Simple Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

1. 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3. 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
4. 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
5. 2 cups granulated sugar
6. 2 large eggs
7. 1 cup whole milk
8. 1/2 cup vegetable oil
9. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
10. 1 cup boiling water

For Frosting (Optional):

1. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2. 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3. 3 cups powdered sugar
4. 1/3 cup milk
5. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

Step 2: In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cocoa powder.

Step 3: Add sugar, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.

Step 4: Gradually add boiling water to the batter, mixing continuously. The batter will be thin, but that's okay.

Step 5: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.

Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

For Frosting (Optional): Step 8: In a bowl, beat together softened butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

Step 9: Once the cakes are completely cooled, frost the top of one cake layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the entire cake.

Step 10: Slice and serve this Simple Chocolate Cake, indulging in the delightful combination of moist chocolate layers.

Enjoy the simplicity and richness of this homemade chocolate cake!