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If a little indulgence is what you want, then that's what you'll get from this decadent chocolate coffee cake. The butter frosting combines with a deliciously moist cake to create a dessert that will be a centrepiece on the table.
If you're short on time there's no need to make this a layer cake. You can simply add frosting to the top and sides and garnish with coffee beans. For a more impressive-looking cake, evenly slice layers and fill with butter frosting. Then finally, top with royal icing and coffee beans or shards of chocolate.
Recipe
Chocolate Coffee Cake
Ingredients
To make the cake
- 250 g unsalted butter or 9 oz
- 1 tbsp instant coffee
- 250 g dark chocolate or 9 oz
- 150 g self-raising flour or 5 oz
- 100 g cocoa or 3 ½ oz
- ¾ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 2 cups caster sugar
- ½ cup milk
- 4 large eggs beaten lightly
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 150 g all purpose flour or 5 oz
To make the butter frosting
- 226 g chocolate or 8 oz
- 100 g unsalted butter or 4 oz
- ¾ cup double cream
- 100 g powdered sugar or 4 oz
Instructions
- Place an oven tray in the middle rack of the oven and preheat to 340F (170C). Grease and line an 8″ (20cm) cake tin.
- Add butter, coffee and chocolate to a medium bowl resting on a pan of simmering water. Stir while heating until the ingredients melt and form a smooth, shiny liquid. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, bicarbonate of soda and sugar. Make a well and pour in the milk, eggs and oil. Stir until combined.
- Add the melted chocolate mixture to the flour and stir until combined. Pour cake mix into the prepared tin and bake for 55-60 minutes or until cooked throughout.
- Allow to cool for 5 minute before turning out onto a wire rack.
- Slice the cake into 4 layers using a sharp knife. If you prefer, you can simply slice it in half.
- To make the frosting: add the chocolate, butter, cream and powdered sugar to a pan and heat on low until melted. Stir frequently during this step.
- Allow the frosting to cool before applying to the top of each layer. Assemble the cake then use a palette knife to spread a thin layer over the top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate the top with royal icing. You can make your own or go for the easier option and buy this amazingly good royal icing on Amazon. Finally, garnish with coffee beans.
Notes
How to Slice a Cake Into Layers
There are some fancy cake slicers on the market which make your life simple. They create perfect, even layers that look superb.
Another option is to use skewers. For the first layer, stick a skewer into each side of the cake ensuring they're nice and level. They will act as guides for you to cut even layers. Once you complete the first layer, repeat with the rest of them.
Here's a video with a more exact approach to getting perfectly even slices.
Tips for Making a Better Chocolate Coffee Cake
- When choosing dark chocolate look for at least 70% cocoa solids.
- Ensure that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the simmering water when melting the butter, coffee and chocolate.
- Sift the flour, cocoa and bicarbonate of soda for better results.
- To test if the cake is cooked, insert a skewer into its centre. It is ready when it comes out clean.
- If your cake had a round top, turn the cake out of the tin upside down onto the wire rack to cool. This will help flatten the top.
Recommended reading: What is a good alternative to coffee liqueur.
And that's all there is to it. This cake is well worth the effort—it's moist and packed with mouth-watering indulgence!
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