Chocolate Cake

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## 👩‍🍳 Directions

### Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to **350°F (175°C)**. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or line with parchment paper for easy removal).

### Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

### Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla to the bowl. Mix until smooth and combined.

### Step 4: Add Hot Water (or Coffee)
Slowly pour in the hot water or coffee while mixing. The batter will be thin—don’t worry, this is what makes the cake so moist!

### Step 5: Bake
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for **30–35 minutes**, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

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## 🍫 Make the Frosting

Beat butter until fluffy. Add cocoa powder, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla. Slowly mix in cream or milk until you reach your desired consistency—thick and spreadable, or smooth and pourable!

Frost the cooled cakes, stack them, and finish with a thick, glossy layer on top. Add chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or berries for an extra flourish.

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## 🧁 Variations

– **Cupcakes**: This recipe makes about 24 cupcakes. Bake for 18–20 minutes.
– **Sheet Cake**: Pour batter into a 9×13″ pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.
– **Gluten-Free**: Substitute with a gluten-free flour blend.
– **Vegan**: Use plant milk, oil instead of butter, and egg replacers.

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## 💡 Tips for Success

– Use **room temperature ingredients** for a smoother batter.
– Don’t overmix—stir until just combined to keep it light and fluffy.
– Coffee doesn’t add a coffee flavor—it simply **deepens the chocolate taste**.
– Chill the cake before slicing for clean, even pieces.

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## 🎉 Final Thoughts

A great chocolate cake doesn’t need to be complicated. With this easy recipe, you’ll have a rich, indulgent treat that’s perfect for any occasion—or no occasion at all. Once you make it, you might just find yourself baking it again and again. (We certainly do!)

So go ahead, **preheat that oven**, grab your whisk, and treat yourself to a slice of chocolate heaven. 🍰✨

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What do you like to top your chocolate cake with? Let me know in the comments—frosting lovers, ganache purists, and sprinkles fans welcome!