How do you make a simple chocolate cake?

This recipe is perfect for beginners or those who want a quick and easy cake.

Ingredients:

* For the cake:

* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

* 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 1 cup granulated sugar

* 1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk + 1 tablespoon white vinegar)

* 1/2 cup vegetable oil

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

* 1 cup boiling water

* For the frosting:

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

* 3 cups powdered sugar

* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

* 1/4 cup milk

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Prepare the cake batter:

* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.

* In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

* In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract.

* Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.

* Slowly pour the boiling water into the batter, mixing until smooth.

2. Bake the cake:

* Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

3. Prepare the frosting:

* While the cake cools, prepare the frosting by beating the butter in a large bowl until smooth.

* Gradually add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy.

4. Assemble the cake:

* Once the cake has completely cooled, frost it with the chocolate frosting.

5. Enjoy!

Tips:

* For a richer flavor, use dark cocoa powder (60-70% cocoa).

* You can substitute the buttermilk with 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar.

* Add a cup of chocolate chips to the batter for extra chocolatey goodness.

* You can use any type of frosting you like, but chocolate frosting is a classic pairing for chocolate cake.

Enjoy your simple chocolate cake!