Preheat oven 350°F. Spray three 8 inch cake pans with baking spray. Line the cake pans with 8 inch parchment circles. Spray again.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds until starting to melt. Melt for 15 second intervals. Mix well between each interval. Set aside to cool.
3.5 oz Semi-sweet chocolate bar
In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour and cocoa powder. Add in sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2 ½ cups All-purpose flour, 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
In a separate bowl, mix the oil, vanilla, buttermilk, eggs, and melted chocolate. Heat the water on the stove until steaming. Mix the hot water slowly into the wet ingredients. Go slow to not to cook the eggs.
¾ cup Oil, 2 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract, 1 ¼ cup Buttermilk, 4 Large eggs, ¾ cup Hot water
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Whisk until just combined. Separate the batter between the three cake pans.
Bake for 25-27 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.