🍫 The Ultimate Classic American Chocolate Cake

📝 Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

For the Chocolate Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼–½ cup heavy cream or milk (as needed)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Cake Pans

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  • Line the bottoms with parchment paper if desired.

2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3️⃣ Add Wet Ingredients

  • Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla to the dry ingredients.
  • Mix until smooth and well combined.

4️⃣ Add Boiling Water

  • Slowly pour in the boiling water while mixing.
  • The batter will be thin—this is normal and helps create a moist cake.

5️⃣ Bake

  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  • Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6️⃣ Cool

  • Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes.
  • Remove and cool completely on wire racks before frosting.

🍫 Make the Chocolate Frosting

7️⃣ Prepare Frosting

  • Beat the butter until creamy.
  • Add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla.
  • Beat well, adding cream or milk gradually until smooth and spreadable.

🎂 Assemble the Cake

8️⃣ Frost & Decorate

  • Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
  • Spread a thick layer of frosting on top.
  • Add the second layer and frost the top and sides.
  • Decorate with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or piped frosting if desired.

✨ Final Touch

Slice, serve, and enjoy a rich, moist, and classic American chocolate cake—perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or anytime chocolate cravings hit 🍰🍫

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

🍫 The Ultimate Classic American Chocolate Cake


  • Author: Shirley

Ingredients

Scale

📝 Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour

    • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar

    • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

    • 2 teaspoons baking powder

    • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

    • 1 teaspoon salt

    • 2 large eggs (room temperature)

    • 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)

    • ½ cup vegetable oil

    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    • 1 cup boiling water

For the Chocolate Frosting

    • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)

    • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar

    • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

    • ½ teaspoon salt

    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    • ¼½ cup heavy cream or milk (as needed)


Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Cake Pans

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  • Line the bottoms with parchment paper if desired.

2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3️⃣ Add Wet Ingredients

  • Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla to the dry ingredients.
  • Mix until smooth and well combined.

4️⃣ Add Boiling Water

  • Slowly pour in the boiling water while mixing.
  • The batter will be thin—this is normal and helps create a moist cake.

5️⃣ Bake

  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  • Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6️⃣ Cool

  • Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes.
  • Remove and cool completely on wire racks before frosting.

🍫 Make the Chocolate Frosting

7️⃣ Prepare Frosting

  • Beat the butter until creamy.
  • Add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla.
  • Beat well, adding cream or milk gradually until smooth and spreadable.

🎂 Assemble the Cake

8️⃣ Frost & Decorate

  • Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
  • Spread a thick layer of frosting on top.
  • Add the second layer and frost the top and sides.
  • Decorate with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or piped frosting if desired.

Readers Love these Recipes!

🍔 Introduction

Get ready for the ultimate comfort food mashup 😍Cheeseburger Stuffed Tater Tot Cones are crispy, golden on the outside, and packed with juicy beef, ...
Learn more

HOMEMADE COCA COLA RECIPE

There is something almost magical about hearing sugar crackle in a saucepan as it slowly turns deep, glossy, and fragrant. The aroma shifts from ...
Learn more

Chili Garlic Crisp

There is something almost irresistible about the moment hot oil meets fresh garlic. The kitchen fills with a deep, savory aroma, the garlic starts ...
Learn more