Chocolate Birthday Cake

4.44 from 126 votes

Soft, moist, decadent chocolate cake covered with creamy, delicious chocolate frosting...that perfectly describes this chocolate birthday cake!

Prep Time15

Cook Time25

Total Time40

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 730kcal

Author: Jocelyn Delk Adams

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Cake:

2 large eggs room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup hot water
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter room temperature
6 cups confectioner's sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk
pinch of salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For the Cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray 3 9 inch round pans with non-stick baking spray.
Add eggs and sugar to bowl of your stand mixer and beat on high speed for 2-3 minutes.
While mixture beats, add cocoa powder, instant coffee powder and salt to hot water in a separate bowl. Slowly add this mixture to the eggs and sugar.
Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Turn the speed down to low then add in the dry ingredients in intervals. Next, add vegetable oil, buttermilk and vanilla extract to the mixer and beat until just combined. Batter will be sort of thin but this is normal.
Evenly divide cake batter to all three pans and bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow to rest for 10 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely.

For the Frosting:

Add butter, confectioner's sugar to bowl of mixer and mix on high speed. Then add in cocoa powder and continue mixing until smooth.
Lastly add in vanilla extract, milk and salt until frosting is fluffy and smooth.
Add frosting to each layer and stack on each other. Finally frost the sides and top of cake and serve it up.

Notes

How to Store

Wrap your leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container or cake carrier to keep it fresh and fab for up to 3-4 days at room temp. If you need to keep it longer than that, slide the extra cake into the fridge.

Just a little tip: if you're diving back in for another slice, let it sit out for a bit to get back to room temperature - it'll taste just like it did on day one!

How long will chocolate birthday cake last in the fridge?

It'll stay scrumptious for up to 6 days.

Can I freeze ?

Absolutely boos! I like to chill the cake in the fridge first to get that frosting firmed. Then I cut individual slices and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap then add to freezer bags releasing all the air. Add the date. It should last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge then bring back to room temperature before indulging.

Nutrition