Old-fashioned Chocolate Cake

I found this in a magazine and love it! I have yet to perfect the look of it, but it gets rave reviews every time I make it!

Makes one 8-inch, 2-layer cake
Total time 45 minutes + cooling

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. table salt
2 cups hot water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar
1 Tbsp. instant coffee granules
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in the center. Spray two 8x2-inch round cake pans with non-stick spray
Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Combine water, oil, vinegar, instant coffee and vanilla in a large measuring cup. Add to the dry ingredients and whisk just until combined - a few lumps are ok. Divide batter between pans, then bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool cakes on a rack for 15 minutes, then invert them onto the rack. Leave cakes upside down (this flattens domed cakes) to cool completely.

Frost with Glossy Chocolate Icing