Ira Levin, Rosemary’s Baby
She made Guy chicken Marengo and vitello tonnato, baked a mocha layer cake and a jarful of butter cookies.
Mocha Layer Cake
Savor the rich and delicious flavors of this Easy Mocha Layer Cake. With its moist coffee-infused cake and creamy mocha frosting, it's a perfect treat for coffee and chocolate enthusiasts. This recipe serves 10-12 people and can be prepared in just 45-50 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Mocha Cake:
- 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Mocha Frosting:
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 3 and 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee granules dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk to reach desired consistency
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, coffee mixture, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until the batter is smooth and well combined. It will be thin, but that’s okay.
- Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the mocha frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
- Add the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, dissolved coffee granules, and vanilla extract to the butter. Mix until well combined. Add the heavy cream or milk a little at a time until you reach your desired frosting consistency.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a layer of mocha frosting on top of one of the cakes.
- Place the second cake on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining mocha frosting.
- Decorate the cake as desired, with chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, or coffee beans.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy your delicious Easy Mocha Layer Cake!
Notes
This delightful cake is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any time you want to satisfy your coffee and chocolate cravings.