Looking for more delicious cake recipes? Make a Salted Caramel Pudding Cake or a Lemon Raspberry Glazed Bundt Cake!
NEVER MISS A POST! FOLLOW ME ON:
FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
I’ve modified this recipe several times over the years to achieve the perfect flavour and an ideal texture that stands up to buttery frosting. The original recipe was passed on from a friend and you can find it here. The buttercream recipe is my own.Chocolate Layer Cake Ingredients
For the cake:- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 cup cocoa powder (dutch processed is best)
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 1/4 cups low-fat buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2-3 tsp butter
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder (dutch processed is best)
- 3 tbsp whole milk
Looking for more chocolate dessert recipes? Make some Maltesers Chocolate Chip Cookies or Healthier Double Chocolate Baked Donuts!
NEVER MISS A POST! FOLLOW ME ON:
FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
Chocolate Layer Cake
Moist chocolate cake covered with fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting. This classic dessert recipe will become your favorite chocolate cake for any occasion!
Print
Pin
Rate
Servings: 16
Calories: 441kcal
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 cup cocoa powder dutch processed is best
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 1/4 cups low-fat buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup boiling water
For preparing the Cake Pans:
- 2-3 tsp butter
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar icing sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder dutch processed is best
- 3 tbsp whole milk
Instructions
Chocolate Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by greasing them well with 2-3 tsp butter and dust them with 2 tbsp of flour. Tap out as much of the excess flour as possible; you only want a very thin layer to coat the inside of the cake pans so it disappears as the cakes bake.
- After the cake pans are greased and floured, measure the flour, white sugar, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and sea salt into a large mixing bowl through a sieve or flour sifter. This will help prevent lumps in the dry ingredients.
- Once you've pushed the dry ingredients through the sieve, give the mixture a stir with a wire whisk to combine all the ingredients.
- To a separate bowl, add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla and whisk them together with a fork.
- Set your kettle to boil some water. You'll need 1 cup.
- Dump the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir them together with a rubber spatula to combine. The batter will appear rough and scraggly; this is expected.
- Switch to a wire whisk and very slowly pour 1 cup of boiling water into the cake batter. Add 1/4 cup of the boiling water first, whisk it in well, and then slowly add the rest. This will bring the temperature of the mixture up slowly and prevent any clumps of batter from being "cooked" by the heat of the water. Be sure to whisk the mixture gently and constantly as you add the water.
- Pour the cake batter evenly into your prepared 9-inch cake pans.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30-35 minutes. After 30 minutes, if the cakes appear to be done, test the middle of one with a toothpick. If a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out pretty much clean, the cakes are done.
- Remove pans from the oven and allow cakes to cool in their pan for at least an hour before removing. This will help the cakes pull away from the sides of the pan naturally and they'll be much easier to get out!
- After they've cooled significantly, place a wire rack upside down over the top of each cake pan. Invert the cake pan and the cakes should slip right out, upside down, onto the wire racks. Leave them like this to cool completely.
- Once the cakes have cooled completely to room temperature, wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for at least 2 hours before frosting.
Buttercream Frosting:
- Add the butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat the butter on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes or until it's smooth and creamy.
- Add the icing sugar and cocoa powder to the butter through a sieve or flour sifter to remove any lumps. Beat the icing sugar and cocoa powder into the butter on medium-high speed until the mixture starts to come together (it will look lumpy and a bit powdery). Add the milk and continue to beat until it looks fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Once the cakes have refrigerated for a few hours (or overnight), remove them from the fridge and remove the plastic wrap.
Assembling the Cake:
- Slide one of the cakes onto a plate (or a cake board if you want to get fancy...but fancy isn't really what this cake is about!), making sure the cake is right-side-up. This means the bottom will be flat and the top will be slightly rounded. Since this is not one of those fancy-schmansy cakes, we're not going to bother levelling it or anything like that. It's supposed to look rustic and homemade...that's what's so beautiful about baking for someone you love.
- Place a large dollop of frosting on top, in the middle of the cake using an offset spatula (a butter knife also works well in a pinch!). Carefully spread the frosting outward until it reaches the sides of the cake. Be aware of the motions you're using: don't push and then pull the frosting. This will cause crumbs on the top of the cake to lift up and become mixed in with the frosting. This is not a good look! Just be careful and spread the frosting outward and downward.
- Once the top is covered, place the second cake on top of the first, but upside down (flat side up).
- Place a large dollop of frosting in the middle but don't spread it yet! You'll save it for the end after you frost the sides of the cake.
- Using your offset spatula, spread a large amount of frosting around the sides of the cake, making sure to fill in any holes or cracks, especially the large gap between the layers.
- Once the sides are covered, spread the frosting on top of the cake, creating whatever kind of rustic pattern you like.
- I chose to create small, natural-looking swirls with the same offset spatula I used to frost the cake. Carry this pattern down the sides of the cake and when you're satisfied with the way it looks, you're done!
Notes
It's a good idea to refrigerate the cake again for at least an hour before you serve it. This will make it much easier to cut evenly and it will help the frosting to set.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 441kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 228mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 413IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @busybakerblog or tag #busybaker!
ltrans2 says
Would you recommend serving this cake at room temperature or is it soft and moist straight from the fridge?
Chrissie says
Great question! I like to let it sit for just a few minutes (3-5 minutes) before cutting, but it is quite soft and moist even after it's been chilled.
ltrans2 says
Thanks! I tried it and she put it back in the fridge but it was just as moist afterwards! This has become my go-to chocolate cake recipe! So delicious!
Chrissie says
That's great! So glad you enjoyed it!
Zoe Peate says
Looks delicious, and after walking 800km I wouldn't feel one bit guilty about devouring it 🙂
Chrissie says
Thanks! And yes, I don't think he experienced any guilt!!!
Kate Wilkinson says
Oh my, that does look delicious!
Chrissie says
Thank you!!
musingmar says
That's one beautiful cake! And congratulations to your Dad!
Chrissie says
Thanks so much! And I'll pass on the congratulations 🙂
Pie Rivera says
Chrissie, your dad is so blessed to have you! You're an angel for making his favorites! This chocolate cake looks really good, I could almost taste the rich ganache! I always adore chocolates and strawberries, I think they are perfect together! awesome photos, as always 🙂
Chrissie says
Thanks so much!
Jeff the Chef says
This looks really good. I'm a chocolate cake aficionado; I'll definitely be trying this.
Chrissie says
You'll love it! The boiling water makes ALL the difference!! 🙂
Caroline says
Can you use this recipe for a tiered cake??
Chrissie says
I’d hesitate to recommend this cake for a tiered cake as it’s a very soft chocolate cake. If you do choose to make a tiered cake with this recipe, I’d recommend chilling the cake well before frosting and using wooden dowels and cake boards to provide stability.
Catherine Wilding says
Made it. A rich, chocolatey, not too sweet cake. Perfect for my son’s birthday. Thanks
The Busy Baker says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!