Moist Chocolate Buttermilk Cake

This Chocolate Buttermilk Cake is rich, fudgy, and incredibly moist thanks to the combination of buttermilk, oil, and hot coffee. With three tender layers and a deep chocolate flavor, it’s the ultimate cake for birthdays, holidays, or anytime you’re craving decadence.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Incredibly moist and rich texture
Uses buttermilk and hot coffee for depth and softness
Perfect for layered celebrations or simple sheet cake formats
Pairs beautifully with chocolate ganache, buttercream, or cream cheese frosting

Servings: 12–14

⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes
⏲️ Bake Time: 30–35 minutes
️ Oven Temp: 175°C / 350°F
Pan Size: Three 8-inch round cake pans

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

2½ cups (312 g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (100 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
2½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
2½ cups (500 g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
1½ cups (360 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
1 cup (240 ml) hot coffee or boiling water

‍ Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat & Prepare Pans

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.

2️⃣ Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together:

Flour
Cocoa powder
Baking soda
Baking powder
Salt

Set aside.

3️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar

In another large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar using a hand or stand mixer.
Beat on high until light and fluffy (about 3–5 minutes).

4️⃣ Add Eggs, Vanilla & Oil

Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each.
Stir in vanilla extract and vegetable oil until smooth and emulsified.

5️⃣ Alternate Dry Ingredients & Buttermilk

Gradually add the dry ingredients in thirds, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with dry.
Mix just until combined — don’t overmix.

6️⃣ Stir in Hot Coffee

Slowly pour in the hot coffee (or boiling water) and mix until the batter is smooth.
The batter will be thin — this is key to a super moist crumb.

7️⃣ Bake

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.