Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 2

Grease and flour 3 8” round cake pans, then line bottom with round parchment paper. Set aside.

Step 3

Cream the butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl.

Step 4

Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until well blended.

Step 5

In a separate large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Step 6

Mix the cocoa powder and boiling water in a medium bowl until well combined and no lumps remain.

Step 7

Alternating between the two, slowly add dry ingredients and chocolate mixture to the bowl with the butter and sugar.

Step 8

Mix on low speed to incorporate ingredients.

Step 9

Divide the cake batter evenly between the three cake pans and place in the pre-heated oven.

Step 10

Bake 22-28 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Step 11

Remove from oven and set aside to cool for approximately 10 minutes before transferring the cakes from the pans to a wire rack to cool completely, approximately 10-15 more minutes.

Step 12

Cakes should no longer be warm to the touch before frosting.

Step 13

Make Chocolate Buttercream Frosting recipeTo assemble the cake, place the first layer top-side down on a cake plate.

Step 14

Add 1/3 of the frosting to the top of the cake layer and spread it out evenly.

Step 15

Take the second layer and level off the rounded top with a knife or cake leveler. Place the second layer on top of the first layer, top-side down.

Step 16

Add frosting to this layer and spread out evenly.

Step 17

Repeat this with the 3rd layer, and spread the remaining frosting out on the top layer.

Step 18

Slice and serve your chocolate cake immediately.