Here's a simple recipe to prepare a delicious and moist chocolate cake:
Ingredients: *For the cake:* 1. *2 1/4 cups* all-purpose flour 2. *1 1/2 cups* granulated sugar 3. *2 teaspoons* baking powder 4. *1 teaspoon* salt 5. *1 cup* unsweetened cocoa powder 6. *1 cup* whole milk, at room temperature 7. *2 large eggs*, at room temperature 8. *1 teaspoon* vanilla extract
*For the chocolate buttercream frosting (optional):* 1. *1 cup* unsalted butter, at room temperature 2. *2 cups* confectioners' sugar 3. *1/2 cup* unsweetened cocoa powder 4. *2 tablespoons* milk or heavy cream
Instructions: *To prepare the cake:* 1. *Preheat*: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease two 9-inch (23cm) round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. 2. *Mix dry ingredients*: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 3. *Mix wet ingredients*: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and milk until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in vanilla extract. 4. *Combine wet and dry ingredients*: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking until smooth. 5. *Divide batter*: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. 6. *Bake*: Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 7. *Cool*: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
*To prepare the chocolate buttercream frosting (optional):* 1. *Beat butter*: Beat the butter until creamy. 2. *Add confectioners' sugar*: Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth. 3. *Add cocoa powder*: Beat in the cocoa powder. 4. *Add milk*: Beat in the milk until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
*To assemble the cake:* 1. *Place one cake layer*: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. 2. *Spread frosting*: Spread a layer of chocolate buttercream frosting on top of the cake layer. 3. *Place second cake layer*: Place the second cake layer on top of the frosting. 4. *Frost the top and sides*: Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.