Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: frosting of your choice (vanilla buttercream, cream cheese, or chocolate ganache)
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- 9-inch round cake pans (2)
- Parchment paper
- Oven
Step-by-Step Instructions
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, I combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients first helps ensure an even distribution of the leavening agents, which can make a huge difference in rise and fluffiness. Next, I add in the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. This is where the magic happens! I use my electric mixer to blend everything together until it’s smooth and creamy. Just smelling the sweet cocoa and vanilla is such a delight! (See the next page below to continue steps…)