The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
Butter and flour for coating and dusting the cake pans
3 cups (450 grams) all-purpose flour
3 cups (650 grams) granulated sugar
1½ cups (155 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon (17 grams) baking soda
1½ teaspoons (8 grams) baking powder
1½ teaspoons (11 grams) salt
4 large eggs
1½ cups (350 ml) buttermilk
1½ cups (350 ml) warm water
½ cup (115 ml) vegetable oil
2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting:
1½ cups (340 grams) butter, softened
8 oz (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
1½ cups (155 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
3 teaspoons (15 ml) vanilla extract
7-8 cups (875-1000 grams) powdered sugar
About ¼ cup (60 ml) milk (as needed)
Instructions
For the Cake:
Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C).
Butter three 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pans and dust them with flour, tapping out the excess.
Prepare Dry Ingredients:
In a stand mixer bowl, mix together 3 cups of flour, 3 cups of sugar, 1½ cups of cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1½ teaspoons of baking powder, and 1½ teaspoons of salt. Use a low speed until the ingredients are well combined.
Add Wet Ingredients:
Add 4 large eggs, 1½ cups of buttermilk, 1½ cups of warm water, ½ cup of vegetable oil, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
Beat on medium speed until the batter is smooth. This should take about 2 minutes.
Divide and Bake:
Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Each pan should hold just over 3 cups of batter.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
Cool the Cake
Allow the cakes to cool in their pans on wire racks for 15 minutes.
Then, turn the cakes out onto the racks and let them cool completely.
Frosting and Assembly:
Once the cakes are completely cool, frost them with your favorite frosting (the Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting recipe below is recommended).
For the Chocolate Cream Cheese
Buttercream Frosting:
Beat Butter and Cream Cheese:
In a large bowl, beat together 1½ cups of softened butter and 8 oz of softened cream cheese until fluffy. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for best results.
Add Cocoa and Vanilla:
Add 1½ cups of cocoa powder and 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the mixture.
Beat until fully combined.
Incorporate Powdered Sugar:
Gradually beat in 7-8 cups of powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time.
Add about ¼ cup of milk as needed to reach a spreadable consistency. The frosting should be thick and will thicken even more if refrigerated.
Frost the Cake:
Use the prepared frosting to frost the cooled cakes.
Enjoy your delicious chocolate cake!
Notes:
The quality of the cocoa powder will greatly affect the taste of the cake. For a richer flavor, use a high-quality cocoa powder.
If you want a darker frosting, use extra dark cocoa powder. This will result in a nearly black frosting.
Enjoy making and eating the most amazing chocolate cake at home!
