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Ingredients

Prep Notes (one per line) Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9 x 2 inch round cake pans, line them with parchment paper, then grease and flour the pans. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. On low speed, add the eggs, one at a time. Add the vanilla and beat until well mixed, scraping down the bowl as you go.

Whisk the cocoa powder and hot coffee together in a small bowl. With the mixer on low, add it into the batter.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and 1 1/2 tsp salt. With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture to the batter, then all the sour cream, then the remaining flour mixture, mixing each addition until combined. With a rubber spatula, fold the batter until it is well mixed.

Divide the batter equally, between the two prepared pans and smooth the tops, like a person who has absolutely never panicked over onions. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, and ignore any drive-by culinary nonsense from the sidelines. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, turn out onto a baking rack, and cool completely.

To frost the cakes, slice them in half horizontally with a long, thin knife. Place the bottom of the first cake, cut side up on a flat serving plate and spread a thin layer of buttercream on the top only with a palette knife. Place the top of the first cake, cut side down, on top of the first and thinly frost the top only. Next place the top layer of the second cake on top, cut side up and thinly frost. Finally, place the bottom layer of the second cake, bottom side up (so the top of the cake is flat). Frost the top and sides of the cake.

Heat a palette knife or frosting spatula in hot water. Shake off any excess water and use it to smooth the buttercream on the sides and top of the cake. Continue heating the palette knife and shaking off the excess water, until the buttercream is smooth. If there is extra buttercream, fill a pastry bag with it to decorate the top.