Step 1

 

Preheat oven to 180 °C. Sift cake flour, cocoa, and baking powder into a large bowl. Add sugar and salt. Whisk briefly to combine.

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Step 2

 

Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Whisk well to combine until lump free - about 30 seconds.

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Step 3

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Add boiling water and whisk to incorporate. Pour batter into cake pans.

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Step 4

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Bake for 35 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes, or until cool completely before frosting.

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Step 5

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For buttercream, place butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attached. Beat for 3 minutes on speed 7 until it becomes pale.

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Step 6

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Add half the icing sugar and cocoa powder. Beat for 3 minutes - start slow, increase to speed.

Add remaining icing sugar and cocoa powder. Beat again for 3 minutes.

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Step 7

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Add milk and vanilla if using. Beat again for 1 minute on speed 7.
 

Step 8

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Spread frosting onto cakes, or spoon into frosting bag and pipe.