Description
A decadent and moist chocolate layer cake filled with rich chocolate buttercream and topped with glossy chocolate ganache, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee (or hot water)
- 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
- ½ cup heavy cream (for ganache)
- Chocolate curls (for decoration)
- Chocolate chunks (for decoration)
- Mini chocolate chips (for decoration)
- Chocolate shavings (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease three 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Whisk until everything is evenly combined.
- Add eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla.
- Beat until smooth.
- Slowly pour in the hot coffee while mixing.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
- Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes inside the pans.
- Transfer to wire racks and cool completely.
- Beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- Add heavy cream, vanilla, and salt, then beat for another 4–5 minutes until silky smooth.
- For ganache, heat the heavy cream until steaming, pour over chocolate chips, and stir until glossy.
- Assemble the cake by layering and frosting with chocolate buttercream, and optional ganache on top.
- Decorate with chocolate curls, chunks, or shavings.
Notes
Cool the cake completely before frosting. Use room-temperature ingredients for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chocolate cake, layer cake, dessert, birthday cake