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It is cake time!! Specifically simple chocolate birthday cake with whipped chocolate buttercream frosting…YES.
Yay!!
So…..
My power went out while writing this post and ALL the words were lost. Ugh. I am actually re-writing this via candlelight and the hotspot on my phone!
I had written so much!
Things like how this big three-layer cake was for my mom’s birthday.
And how for all birthdays around here, two layers simply won’t do.
Nope, not two.
Three.
Because when cake is involved… three layers are always better than two.
More layers mean more frosting, which is just all around awesomeness.
This is my all time favorite chocolate cake.
I know the ingredients by heart and could probably make this cake in my sleep. It is that easy.
This cake never fails and the frosting will forever be my family’s favorite.
It is almost mousse-like. So light and fluffy. My mom could not stop saying how incredibly moist and delicious it was.
She even did the roll the eyes to the back of her head thing. I LOVE when she does that!
Well, I have to cut this one short, sorry for the very quick post. As I said before, our power is completely out and I only have limited time on my phone’s hotspot before my battery dies.
Ten percent to be exact, gotta wrap it up!
Hopefully the photos will do the talking.
Oh, and did you notice? The gotta little love from the amazing WoodenSpoons Kitchen! What do think? I will be talking about it more soon, but the battery is now at 3%.
Watch the How-To Video here:
(2 LAYER CAKE) Simple Chocolate Birthday Cake with Whipped Chocolate Buttercream.
Servings: 16 servings
Calories Per Serving: 539 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Cake For 2 Layers
- 2 eggs (at room temperature)
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup hot black coffee
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Whipped Chocolate Buttercream
- 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) salted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3-4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter/spray with cooking spray.
- 2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, buttermilk, greek yogurt, canola oil, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and mix until there are no longer any clumps of flour. Add the hot coffee and mix until combined. The batter should be pourable, but not super thin. Stir in the chocolate chips, if using.
- 3. Pour the batter among the 2 cake pans and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops are just set and no longer wiggly in the center. Remove and let cool five minutes, then run a knife around the edges of the pan. Invert the cakes onto a cooling rack. Cover and let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
Whipped Chocolate Buttercream
- 1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and powdered sugar until the butter is light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and beat, scraping down the sides as needed, another 2 minutes or so, until there are no streaks of white. Add 3 tablespoons of the heavy cream and whip the frosting for 2-4 minutes or until light and fluffy. If desired add the remaining tablespoon of the heavy cream (I normally do) and whip until combined. Taste the frosting and add more powdered sugar if you like a sweeter or thicker frosting.
- 2. Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a plate or cake stand. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with sprinkles, chocolate curls, or whatever your heart desires.
Notes
*To quickly bring eggs to room temperature place them in a bowl and fill with warm water. Let them sit five minutes.
(3 LAYER CAKE) Simple Chocolate Birthday Cake with Whipped Chocolate Buttercream.
Servings: 30 servings
Calories Per Serving: 385 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Cake For 3 Layers
- 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons plain greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup canola oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons hot black coffee
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Whipped Chocolate Buttercream
- 4 sticks (2 cups) salted butter softened to room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4-5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease 3 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter/spray with cooking spray.2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, buttermilk, greek yogurt, canola oil, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and mix until there are no longer any clumps of flour. Add the hot coffee and mix until combined. The batter should be pourable, but not super thin. Stir in the chocolate chips, if using.3. Pour the batter among the cake pans and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops are just set and no longer wiggly in the center. Remove and let cool five minutes, then run a knife around the edges of the pan. Invert the cakes onto a cooling rack. Cover and let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
Whipped Chocolate Buttercream
- 1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and powdered sugar until the butter is light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and beat, scraping down the sides as needed, another 2 minutes or so, until there are no streaks of white. Add 3 tablespoons of the heavy cream and whip the frosting for 2-4 minutes or until light and fluffy. If desired add the remaining tablespoon of the heavy cream (I normally do) and whip until combined. Taste the frosting and add more powdered sugar if you like a sweeter or thicker frosting.2. Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a plate or cake stand. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting. Add the 3rd layer and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with sprinkles, chocolate curls, or whatever your heart desires.
