Did you know that there’s a designated food holiday nearly every single day of the year? Some are a little "out there"—does anyone actually celebrate National Cheese Doodle Day? It’s March 5, if you’re interested. But today’s holiday is one we can wholeheartedly get behind: National Chocolate Cake Day.

This momentous holiday is the perfect excuse to start the Valentine’s chocolate extravaganza a little early and bake up a cocoa-rich cake. Rachel Allen’s is a classic: Moist cake made with a one-two punch of dark chocolate and cocoa powder, then layered with rich chocolate buttercream. It's versatile, too. Rachel's recommended flavor tweaks include a dash of orange zest or a teaspoon of instant coffee powder.

Rachel keeps it simple and doesn’t frost the outside of her cake—she suggests a dusting of confectioners' sugar for pretty presentation points. If that’s too restrained for you, go ahead and make a double-batch of that chocolatey buttercream and go to town.

Need more chocolate love? Look no further than our Chocolate Desserts gallery for a rich, gooey, delicious slideshow of treats.