The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍫

This is the Best Chocolate Cake recipe! Moist homemade chocolate cake made completely from scratch. This is the kind of chocolate cake everyone should have in their recipe collection!

Ingredients:

• Chocolate Cake:

• 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour (measured correctly) 🌾
• 2 cups (414g) sugar 🍬
• 3/4 cup (85g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder 🍫
• 2 tsp baking soda 🥄
• 1 tsp salt 🧂
• 2 large eggs 🥚
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk 🥛
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil 🛢️
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla 🍦
• 1 cup (240ml) hot water 💧

• Chocolate Frosting:

• 2 1/2 cups (560g) unsalted butter, room temperature 🧈
• 9 cups (1035g) powdered sugar 🍬
• 2 tsp vanilla extract 🍦
• 1 cup (114g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder 🍫
• 4–5 tbsp (60-75ml) water/milk 🥛
• Pinch of salt 🧂

• Chocolate Ganache:

• 6 oz (1 cup | 169g) semi-sweet chocolate chips 🍫
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 🥛
• Sprinkles 🎉

Instructions:

1️⃣ Make the Cakes: Prepare three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper circles in the bottom, and grease the sides. Preheat oven to 300°F (148°C). Add all dry ingredients to a large bowl and whisk together. Add eggs, buttermilk, and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and mix well. Add vanilla to hot water and add to mixture. Mix well. Divide batter evenly between cake pans and bake for 30-33 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs. Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove to cooling racks to cool completely.

2️⃣ Make the Frosting: While cakes cool, beat the butter in a large mixing bowl until smooth. Slowly add 4 cups (460g) of powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add vanilla and half of the water or milk and mix until smooth. Add another 5 cups (575g) of powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add cocoa and mix until smooth. Add remaining water or milk until the frosting is the right consistency.

3️⃣ Assemble the Cake: Once cakes are cool, remove cake domes from top with a large serrated knife. Place first layer of cake on cake plate. Spread about 1 cup of frosting on top in an even layer. Add second layer of cake and add another cup of frosting on top in an even layer. Add final layer of cake on top and frost the outside of the cake.

4️⃣ Make the Chocolate Ganache: Add the chocolate chips to a medium-sized bowl. Heat the heavy whipping cream just until it begins to boil, then pour it over the chocolate chips. Allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth.

5️⃣ Finish Cake: Drizzle the chocolate ganache around the edge of the cake, then pour the remainder of the ganache on top of the cake and spread evenly. Allow the ganache to firm up a bit, then pipe the remainder of the frosting around the top edge of the cake and pipe a border around the bottom. Add a few sprinkles to the cake, if desired, then serve. Cake is best when well covered for 3-4 days.