Notes
*To quickly bring eggs to room temperature place them in a bowl and fill with warm water. Let them sit five minutes.
Hey, I had a thought, there could be a good side to this power outage. Kinda the perfect time for cake!
Lastly, if you make this Simple Chocolate Birthday Cake with Whipped Chocolate Buttercream be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
This post was originally published on January 17, 2014
The new design, GIRL! I LOVE IT. And I love this cake. Just so much love, basically.
Thank you so much, Stephanie!!! Glad you love the site!
Wishing so much I could share some with you!
So, this looks simply divine. That buttercream! I’ve just stumbled across your blog, by the way, and you have a new follower. Your photos are simply fantastic.
Thank you so much, Rachel!
So happy to have a new follower!
I canNOT resist a chocolate layer cake, it’s my sweet, sweet indulgence! Yours is gorgeous. And wow, your new site design is just lovely, too. Congrats!!
Thanks Brenda! Chocolate cake is my all time favorite! Love a good simple one!
This cake looks craaaazy delicious! And the new design is FAB!! Awesome work WSK!
Thank you so much, Katrina!
Tieghan, I LOVE the new site design! Everything looks amazing! And this cake?…whoa I can see the moistness shining through those pictures! And that frosting looks like one of those frostings that I would end up eating half the batch plain…;) Happy birthday to your mother!
Thank you so much, Sarah!!
the blog looks awesome T! and umm hiii this cake is INCREDIBLE. so hungry right now
Thank you so much, Christine!
Ok, #1 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! #2 yes, three is always better than two when talking about chocolate layers. #3 this new site design is soooo freakin’ cute!!
Thanks so much, Steph!!
That is a beautiful cake! I will be dreaming of it all day!
Thanks Janet!
I love the new site design! And I love this cake! I want the frosting for breakfast!
Thank you so much! Hope you have a great weekend!
This looks AMAZING! I must have this NOW!
Thanks Rachel!
Congrats on the new design Tieghan!! I know that you’ve been waiting for this for a long time–and its so exciting when it finally happens. Can’t wait to check out all the new features : )
I love the new look! I got here and wasn’t sure I was in the right place!
That frosting! I always make buttercream frosting for cakes and cupcakes but it is usually very dense so I can’t wait to try this one. It looks like a chocolate cloud 🙂
Haha! There were some kinks this morning so I am happy everything will get perfect soon!
Thanks Jaqui!
Hey Tieghan! I was wondering if your site was getting a new look ! –
LOVE IT! This cake looks crazy good and I will be making it very soon. Wish I had a piece now to go with my morning coffee !
Thank you so much, Kathy!
Glad you like site and hope you get to make it soon!
OMG I LOVE YOUR NEW LOOK GIRL! IT IS SOO CUTE! Totally jealous, but SO happy for you!!! Next you just need your barn and you are SET.
I am loving this cake. It’s 6am and, again, too early for cake
Buttt I want it anyway. Nom nom nom.
I still can’t get over how cute your new look is.
Thank you, Taylor!
So happy you like the new look!
OMG NEW LOOK!!! LOVE IT!!!!!
I was seriously thinking you were going to get a makeover any day now and bam, here it is. Awesome! I know makeovers are such a labor of love, each and every element from the font on this to the button shape and size on that, needs to be chosen. And your site looks wonderful! So much more you!
And this cake. Such a beauty! Happy Bday to your mama! I bet she was thrilled to have a cake like this! I think anyone would be!
Oh and I pinned your naan tutorial on a group board earlier today and ppl went nuts over it 🙂
Pinning this!
Thank you!!
It has been a huge labor of love, very time consuming. We had some issues with things today, but hopefully all the kinks will be worked out soon!
Thanks for all the pins. I noticed something was going on with the naan. Thanks so much!!