Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the sugar, eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients to Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Add Boiling Water: Slowly pour in the boiling water (or hot coffee), and stir until the batter is smooth and well mixed. The batter will be thin, but that’s okay—this will ensure a moist cake.
Step 2: Bake the Cake
- Pour the Batter: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Make the Chocolate Frosting
- Cream the Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Cocoa Powder and Sugar: Gradually add the cocoa powder and powdered sugar, beating on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud.
- Add Vanilla and Cream: Pour in the vanilla extract and heavy cream, then beat the frosting until smooth and creamy. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more cream, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
- Frost the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a thick layer of frosting on top. Add the second cake layer and cover the top and sides with the remaining frosting.
- Decorate (Optional): Decorate with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or a dusting of cocoa powder for an extra-special finish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Decadent Chocolate Cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a perfect pairing. Enjoy it at room temperature for the ultimate indulgence!
Tips for the Best Chocolate Cake
- Use Hot Coffee: Swapping boiling water for hot coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a denser cake.
- Freeze Cake Layers: To make frosting easier, freeze the cake layers for 20-30 minutes before assembling the cake.
Why You’ll Love This Cake
This Chocolate Cake is incredibly easy to make yet delivers a professional bakery-style dessert. The combination of moist cake and luscious chocolate frosting makes it perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or simply indulging in a rich chocolate craving.
This cake guarantees every bite will leave you wanting more. Perfect for chocolate lovers and sure to become a family favorite!