Espresso Chocolate Cake

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Four layers of dark chocolate cake frosted with espresso buttercream and topped with melted chocolate.

Yield: Fourlayered 6-inch cake

Prep Time25

Cook Time30

Assembly25

Total Time1 20

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: slices

Author: Maryanne Cabrera

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
½ cup coconut oil
1 Tablespoon instant espresso powder
1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, room temperature
⅔ cup whole milk, room temperature
1 cup sour cream, room temperature

Espresso Swiss Buttercream:

6 large egg whites (about ¾ cup)
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 cups unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons, softened
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder

Other components:

4 oz 72% dark chocolate, melted
coffee beans, to garnish

Instructions

Chocolate Cake

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line two 6-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Lightly grease and set aside.
Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together coconut oil, sugar, espresso powder, eggs, and vanilla until well combined. On low speed alternate adding dry flour mixture and milk. Add about 1/3 of flour, following with 1/2 of milk. Add another 1/3 of flour and remaining milk. Scrape down bowl as needed to ensure thorough mixing. Add sour cream and remaining flour. Mix on low speed until there are no longer any streaks of dry flour.
Divide batter between prepared cake pans. Level batter. Bake for 28-30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Allow cake to cool in pan for 5 minutes before unmolding. Allow cakes to cool to room temperature on wire rack.

Espresso Swiss Buttercream

In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together egg whites and sugar. Place bowl of a pot of simmer water to create a double boiler. Make sure simmering water does not touch the bowl. Heat sugar egg mixture until it reaches a temperature of 160ºF, whisking often to ensure even heating. Alternatively, if you don't have a thermometer, heat until all the sugar has melted. You can test this by rubbing mixture between your fingers. The mixture should be smooth. You should not be able to feel the granules of sugar.
Return bowl to stand mixer. Using a whisk attachment, beat mixture at medium speed until it has cooled to 75ºF (about room temperature). Add in espresso powder and salt. Reduce speed to low and add butter one tablespoon at a time. Once all the butter has been added, increase speed to medium-high and continue to beat until buttercream is light and fluffy.

Assembly

Once cake is cooled, slice each cake into two equal layers. To build the cake, place one layer on a serving platter or cake turntable. Spread a layer of espresso buttercream. Place another cake layer on top and repeat until you have the fourth cake layer on top. Spread a thin layer of buttercream around the sides of the cake to seal in the crumbs (crumb coat). Place in the fridge and allow to chill for 15 minutes to set the buttercream.
If desired, coat cake with another layer of buttercream. Drizzle melted chocolate along sides of the cake. Place remaining buttercream in a pipping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe large stars on top surface of cake. Decorate with coffee beans.
Keep cake chilled until ready to serve. Allow cake to warm to room temperature before eating.

Notes

Chocolate cake can be baked in advance. Cool to room temperature, then tightly wrap in plastic wrap. Keep cake in the freezer for up to two weeks. To defrost frozen cake, allow to thaw at room temperature overnight.

Nutrition