Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray three 8 inch cake pans with baking non-stick spray. Line the bottoms with 8 inch parchment circles. Spray again.
In a mixing bowl, sift the flour and cocoa powder. Mix in the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Heat the hot water on the stove until steaming.
1 cup Dutch process cocoa powder, 1 ¾ cup White granulated sugar, 2 ½ teaspoon Baking powder, 1 ½ teaspoon Baking soda, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1 cup Hot water
In a separate mixing bowl, mix the oil, vanilla, buttermilk, and 4 eggs. Slowly add in the hot water.
¾ cup Oil, 2 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract, 1 cup Buttermilk, 4 Large eggs
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Mix until combined.
Divide the batter into the three cake pans. Bake for 25-28 minutes. The cakes are done baking when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let the cakes sit in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. The cakes needs to be completely cooled before using.