Method
Heat the oven to 350°F and grease and line the pan.
Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla and whisk smooth. Gradually whisk in hot coffee; the batter will be thin.
Bake until a tester comes out with a few moist crumbs, 30–38 minutes. Cool completely before frosting or cutting.
Notes
Coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste strongly of coffee. Confirm cottage-food eligibility locally before sale.
Related recipes and techniques
These are extensions, technique comparisons, or serving relationships; the complete recipe above remains usable as written.
- Use Vanilla Pastry Cream as a layer filling while keeping the cake recipe unchanged.
- For a denser cocoa-based bake, see Fudgy Cocoa Brownies.