Soft Chocolate Coffee Cake with Chocolate Buttercream
If you love the combination of chocolate and coffee, this soft and moist Chocolate Coffee Cake is a perfect treat. The cake is rich with cocoa and instant coffee, then finished with a smooth chocolate buttercream made with dark chocolate and cocoa.
It is simple to prepare and makes a wonderful dessert for family gatherings, birthdays, or whenever you are craving something chocolatey.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Coffee Cake
- 120 ml warm milk (½ cup)
- 25 g cocoa powder (3½ tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- 200 g softened butter (¾ cup + 2 tablespoons)
- 200 g sugar (1 cup)
- 3 eggs
- 200 g plain flour (1⅓ cups)
- 1¼ teaspoons baking powder (6 g)
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
For the Chocolate Buttercream
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 120 g softened butter (½ cup)
- 240 g powdered sugar (2 cups)
- 100 g melted dark chocolate
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream, optional
For Assembly
- Sugar syrup, optional
- Milk, as an alternative to sugar syrup
- Chocolate sprinkles, optional
How to Make Chocolate Coffee Cake
1. Prepare the Cocoa Coffee Mixture
Pour the warm milk into a small bowl.
Add the cocoa powder and instant coffee. Mix well until combined, then set aside.
2. Prepare the Cake Batter
Place the softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.
Whisk for about 2–3 minutes, until creamy.
Add the eggs and whisk for another 2 minutes.
Add the plain flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix gently until the dry ingredients are partially incorporated.
Pour in the prepared cocoa and coffee mixture.
Mix gently, then whisk for about 15 seconds to finish the batter.
3. Bake the Cake
Prepare a 20 × 20 cm (8 × 8 inch) baking pan.
Pour the batter into the pan and spread it evenly.
Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C (350°F) for 30–35 minutes.
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
How to Make Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder, instant coffee, and warm water.
Mix well to create a smooth cocoa paste and set aside.
In another bowl, add the softened butter and whisk for about 1 minute.
Add half of the powdered sugar and give it a quick mix.
Whisk for 1–2 minutes, then add the remaining powdered sugar.
Mix again, then add the melted dark chocolate.
Whisk for another 1–2 minutes.
Add the prepared cocoa and coffee paste and continue whisking for 1–2 minutes.
If needed, add 2–3 tablespoons of heavy cream and whisk until the frosting reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
Chill the frosting until the cake has cooled completely.
Assemble the Cake
Once the cake is completely cool, cut it into 2 layers.
If desired, brush the layers with sugar syrup. You can also use milk instead of sugar syrup.
Spread half of the chocolate buttercream over the first cake layer.
Place the second layer on top and cover the top with the remaining frosting.
Finish with chocolate sprinkles if desired.
Final Result
This Chocolate Coffee Cake is soft, moist, rich, and delicious, with a beautiful combination of chocolate and coffee flavors. The creamy chocolate buttercream makes every bite even more indulgent.
It is a simple dessert that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Soft, moist, chocolatey, and delicious — a perfect cake for any occasion. 🍫☕🎂