This is a step-by-step guide to baking a perfect chocolate cake. The ingredients needed include all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, milk, vegetable oil, large eggs, and vanilla extract. You will also need some tools like mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, an electric mixer or whisk, rubber spatula, 8-inch round cake pans, parchment paper, and an oven. After preheating the oven and preparing the pans, combine the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients while mixing with an electric mixer. Stir in boiling water and bake for about 30-35 minutes. Allow the cakes to cool before frosting and decorating as desired.

How to Make a Perfect Chocolate Cake
Baking a chocolate cake can be a delightful experience, especially when you end up with a perfect result. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make a delicious chocolate cake:
Ingredients
Before we begin, here are the ingredients you will need:
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 200g granulated sugar
- 50g cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Tools
Make sure you have the following tools ready:
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Rubber spatula
- 8-inch round cake pans
- Parchment paper
- Oven
Steps
Preheat the Oven
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the oven is hot enough when the cake goes in.
Prepare the Pans
2. Line the bottom of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. This will help the cake release easily after baking.
Dry Ingredients
3. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix them well using a whisk.
Wet Ingredients
4. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well blended.
Combine and Mix
5. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, while mixing with an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue mixing until just combined; do not overmix.
Add Boiling Water
6. Stir in 1 cup of boiling water to the batter. The mixture may look runny at first, but this is normal. Gently fold the batter until the water is fully incorporated.
Bake
7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling
8. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them onto wire racks to cool completely.
Frosting and Decoration (Optional)
Once your cake layers are cooled, you can frost and decorate them as desired. Common options include:
- Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- Ganache
- Whipped Cream
- Fresh Fruits or Berries
Remember, the key to a perfect cake is patience and attention to detail during each step of the process. Enjoy your homemade chocolate cake!