Description
This homemade chocolate cake is a rich, moist, and flavorful dessert perfect for any occasion. Made with cocoa powder and a blend of baking powder and baking soda, this cake bakes to perfection with a tender crumb. The recipe is straightforward with common pantry ingredients, making it an ideal classic chocolate cake for beginners and experienced bakers alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and salt until fully combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: To the dry mixture, add the eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the batter becomes smooth and homogenous.
- Incorporate Boiling Water: Gradually add the boiling water to the batter while stirring constantly. The batter will be thin, but this is expected to yield a moist cake.
- Divide Batter and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Place them into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes to set. Then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting or serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs and milk for better mixing and texture.
- Ensure the cake pans are well greased and floured to prevent sticking.
- Batter will be thin after adding boiling water; this is normal and results in a moist cake.
- Check the cakes starting at 30 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- The cake can be layered with your favorite frosting once it is completely cooled.
