Jul 14 2026

Chocolate Cake Recipe

Time2h
Serves12

Five-layer chocolate cake, almost as good as Grandma's.

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Ingredients

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Cake Layers

Method

Cake Preparation

  1. 1

    Preheat the Oven

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour five 9-inch round cake pans.

  2. 2

    Mix Dry Ingredients

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until well combined.

  3. 3

    Mix Wet Ingredients

    In another bowl, beat the eggs and then add the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix well until combined.

  4. 4

    Combine Mixtures

    Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Slowly stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth.

  5. 5

    Bake the Cake Layers

    Pour equal amounts of batter into each of the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  6. 6

    Cool the Layers

    Remove the cake layers from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

Frosting Preparation

  1. 7

    Make the Frosting

    In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add the cocoa powder and powdered sugar, alternating with the milk. Add the vanilla extract and mix until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Assembling the Cake

  1. 8

    Layer the Cake

    Once the cake layers are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top. Repeat with the remaining layers, stacking them and frosting the top and sides of the cake.

  2. 9

    Decorate the Cake

    Top the cake with chocolate shavings and fresh berries if desired.

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