Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 & 3/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk or heavy cream
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Whipped Cream Cheese Buttercream:

• 1 cup cream cheese
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar

For the Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream:

• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup cream cheese
• 1 & 3/4 cups Hershey’s cocoa powder
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons whole milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions:

Hershey’s Chocolate Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Prepare three round cake pans by spraying them with cooking spray and dusting lightly with flour. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, Hershey’s cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Add in the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract, mixing until thoroughly incorporated. Stir in the boiling water last; the batter will be very thin.
5. Pour the batter evenly into each of the prepared cake pans.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each layer comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes before removing them. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Level the cakes with a cake leveler or a serrated knife.

Whipped Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting:

1. With an electric mixer, whip the cream cheese and butter on high speed for about 30 seconds.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar (1/2 cup at a time), fully incorporating each addition before adding the next. Add vanilla extract and continue beating on high for 30 more seconds until fluffy.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting:

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar (1/2 cup at a time) until fully incorporated.
2. Add cocoa, milk, and vanilla extract. Whip all ingredients until thoroughly combined and fluffy.

Cake Assembly:

1. Place the first cake layer on a cake plate. Spread 3/4 cup of the cream cheese buttercream over it.
2. Top with the second cake layer and repeat the process.
3. Place the final layer on top.
4. Frost the top with the remaining Whipped Cream Cheese Buttercream and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
5. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy your delicious Hershey’s Chocolate Layer Cake!