Decadent Chocolate Fudge Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional for extra fudginess)

For the Chocolate Fudge Frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to the flour mixture and mix until smooth.
4. Incorporate Hot Water: Stir in hot water gradually until well combined. The batter will be thin. Stir in the chocolate chips if using.
5. Bake: Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Prepare Frosting: For the frosting, melt butter and stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Stir in vanilla.
7. Cool Cakes: Remove cakes from oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely.
8. Frost the Cake: Once cooled, frost with chocolate fudge frosting between the layers, on the sides, and on top of the cake.
9. Serve: Enjoy this rich, chocolatey delight!