This Is The Only Guide You Need To Make A Decadent Chocolate Cake

Chocolate cakes are a classic for a reason. They are soft, moist and stuffed with the decadence of chocolate. Be it a birthday, anniversary, or some other celebration, or even just a slow Sunday afternoon, baking a chocolate cake can make everything better. There are plenty of recipes out there but this one gets into the details and guides you through the entire process of making an easy cake recipe at home. 

Ingredients:

For the cake:

• 219 gm all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 62 gm unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 350 gm granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons espresso powder
• 120 ml vegetable oil (or canola oil or melted coconut oil)
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 240 ml buttermilk, at room temperature
• 240 ml freshly brewed strong hot coffee (regular or decaf)

For the chocolate buttercream:

• 282 gm unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 420 gm confectioners’ sugar
• 65 gm unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or dutch process)
• 75 ml heavy cream (or half-and-half or milk), at room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• optional for decoration: semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F or 177°C.
• Grease two cake pans. Set aside.
• In a bowl, add the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder. Mix well. Set aside.
• In another bowl, add the oil, eggs, and vanilla and beat with a handheld mixer. Whisk until fully mixed. Then add the buttermilk and mix until combined.
• Now, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, a little bit at a time. Mix well and then pour in more, continuing in this way till it's all fully incorporated.
• Then add the hot coffee to the mix and whisk until the batter is fully combined.
• Divide the batter between the 2 pans and bake for about 25 minutes. To check if it's done, put a toothpick in the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cakes are done.
• Remove from the oven and set on a wire rack. Let it cool.
• In the meantime, make the frosting. In a bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Then add the sugar, cocoa powder, heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract and beat again. If the frosting is too thin then add more sugar or cocoa powder and more cream if the frosting is too thick.
• Level the cakes by cutting off the dome on top and making them flat. Use the crumble over ice cream. Place the first cake on the cake stand or serving plate. Evenly top with frosting. Then place the second cake on top and add the remaining frosting. Garnish with chocolate chips.
• Place in the fridge for 45 minutes.
• Then slice and serve. The cake already has chocolate chips on the top, so be mindful of what other toppings you want to add. You can serve the cake alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Leftover cake can be stored in the fridge for 5 days. 

Notes, tips and tricks:

• The cake batter can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. The buttercream frosting can be prepared 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. The baked cake can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Before using, thaw overnight in the fridge. Bring to room temperature and then serve cool.
• Instead of making two full-sized pans of cake, you can also use smaller, different-sized pans and create a multilayered cake. Or the batter can be used a little at a time and the rest can be stored in the freezer until further use.
• Ensure that all the ingredients, including the butter, eggs, and buttermilk, are at room temperature. This way, the batter will be able to mix together better and more evenly. 
• The reason for including the espresso powder and coffee in this recipe is not to give the cake a coffee flavor. It will work to make the chocolate flavor deeper and richer and stand out sharply. If you don't have espresso powder, you can just as easily use instant coffee powder. However, if you're not interested, you can skip the coffee, and just add hot water or hot tea instead.