Perfect Chocolate Cake

• cup cocoa↗1 cup
• cups boiling water2 cups
• cup butter, softened↗1 cup
• cups sugar↗2 1⁄2 cups
• eggs↗4
• cups all-purpose flour↗2 3⁄4 cups
• teaspoons baking soda↗2 teaspoons
• teaspoon baking powder↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• teaspoon salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• teaspoons vanilla↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Combine cocoa and boiling water, stirring until smooth; set aside until cool.

2. 2

   Cream butter, gradually add sugar, beating well at medium speed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

3. 3

   Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl, add to creamed mixture alternately with the cooled cocoa mixture, beating at low speed, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir in vanilla. Do not overbeat.

4. 4

   Pour batter into 3 buttered and floured 9-inch round cakepans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes, remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.