Ingredients:

  • 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup (85g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Prepare cake pans by greasing and lining with parchment paper.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
  5. Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  6. Stir in boiling water carefully; batter will be thin.
  7. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
  9. Prepare frosting: Beat softened butter, then gradually add cocoa powder and powdered sugar, alternating with milk and vanilla until fluffy.
  10. Assemble the cake by placing one layer on a serving plate, frosting it, adding the second layer, then frosting the top and sides.