Using a large bowl combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk the dry ingredients together.
Add the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, coffee, and oil. Beat on medium speed for about two minutes, the batter will be thin.
Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before icing.
Icing:
In a medium saucepan on medium-low heat melt the butter. Remove from heat.
Whisk in cocoa.
Return to stove on medium-low heat and cook until just begins to boil.
Remove from heat. Whisk in the powdered sugar (you can sift it to remove any lumps before adding).
Add the vanilla and coffee and stir until mixed.
Let the frosting cool for 10 minutes to let it set up just a bit. Then ice the cake. Don’t let it cool too long or it will harden in your pan and not be as easy to spread.
Spread the icing over the cake.
Notes
TIP: Rubbing cocoa powder on the pan instead of flour keeps the chocolate flavor going.TIP: Don’t let the icing cool too long or it will harden in your pan and not be easy to spread.