Nani's Favorite Moist Chocolate Cake

Name: Nani's Favorite Moist Chocolate Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 2 cups white sugar; 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup buttermilk; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup hot brewed coffee; 1 cup softened butter; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 cup cocoa powder; 3 tablespoons milk

This is the most dependable chocolate cake recipe for birthdays or any time you need a little comfort.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

35 minutes

Total

55 minutes

Serves

There is something truly special about a homemade chocolate cake. This version is my go to because it stays perfectly moist for days and has just the right amount of deep cocoa flavor that everyone loves.

My biggest tip for this recipe is to make sure your coffee is hot when you add it to the batter. It really helps the cocoa powder bloom, which makes the chocolate flavor taste much richer without making the cake taste like coffee at all.

🧺 Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup hot brewed coffee
1 cup softened butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3 tablespoons milk

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease two nine inch round cake pans.
2
Whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
3
Add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix on medium speed until the batter is smooth.
4
Carefully stir in the hot coffee by hand. The batter will be thin, but that is exactly how it should be.
5
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7
Beat the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and milk together until light and fluffy to make the frosting.
8
Frost the cooled cakes and serve to your family and friends.

💡 Tips

Store your leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to keep it soft. If you want to make it ahead of time, the unfrosted layers can be wrapped in plastic and frozen for up to one month.

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