and Vanilla:

   • Add the milk (or heavy cream), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Adjust consistency with more milk or powdered sugar if needed.

Assemble the Cake:

1. Level Cakes (Optional):

   • If necessary, level the cakes using a serrated knife so they stack evenly.

2. Frost:

   • Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top.
   • Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.

3. Decorate:

   • Decorate as desired. You can add sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or fruit for extra flair.

Tips:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for the best results.
• Cake Flour Option: For a lighter texture, you can use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour.
• Flavor Variations: Add a teaspoon of coffee granules to the batter to enhance the chocolate flavor or mix in some chocolate chips for added texture.

Enjoy your homemade chocolate cake—perfectly moist, rich, and delicious!