Start by preheating the oven to 350° F/ 180° C.
Prepare a metal baking pan of 9″x13″ (23 x 33 cm) and line it with parchment paper, trimming the edges .
Make a mixture with the cocoa and hot water, stirring until dissolved and set aside.
Next, in a stand mixer mixing bowl add the egg whites and turn the machine on medium speed.
When they begin to foam up, add in the cream of tartar and continue whisking until the mixture has doubled in volume.
Now turn the speed up a little and gradually incorporate the sugar. Keep mixing for another minute until peaks form.
Transfer the whipped egg whites to another bowl and place the cocoa and water mixture in the stand mixer bowl together with the butter, eggs and vanilla.
Separately, combine the sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt and add into the cocoa mixture. Whisk on low speed for about a minute then turn it up to medium for 3 minutes to homogenize.
Push the whipped egg whites to the side of the bowl and pour the cocoa batter in the empty space to avoid deflating the egg whites.
Fold the egg whites into the batter with upward movements until well combined and evenly coloured. Avoid stirring in circles because that will cause the cake to be dense and not light and fluffy.
Pour the batter in the cake pan and bake for about 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the batter comes out clean.
Remove from the oven, place on a cooling rack and let it cool completely.