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Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

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You haven’t had a dessert until you’ve used this Best Chocolate Cake Recipe…so much chocolate…so many layers….so little time to yourself to enjoy it before everyone else dives in and takes a piece! Enjoy this homemade cake – it really is one of the bests!  And I have even included a super easy frosting.

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chocolate-layer-cake-recipe-pinterest-my-home-and-travels

 

I’m a huge fan of chocolate cakes. I’ve met very few in my life that I didn’t like and I hardly ever say no to a slice. But this cake changed my view on everything that I thought I knew about chocolate cakes. So much so, that it’s spoiled me for the rest of my life.

Each layer of this cake is moist, delicious, and perfected with homemade frosting…I literally savor every bite of this cake and always kick myself for waiting so long to make it in the first place. 

If you’re ready for a truly incredible chocolate layer cake recipe with homemade frosting, get ready to fall in love. 

Can you prep any of this cake ahead of time?

You sure can! If you know that you’re going to be running low on time, whip up the cakes and bake them the night before. That way, they’ll be cooked and cooled down for the next day and all you have to worry about is frosting and enjoying. You could even freeze these layers.  After cooling, wrap each layer in two layers of plastic wrap and freeze flat.  Thaw on the counter before frosting.

How do you store leftover chocolate cake?

The easiest way is to have a cake storage container and put it in the fridge. This will keep it at a good temperature and keep it as moist and flavorful for as long as possible. 

Have I tortured you long enough? It’s time to scroll down and get this delicious homemade chocolate cake recipe! 

Ingredients needed to make a Chocolate Layer Cake

Cake ingredients:

  • 1 C. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2½ C. granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp real vanilla extract
  • 3 C. all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 C unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2¼ C boiling water

Frosting ingredients:

  • 1 C unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ C cocoa powder
  • 16-oz. powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1-2 Tbsp whole milk or cream
  • 1 tsp real vanilla extract

Supplies needed:

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Mixer
  • Spatula
  • Round cake pans
  • Parchment Paper

How to Make a Chocolate Layer Cake 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 3 8″ round cake pans, then line bottom with round parchment paper. Set aside. 

Cream the butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl. Add in the eggs, one at a time, and vanilla and mix until well blended.

In a separate large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Mix the cocoa powder and boiling water in a medium bowl until well combined and no lumps remain. 

Alternating between the two, slowly add dry ingredients and chocolate mixture to the bowl with the butter and sugar. Mix on low speed to incorporate ingredients.

Divide the cake batter evenly between the three cake pans and place in the preheated oven. Bake 22-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. 

Remove from oven and set aside to cool for approximately 10 minutes before transferring the cakes from the pans to a wire rack to cool completely approximately 10-15 more minutes. (Cakes should no longer be warm to the touch before frosting). 

To assemble the cake, place the first layer top-side down on a cake plate. Add 1/3 of the frosting to the top of the cake layer and spread it out evenly. Take the second layer and level off the rounded top with a knife or cake leveler. Place the second layer on top of the first layer, top-side down. Add frosting to this layer and spread out evenly. Repeat this with the 3rd layer, and spread the remaining frosting out on the top layer. Slice and serve immediately. Enjoy! 

Tip for assembling the cake:

For the same size/thickness of layers, use a serrated knife or cake leveler to remove the rounded top on all layers.

chocolate-layer-cake-recipe-pinterest-my-home-and-travels cut layer

How to make Homemade Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

In a large mixing bowl,  Cream the butter with a mixer on med-high speed.

Then, on low speed, add cocoa powder until well blended.

Add powdered sugar a little at a time until all the sugar is combined

Next, add vanilla.

Once done, add milk a little at a time to reach desired consistency. (You may use a little less or little more milk depending on humidity.) 

Doesn’t this frosting alone look just delicious?  I don’t need cake if I have a few bites of a great frosting. 

Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 – 4 minutes.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of this chocolate cake recipe! It’s such a great flavor and so much fun to make! 

Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

This is an amazing chocolate layer cake!

Ingredients

  • Cake ingredients:
  • 1 C. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2½ C. granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp real vanilla extract
  • 3 C. all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 C unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2¼ C boiling water
  • Frosting ingredients:
  • 1 C unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ C cocoa powder
  • 16-oz. powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1-2 Tbsp whole milk or cream
  • 1 tsp real vanilla extract
  • Supplies needed:
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Mixer
  • Spatula
  • Round cake pans
  • Parchment Paper

Instructions

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 3 8" round cake pans, then line bottom with round parchment paper. Set aside. 

    Cream the butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl. Add in the eggs, one at a time, and vanilla and mix until well blended.

    In a separate large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

    Mix the cocoa powder and boiling water in a medium bowl until well combined and no lumps remain. 

    Alternating between the two, slowly add dry ingredients and chocolate mixture to the bowl with the butter and sugar. Mix on low speed to incorporate ingredients.

    Divide the cake batter evenly between the three cake pans and place in the preheated oven. Bake 22-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. 

    Remove from oven and set aside to cool for approximately 10 minutes before transferring the cakes from the pans to a wire rack to cool completely approximately 10-15 more minutes. (Cakes should no longer be warm to the touch before frosting). 

    To assemble the cake, place the first layer top-side down on a cake plate. Add 1/3 of the frosting to the top of the cake layer and spread it out evenly. Take the second layer and level off the rounded top with a knife or cake leveler. Place the second layer on top of the first layer, top-side down. Add frosting to this layer and spread out evenly. Repeat this with the 3rd layer, and spread the remaining frosting out on the top layer. Slice and serve immediately. Enjoy! 

    Tip for assembling the cake:

    For the same size/thickness of layers, use a serrated knife or cake leveler to remove the rounded top on all layers.

    How to make Homemade Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

    In a large mixing bowl,  Cream the butter with a mixer on med-high speed.

    Then, on low speed, add cocoa powder until well blended.

    Add powdered sugar a little at a time until all the sugar is combined

    Next, add vanilla.

    Once done, add milk a little at a time to reach desired consistency. (You may use a little less or little more milk depending on humidity.) 

    Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 - 4 minutes.


Like this cake recipe? Check these out, too! 

 

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I’ve included affiliate links to Amazon for you to find some products easier.  I may receive a small commission, but the price is the same for you.  It just helps my blog out.

Happy Travels, 

Rosemary

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