Amazing Chocolate Cake

There are two kinds of people: those who prefer chocolate cake and those who prefer vanilla. Thankfully, everyone in my family is of the former mindset; I come from a long line of chocolate lovers. That is why every birthday in my family is celebrated with this rich, moist, amazing chocolate cake.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• 1 ¾ cups flour
• 1 ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 room temperature eggs
• 1 and ⅛ cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water
• ½ cup canola oil

1. Heat oven to 350 ℉. Grease two 6 inch round pans with with butter and cocoa powder, set aside.
   2.In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir until well combined.
2. Add oil, eggs, milk and vanilla to dry mixture. With an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until smooth.
3. Using a wooden spoon, stir in hot water. The addition of the water will make the batter very thin.
4. Pour batter into prepared cake pans, batter should not exceed ¾ of pans volume (if you have extra batter, consider making cupcakes).
5. Bake for 30 minutes, toothpick inserted into center of cakes will come out clean when cakes are finished baking. Allow cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
6. Cool for 2 hours before frosting.

I like to frost this cake with my homemade vanilla buttercream, but it is great with any frosting!