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The Best Chocolate Cake. Ever.

Recipe makes three 6-inch round cakes. You can also make 2 (8 or 9-inch round) cakes or a sheet cake. You can make this cake, by hand, with one bowl, or you can use your stand mixer.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate layer cake, dessert, homemade chocolate cake
Servings: 6 people
Author: Hip Foodie Mom

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white granulated sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups cake or all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cups unsweetened natural cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup brewed coffee*
  • your fave strawberry preserves or jam
  • chocolate frosting homemade or store bought
  • chocolate covered strawberries optional

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line 3 - 6" round cake pans with parchment paper. Spray with non-stick baking spray, or grease with butter. Set aside.
  • Using a large mixing bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add in the lightly beaten eggs and mix together again. Pour in the oil, the milk and the slightly cooled brewed coffee and mix together until just combined. Your cake batter will be quite liquidy.
  • Pour the batter evenly into the three pans and bake for about 30 - 35 minutes, or until a tester inserted comes out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool for about 20 to 30 minutes before removing from their pans.
  • If making a layer cake and you are not a cake pro, I would recommend freezing your cakes for a few hours or overnight so they are easier to work with and frost.
  • When ready, lay down the first layer, top with your favorite strawberry preserves (if desired) or frost each layer on top with the frosting, using an offset spatula, and all around the cake. If wanting a super clean look, do a crumb coat first! See below. Top with the chocolate covered strawberries or just strawberries (be sure to pat completely dry with paper towels). Slice, serve and enjoy!

Notes

*If you don't want to add coffee, use hot water instead. 
 
Crumb Coat:
Read this or watch this