Description
Celebrate a milestone with this decadent 18th Birthday Chocolate Cake! This recipe yields a rich, moist chocolate cake perfect for a special occasion. It’s frosted with a creamy chocolate buttercream and can be decorated to your heart’s content.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Gradually add boiling water, mixing until combined. The batter will be thin.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with milk, until combined.
- Stir in vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 3-5 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Level the cakes with a serrated knife, if necessary.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and frost with a generous layer of frosting. Top with the second cake layer.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Decorate as desired.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use dark cocoa powder.
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for the frosting.
- Decorate with your favorite sprinkles, candies, or chocolate shavings.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 50g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Protein: 5g