Decadent Buttermilk Chocolate Dream Cake

1. Oven and Pan Preparation

Preheat your oven to 325°F and position the rack in the middle. Grease a 13x9-inch baking pan, lay down a sheet of parchment paper, grease the parchment, and dust with flour.

2. Prepare Dry Mix

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. Melt Chocolate and Butter

Place the chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes. Stir in the butter and continue to heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until completely melted and smooth.

4. Prepare Egg Mixture

In a separate bowl, whisk the room-temperature eggs with the granulated sugar and vanilla extract until well combined.

5. Combine Chocolate and Egg Mixtures

Gently fold the melted chocolate into the egg mixture until they are just integrated.

6. Add Buttermilk and Baking Soda

Stir together the buttermilk and baking soda, then whisk this into the chocolate-egg mix.

7. Finalize Batter

Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until you have a smooth and glossy batter.

8. Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing out the top to ensure an even layer. Bake until the cake feels firm when lightly pressed in the center, and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs, about 40 minutes.