Homemade Chocolate Cake Decorating Ideas

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Chocolate Frosting:

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

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Prepare the Cake:
   • In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cocoa powder.
   • In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until well combined.
   • Add milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the egg mixture, stirring until smooth.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined.
   • Stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin, but that's normal.
3. Bake the Cake:
   • Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   • Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Prepare the Chocolate Frosting:
   • In a bowl, sift together cocoa powder and powdered sugar.
   • In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter.
   • Gradually add the cocoa and sugar mixture to the creamed butter, alternating with milk. Mix until smooth.
   • Stir in vanilla extract.
5. Frost the Cake:
   • Once the cakes are completely cooled, frost the top of one cake layer with chocolate frosting.
   • Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining chocolate frosting.
6. Decorate (Optional):
   • Decorate the cake with additional toppings like chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or nuts if desired.
7. Slice and Serve:
   • Slice and serve this delicious homemade chocolate cake!