THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE

I am so excited to be sending some happy birthday wishes to one incredible lady and blogger – Aubrey from Real Housemoms.  Today a bunch of us are getting together to help her celebrate by throwing her a virtual birthday party!

Since we know that Aubrey is a chocoholic (just poke around her site for a bit), I’m sharing this recipe for the BEST chocolate cake with buttercream frosting.

This is no cake-from-a-box concoction (although I’m not ashamed to admit that I use them).  This is the real McCoy.  Homemade.  From scratch.  With love.  And, so is the frosting.

The best chocolate cake recipe. Ever? There are plenty of claims for the best chocolate cake recipe. I get that. But with one bite of this decadent, moist chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, every single person around the table commented that this was the best chocolate cake they’d ever tasted.

So as for my house, this chocolate cake recipe now holds that honor.

As the compliments continued, I didn’t begin to tell them how easy it was to make.

In all honesty, it is probably one of the easiest cakes I’ve made in a long time, really, but I just smiled and thanked them.

As we continued on gobbling up the cake, drinking our coffee or iced cold milk, the compliments just kept coming.

Then the requests for the recipe started.

That’s generally when you know that folks really like what you’ve made if they ask for the recipe and tell you for what event they plan to serve it.

As a cook, that really is one of the highest compliments you can receive – well, at least in my book.

This is a classic buttercream frosting.  I love it because I can add any flavorings or colors that I want.

Once you see how easy this cake is, you’ll think twice about using boxed cake mixes or  canned frosting.

Everyone needs a basic chocolate cake recipe.  This is definitely a recipe you want to book mark, print out, pin and save for your next special occasion.

So Aubrey, I hope you’re enjoying lots of family and fun today.  And, of course, a big piece of cake!  Happy birthday!

Ingredients

• The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake
• butter and flour for coating and dusting the cake pan
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
• 1 1/2 cups butter softened
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 7-8 cups powdered sugar
• about 1/4 cup milk as needed

Instructions

1. The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter three 9-inch cake rounds. Dust with flour and tap out the excess.
3. Mix together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a stand mixer using a low speed until combined.
4. Add eggs, buttermilk, warm water, oil, and vanilla. Beat on a medium speed until smooth. This should take just a couple of minutes.
5. Divide batter among the three pans. I found that it took just over 3 cups of the batter to divide it evenly.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool on wire racks for 15 minutes and then turn out the cakes onto the racks and allow to cool completely.
8. Frost with your favorite frosting and enjoy!
9. Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
10. In a large bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for best results
11. Add in cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Beat until combined.
12. Beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Add milk as necessary to make a spreadable consistency. The frosting should be very thick and will thicken even more if refrigerated.