1. Make the Cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
Slowly add the boiling water or hot coffee, mixing until fully combined. The batter will be thin—this is normal!
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
2. Make the Frosting:
Beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with heavy cream, until smooth and spreadable.
Mix in vanilla extract. Add more cream if the frosting is too thick.
3. Assemble the Cake:
Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of frosting over the top.
Repeat with the second and third layers, frosting between each. Use the remaining frosting to cover the sides and top.
4. Make the Ganache:
