Desserts & Bakes Free recipe

Chocolate Layer Cake

This Chocolate Layer Cake is a tall, rich chocolate layer cake with fudge frosting. It bakes up reliably as long as the oven is fully preheated before the pan goes in.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 65 min Total: 90 min

90Minutes

12Servings

4.9Rating

AdvancedLevel

Why you'll love this recipe

The components can be made ahead and reheated without losing quality.
Scales up easily for a crowd -- just multiply the ingredients.
Leftovers hold up well for lunch the next day.

Ingredients

Makes 12 servings

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup oil
1 cup hot coffee
2 tsp vanilla
chocolate buttercream frosting

Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

285Calories

3gFat

60gCarbs

5gProtein

Estimated from the ingredients above; actual values vary by brand and exact measurements.

Method

Step 1
Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter two 9-inch round pans.
Step 2
Whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3
Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla and beat 2 minutes.
Step 4
Carefully stir in the hot coffee - the batter will be thin, and that is correct (it makes a moist cake).
Step 5
Divide between the pans and bake 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
Step 6
Spread chocolate frosting between the layers and over the whole cake, then slice.

Cook's tips

Let it cool as directed before slicing -- cutting in too early makes for a messier, less set result.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving -- salt levels vary a lot between brands of broth, sauce, and canned goods.

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