Chocolate Cake Recipe With Chocolate Frosting
Learn how to make the best chocolate cake recipe from scratch with rich chocolate buttercream frosting. This moist, bakery-style chocolate layer cake is easy to make, incredibly soft, and packed with deep chocolate flavor.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot brewed coffee
Chocolate Buttercream
- 2 cups unsalted butter softened, room temperature
- 1¼ cup cocoa powder
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
For The Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350℉. Position your rack in the center. Spray and line two 9" baking pans. Seta side.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix to combine, but try not to overmix.
- Slowly pour hot brewed coffee into the batter. The batter will thin out.
- Divide the batter evenly between pans. Tap the pans gently to remove the air bubbles.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes. The cake is done when the center bounces back, the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, and the internal temperature reaches 205℉.
- Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 15 minutes before removing.
- Cool completely before frosting.
Use the spoon and level method. Never scoop and pour directly from the bag.
For The Frosting
- Beat butter for 4–5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add cocoa powder gradually. Beat until fully incorporated.
- Add powdered sugar one cup at a time. Alternate with cream.
- Add vanilla and salt. Beat for another 3–5 minutes. The frosting should become silky and fluffy.
Assemble The Cake
- Level cake layers if necessary.
- Place first layer on a serving plate.
- Spread an even layer of frosting on top.
- Add second cake layer.
- Apply the crumb coat around the whole cake and chill for 20 minutes.
- Use remaining frosting to frost the cake. Enjoy!