1 1/2 cup ( 3 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for pans
3/4 cup dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted, plus more for pans
1/2 cup hot water
2 1/4 cup sugar
1 table spoon vanilla extract
4 large egg, lightly beaten
3 cups cake flour, not self-rising, sifted
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1. heat oven to 350 F, butter two 9 by 2-inch round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper. Butter parchment; dust with cocoa powder, tapping out excess. In a medium bowl, whisk cocoa with hot water until smooth. set a side to cool.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes, scrapping down side twice. Add eggs, one at a
time, beating to combine after each. Beat in vanilla.
3.In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Whisk milk into reserved cocoa mixture. with mixer on low speed, alternately add flour and cocoa mixture to the batter, a little of each at a time, starting and ending with flour mixture.
4. Devide batter evenly among the two prepared pans. Bake until a cake tester inserted into center of each layer comes out clean, 35-45 minutes, rotating the pans for even baking. Transfer layers to wire rack, let cool completely.
5. decorate the cake with your favourite frosting.
Courtesy, mba Vania...& Martha Stewart Baking handbook.