Classic Chocolate Cake

Classic Chocolate Cake
Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 35 mins Total Time: 65 mins Serves: 12

A rich, moist chocolate cake with smooth chocolate ganache that's perfect for any celebration or when you're craving something decadently chocolate.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot coffee

For the Ganache:

  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Mix well with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
  4. Stir in hot coffee. The batter will be very thin.
  5. Pour batter into prepared pans.
  6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  7. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

For the Ganache:

  1. Place chocolate chips in a heat-safe bowl.
  2. Heat heavy cream until just simmering (do not boil).
  3. Pour hot cream over chocolate chips and let stand for 5 minutes.
  4. Stir until smooth, then add vanilla.
  5. Let cool until spreadable, then frost the cake.

Tips

  • The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor but doesn't make the cake taste like coffee.
  • Room temperature ingredients will give you the best results.
  • Don't overbake - the cake should still be moist when a toothpick comes out clean.