Chocolate cake is a favorite dessert for many people. It’s rich, delicious, and perfect for any celebration or just a sweet treat at home.

Making a chocolate cake from scratch is easier than you might think! Here’s a simple recipe that anyone can follow.

Ingredients

To bake a tasty chocolate cake, you will need the following ingredients:

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (this gives the cake its chocolate flavor)

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole milk

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (this keeps the cake moist)

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for flavor)

• 1 cup boiling water (this helps to make the cake very soft)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is important so that the cake bakes evenly.

2. Prepare Your Pans:

Grease and flour two round cake pans or one rectangular pan. This facilitates the cake's easy removal from the oven.

3. Mix Dry Ingredients:

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir them well so everything is combined.

4. Add Wet Ingredients:

Next, add the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. For around two minutes, mix everything on medium speed until it's smooth.

5. Add Boiling Water:

Carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin, but that’s okay! This will make your cake very moist.

6. Bake the Cake:

Pour the batter into your prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes for round cakes or 35-40 minutes for a rectangular cake. To check if it’s done, insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, your cake is ready!

7. Cool the Cakes:

Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Frosting Ideas

While your cake cools, you can prepare the frosting. A simple chocolate buttercream is made by mixing 1 cup of softened butter, 3-4 cups of powdered sugar, and 1/2 cup of cocoa powder with a little milk until smooth.

Enjoy Your Cake!

Once your cakes are cool and frosted, slice them up and enjoy! Chocolate cake is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just because you want something sweet. Happy baking!