Preheat Your Oven : Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.

Mix Dry Ingredients : In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients together until they’re evenly mixed.

Add Wet Ingredients : Pour in the vegetable oil, milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Use a whisk or a hand mixer to blend everything until smooth. The batter will be thick at this stage, but don’t worry—that’s normal.

Incorporate Boiling Water : Slowly stir in the boiling water. This step transforms the batter into a thinner consistency, which is key to achieving that moist texture. Mix until the batter is completely smooth.

Bake the Cake : Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 30–35 minutes. To check if it’s done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your Chocolate Craving Cake is ready.

Cool the Cake : Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling is important because it helps the cake set properly before frosting.

Make the Frosting : While the cake cools, prepare the frosting. Beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and spreadable.

Frost the Cake : Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. You can get creative here add sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or even a drizzle of melted chocolate if you’re feeling fancy.