Chocolate Birthday Cake

🧂 Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

  (spoon and leveled)
• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ tablespoon espresso powder

  (optional)
• 1 cup milk

  (warmed to room temperature)
• ½ cup coconut oil

  (or your preferred vegetable oil, or melted butter)
• 2 large eggs

  (beaten, at room temperature)
• 3 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup water

  (boiling)
• 3 cups confectioners sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup butter

  (softened, at room temperature)
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoon heavy cream

Instructions

• 1 Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease 6-inch round cake pans or
  a 9x13 pan.
• 2 Mix all of your dry ingredients thoroughly (use a whisk to combine, or sift the
  cocoa powder after measuring). For the best chocolate flavor, do include the
  optional espresso powder or switch your unsweetened cocoa powder out for Dutch
  process cocoa.
• 3 Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients and add the liquid
  ingredients, including: beaten eggs, milk, coconut or vegetable oil, vanilla
  extract, then mix to combine.
• 4 Add 1 cup boiling water after your batter is combined. Mix until smooth and
  transfer to your cake pans or 9x13 pan.
• 5 Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes for 6-inch rounds
  or 30-35 minutes for a 9x13 pan. Your cake is ready when a toothpick inserted
  into the center comes out clean.
• 6 In a mixing bowl, whisk or sift together your powdered sugar and cocoa powder
  (this removes any lumps) and set it aside.
• 7 In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat the butter for 1 full minute until it is
  nice and creamy.
• 8 Add in the vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
• 9 While mixing at medium speed, slowly add in the powdered sugar and cocoa mixture
  using 1 cup increments.
• 10 Drizzle with heavy cream as needed if your frosting begins to dry out. Continue
  mixing until you have incorporated all of the powdered sugar and cocoa powder,
  making sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• 11 Increase the speed to high and allow it to beat the frosting for 1-2 minutes, or
  until it is creamy and smooth.
• 12 Once the cake has cooled completely, you can add the frosting and serve.

Nutrition Info