Chocolate Cake

A rich and moist chocolate cake with a soft, tender crumb, layered with smooth chocolate buttercream for a classic, bakery-style cake you can easily make at home.

Prep Time25

Cook Time30

Keyword: chocolate cake, chocolate cake recipe

Servings: 8-inch layers

Calories: 510kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup whole milk room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup hot water or hot coffee for deeper flavor

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
Mix in vanilla.
Mix in sour cream until smooth.
Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk:
dry > milk > dry > milk > dry
Mix just until combined.
Slowly mix in hot water (or coffee). Batter will be thin — that’s normal.
Divide batter evenly between pans.
Bake for 28–32 minutes, until: centers are set and toothpick comes out clean
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Nutrition