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A slice of chocolate cake with a strawberry on a plate.

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

Looking for the best chocolate cake recipe? This one never fails!

Course desserts
Cuisine American
Keyword best chocolate cake recipe, chocolate cake
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Additional Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 13 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Author momma lew

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 2½ cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 tsp real vanilla extract
  • 3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2¼ cup boiling water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 
  2. Grease and flour 3 8” round cake pans, then line bottom with round parchment paper. Set aside.
  3. Cream the butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until well blended.
  5. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  6. Mix the cocoa powder and boiling water in a medium bowl until well combined and no lumps remain.
  7. Alternating between the two, slowly add dry ingredients and chocolate mixture to the bowl with the butter and sugar.
  8. Mix on low speed to incorporate ingredients.
  9. Divide the cake batter evenly between the three cake pans and place in the pre-heated oven.
  10. Bake 22-28 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
  11. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for approximately 10 minutes before transferring the cakes from the pans to a wire rack to cool completely, approximately 10-15 more minutes.
  12. Cakes should no longer be warm to the touch before frosting.

  13. Make the buttercream. To assemble the cake, place the first layer top-side down on a cake plate.

  14. Add 1/3 of the frosting to the top of the cake layer and spread it out evenly.

  15. Take the second layer and level off the rounded top with a knife or cake leveler. Place the second layer on top of the first layer, top-side down.
  16. Add frosting to this layer and spread out evenly.
  17. Repeat this with the 3rd layer, and spread the remaining frosting out on the top layer.
  18. Slice and serve your chocolate cake immediately.

Recipe Notes

To store chocolate cake, keep it covered at room temperature for up to 3 days if it’s frosted with buttercream or unfrosted. For longer storage, refrigerate it tightly covered for up to a week. You can also freeze it (wrapped well) for up to 3 months—just thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.