Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray three 8-inch cake pans with baking nonstick spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper circles and spray again.
In a medium bowl, sift the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2 cups All-purpose flour, 1/4 cup Cornstarch, 1 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tsp Baking powder, 1/2 tsp Baking soda, 1 tsp Salt
Start the hot water on the stove, so it gets hot and steamy. In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, vanilla, eggs, and buttermilk. Slowly whisk in the hot water.
1 cup Oil , 1 3/4 cup White granulated sugar, 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract, 4 Large eggs, 1 cup Buttermilk, 1 cup Hot water
Add in the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Pour the cake batter evenly between the three cake pans.
Bake for 24-29 minutes. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let the cakes sit in the hot pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Cool completely before decorating.