Delicious Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup whole milk (plus more if needed)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

For the Cake:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add Wet Ingredients:
   Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix on medium speed until smooth and well combined.
4. Add Boiling Water:
   Stir in the boiling water carefully. The batter will be thin, but this is normal—it creates a moist cake.
5. Bake:
   Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Frosting:

1. Mix the Frosting:
   In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy. Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, beating until combined.
   Slowly add the milk and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and fluffy. Adjust the consistency with more milk if needed.
2. Frost the Cake:
   Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting over the top. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides.

Optional Decorations:

• Sprinkle with chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips.
• Add fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate ganache.

This chocolate cake is rich, moist, and absolutely decadent—a guaranteed hit! 🍫🎂