Ingredients
– 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
– ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
– 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup whole milk
– ½ cup vegetable oil
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1 cup boiling water
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– ½ cup fresh strawberries, pureed
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for the buttercream)
Equipment Needed
– Two 9-inch round cake pans
– Mixing bowls
– An electric mixer (or a whisk if you’re feeling brave!)
– Rubber spatula
– Cooling rack
– A small saucepan for pureeing strawberries
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this cake is the ultimate joy! First, I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare the cake pans with a bit of grease and flour. In a large mixing bowl, I combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. The chocolatey aroma wafts up, making my kitchen smell heavenly! After mixing the dry ingredients, I add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. I mix everything until combined and then carefully pour in the boiling water. That’s right—boiling water! This is what helps create a moist cake, and I always feel a little thrill when I see the batter turn glossy. (See the next page below to continue steps…)