Classic Chocolate Cake

A classic, rich chocolate cake, easy to make, easy to decorate – and delicious. This is a keeper for all occasions – everyone loves chocolate cake!

Step-by-step photos and instructions are below. Jump to the recipe card if you wish!

My son, H turned 3 yesterday! He had an absolute blast, and honestly – that made it fun for us too. Now that he understands a little more what’s going on, the excitement on his face is addictive. I can’t WAIT for next year. I was looking for something easy but still cool to make for his birthday – and found this after a quick browse.

Perfect for my truck, car, digger and train loving little boy. He loved this, and couldn’t wait to dig in. As always, this recipe is pretty easy.

To make this particular cake, you just have to make a two-layered chocolate cake (see below). Once it is cooled completely and frosted – go ahead and destroy it. Haha. Cut out a small slice of cake, half way down, lifting, and flipping it over on top of the cake so it looks like an excavator dug a hole. Smush it up a little.. Sprinkle crushed Oreos over the hole and over the mound of cake you flipped onto the cake to make it look like a pile of dirt. Add a small digger toy, and you will have the delight of any little boy.

Here’s some pics from H’s day:

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Classic Chocolate Cake

Author Kylee Ayotte

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Ingredients

 

• ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 2 cups white sugar
• ▢ 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
• ▢ 1 cup milk
• ▢ 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 cup boiling water
• ▢ Chocolate frosting (make your own or use storebought – I’m not judging)
• ▢ Optional for construction cake: 10-12 crushed oreo cookies

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350º F.
• Grease with butter and dust with flour, two 9-inch cake pans.
• Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on low to until combined well.
• Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to the dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until well combined.
• Carefully add boiling water to the cake batter. Beat on medium-high speed for about 1 minute.
• Pour the cake batter in to the two cake pans (as evenly as possible).
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, remove from the pan and cool completely.
• Frost with chocolate frosting, and decorate.

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About Kylee Ayotte

I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee