There’s nothing quite like a homemade chocolate cake to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your friends and family. Whether it's for a birthday, a celebration, or just because you deserve a treat, making a chocolate cake from scratch can be a rewarding and fun experience. Follow this step-by-step guide to create a moist, rich, and decadent chocolate cake that will leave everyone asking for more.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 and 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) boiling water

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3 and 1/2 cups (440g) powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pans

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. You can also line the bottoms with parchment paper for easier removal.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting helps to remove any lumps and ensures that the ingredients are well combined.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

1. In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense.
2. Add the boiling water to the batter and mix on low speed until well combined. The batter will be thin, but this is what makes the cake moist and tender.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

1. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
2. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter on high speed until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt, mixing on low speed until well combined.
3. Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream, then increase the mixer speed to high and beat for 3 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Step 7: Assemble the Cake

1. Once the cakes are completely cool, level the tops if necessary.
2. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top.
3. Place the second cake layer on top and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
4. For an extra touch, you can decorate with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or fresh berries.

Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your eggs and milk are at room temperature to ensure they mix more evenly into the batter.
• Measure Accurately: Use a kitchen scale for the most accurate measurements, especially for the flour and cocoa powder.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can result in a dense and tough cake. Mix until just combined for the best texture.
• Cool Completely: Make sure the cake layers are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.

Conclusion

Making a chocolate cake from scratch is easier than you might think, and the results are well worth the effort. With its rich flavor and moist texture, this chocolate cake is perfect for any occasion. Enjoy baking and, most importantly, eating your delicious homemade chocolate cake!