Intense Chocolate Mocha Cake
Intense Chocolate Mocha Cake

Intense Chocolate Mocha Cake



Recipe by: Willow Bird Baking, with frosting adapted from Martha Stewart
Yield: 9 servings

This easy snack cake packs an intense mocha punch! The espresso powder deepens the already fantastic chocolate flavor of the cake and smooth-as-silk frosting. Be sure to pour a tall glass of milk with this cake (or maybe a nice cup of coffee?)

Cake Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon espresso powder
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Frosting Ingredients:
7 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
7 tablespoons warm water
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled
coffee ice cream (for serving)

Directions:
Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with Baker’s Joy® nonstick cooking spray. Place a square of parchment in the bottom and spray this with Baker’s Joy® as well.

In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt together and set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring the butter, vegetable oil, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and water to a boil, whisking to mix. After it boils, whisk it into the dry ingredients until combined. Whisk in the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs (a clean toothpick means a dry cake, so be sure to pull it out before then!) Let the cake cool for about 20 minutes before cooling the rest of the way in the fridge. When your cake is completely cool, invert it onto a square plate or platter.

Make the frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa, espresso powder, and warm water. In a separate bowl, beat together butter, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the melted, cooled chocolate and the cocoa mixture. Let this sit for exactly 30 minutes (no really, exactly 30!) before you use it to obtain the perfect spreadability. Pile the frosting on the top of the cake and smooth it out to an even, thick layer. Cut into slices and serve with coffee ice cream.

6 Comments on Intense Chocolate Mocha Cake

  1. Katrina @ WVS
    April 22, 2014 at 8:29 am (10 years ago)

    Holy delicious!! Such a fudgy looking cake 🙂

    Reply
  2. Rebecca {foodie with family}
    April 22, 2014 at 9:58 am (10 years ago)

    I’m not sick, but I AM cranky and I think a slice or seven of this cake would cure it. Sigh.

    Reply
  3. Stephanie Manley
    April 22, 2014 at 10:21 am (10 years ago)

    That does look intense! Looks delicious!

    Reply
  4. Taylor @ greens & chocolate
    April 22, 2014 at 11:00 am (10 years ago)

    I really thought I was going to be an intense chocolate mocha cake but turns out, I’m an Orange Almond Cake. Who knew?! 🙂 I think I secretly wish I was this mocha cake, though…holy cow it looks delicious!!

    Reply
  5. Amy | Club Narwhal
    April 24, 2014 at 10:23 am (10 years ago)

    Yep, my jaw just dropped to the floor looking at this gorgeous, chocolatey wonder!

    Reply

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