Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat two 8 inch round cake pans with cooking spray, or grease and flour the pans tapping out the excess flour. Set the prepared pans aside.
In a large bowl and using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cake mix, pudding mix, water, oil and eggs on medium speed for 2-3 minutes or until well blended. Scrape the sides of the well and mix again until all the ingredients are incorporated.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans, filling each one approximately 3/4 full.
Place the pans in the preheated oven on middle rack. Bake the cakes for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the pans from the oven and place on wire cooling racks for 25-30 minutes.
Run a knife around the edges of the cakes, flip the pans over and gently extract the cakes.
Return the cakes to the wire racks and finish cooling completely before frosting and decorating.
Meanwhile, make one batch of buttercream frosting.