Foryoueats: Deliciously Moist Chocolate Layer Cake

Ingredients

• Cake:
• 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour(spooned & leveled)
• 3/4 cup (62g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 1 and 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons espresso powder (optional)
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil (or canola oil or melted coconut oil)
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 cup (240ml) freshly brewed strong hot coffee (regular or decaf)
• Chocolate Buttercream:
• 1 and 1/4 cups (282g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3 and 1/2 cups (420g) confectioners’sugar
• 3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or dutch process)
• 3–5 Tablespoons (45-75ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half or milk), at room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• optional for decoration: semi-sweet chocolate chips