Description
A rich and moist Christmas Mocha Cake that perfectly combines the flavors of chocolate and coffee with a luscious mocha frosting, making it an indulgent holiday dessert perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup brewed coffee
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the cake layers.
- Prepare Pans: Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix well until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
- Incorporate Coffee Flavor: Dissolve the instant espresso powder in the boiling water, then stir this mixture into the batter to enhance the mocha flavor.
- Pour Batter: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops.
- Bake: Bake the cakes in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the unsalted butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, mixing thoroughly.
- Add Coffee to Frosting: Pour in the brewed coffee and continue mixing until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
- Assemble Cake: Once the cakes are fully cooled, frost the top of one layer, stack the other cake layer on top, and frost the top and sides evenly for a beautiful finish.
Notes
- Make sure the cakes are completely cool before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
- You can adjust the espresso powder quantity to make the mocha flavor stronger or milder.
- For a more intense coffee flavor, use strong brewed coffee for the frosting.
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Let refrigerated cake come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
