If you’re a coffee lover with a sweet tooth, this mocha cake is an absolute dream come true. Picture layers of espresso-infused chocolate cake, adorned with a creamy espresso buttercream and topped with a luxurious ganache. Perfect for any occasion, this cake promises to fulfill all your mocha cravings.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour โ 360 g (3 cups)
- Sugar โ 533 g (2 and 2/3 cups)
- Kosher salt โ 1 teaspoon
- Baking soda โ 1 tablespoon
- Baking powder โ 1.5 teaspoons
- Cocoa powder โ 3 tablespoons
- Vegetable oil โ 180 ml (3/4 cup)
- Buttermilk โ 240 ml (1 cup)
- Sour cream โ 120 ml (1/2 cup)
- Vanilla extract โ 1 tablespoon
- Large eggs โ 3
- Strong coffee โ 360 ml (1.5 cups)
- Confectioner’s sugar โ 680 g (1.5 pounds)
- Espresso powder โ to taste (recommend around 1-3 teaspoons)
- Semi-sweet chocolate โ 170 g (1 cup)
- Heavy cream โ as needed for the ganache
- Chocolate covered espresso beans โ to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Mix
Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a mixer. Sift in cocoa powder and whisk well. - Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix vegetable oil, buttermilk, sour cream, vanilla extract, and eggs. Whisk until combined, then add strong coffee. - Combine and Bake
Butter and flour cake pans, then mix wet ingredients with dry, scraping the sides. Pour batter evenly into pans, using a scale for uniformity. Bake at 175ยฐC (350ยฐF) with cake strips for even layers. - Prepare Buttercream
Whip butter until light and fluffy. Sift in confectioners’ sugar, add vanilla, cocoa, and espresso powder. Mix adjust espresso to taste. - Make Ganache
Pour hot cream over chopped chocolate, let sit covered, then whisk to smoothness. - Assemble Cake
Layer with buttercream, drizzle ganache, and sprinkle with chopped chocolate espresso beans between layers. Cover in buttercream, smooth with a spatula, and finish with ganache drizzle and espresso bean topping.
This mocha cake is a true labor of love, but every bite is worth the effort. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or a personal treat, this cake combines rich chocolatey layers with the perfect balance of coffee and sweet. Enjoy!
