Description
This Chocolate Espresso Cake blends deep cocoa flavor with bold espresso in a moist, tender crumb, layered with a silky mocha buttercream. Perfect for special occasions or any time you crave a sophisticated, bakery-style dessert at home.
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup dark cocoa powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
½ cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
½ cup freshly brewed espresso or 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder dissolved in ½ cup hot water
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons espresso (cooled)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
Dark chocolate shavings
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
3. In another bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and espresso. Mix well.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until smooth, being careful not to overmix.
5. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
7. For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add espresso and vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in heavy cream until light and fluffy.
8. Assemble the cake: Place one layer on a cake stand, frost the top, add the second layer, and frost the top and sides.
9. Garnish with chocolate shavings if desired. Serve at room temperature.
Notes
For a bolder espresso flavor, increase to 1 tablespoon espresso powder in the batter.
Ensure the espresso is cooled before adding it to the frosting to avoid curdling the butter.
For ultra-moist cake layers, wrap and chill them for 1 hour before frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 39g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg