Best 13 Mocha Layer Cake Recipes

MOCHA LAYER CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE-RUM CREAM FILLING

Steps:

• For filling and topping:
• Stir first 3 ingredients in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and cream comes to simmer. Remove from heat. Add 20 ounces chocolate; whisk until melted and smooth. Whisk in rum and vanilla. Transfer 1 cup warm chocolate mixture to small bowl; whisk remaining 2 ounces chocolate into mixture in bowl and set aside for topping. Cover; let stand at room temperature. Transfer remaining chocolate mixture to large bowl to use as filling; chill until cold and thick, at least 6 hours and up to 1 day.
• For syrup:
• Stir water and sugar in small saucepan over low heat just until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; mix in rum. Cover and let stand up to 1 day.
• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9x9x2-inch metal baking pan. Line bottom with waxed paper; butter paper. Combine vanilla and coffee powder in cup; swirl to dissolve coffee. Sift flour, cocoa, and baking soda into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar in medium bowl until very thick and light in color, about 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla-coffee mixture. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, beating until stiff but not dry. Fold 1/3 of whites into yolk mixture. Fold in half of flour mixture. Fold in half of remaining whites, then remaining flour mixture, then remaining whites. Transfer batter to prepared pan; gently spread to even thickness.
• Bake cake until puffed and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Cool in pan on rack (cake may shrink slightly).
• Cut around pan to loosen cake. Turn out onto work surface; peel off paper. Using long serrated knife, cut cake horizontally in half. Place 1 half, cut side up, on platter. Drizzle half of syrup (about 3 1/2 tablespoons) over. Using electric mixer, beat cold chocolate filling until thick and lighter in color, less than 1 minute. Spread all of filling evenly over cake layer, aligning with sides of cake (filling will be about 1 inch thick). Drizzle remaining syrup over cut side of second cake layer. Place layer, syrup side down, atop filling; press to adhere. Rewarm topping over low heat just until pourable. Pour topping onto top center of cake. Using small spatula, spread topping to edges, being careful to keep it from spilling over. Chill cake up to 1 day, covering loosely with foil or with cake dome after 2 hours.
• Cut cake into 16 squares and serve.

COFFEE-CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH MOCHA-MASCARPONE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cake:
• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 325°F. Generously butter two 9-inch cake pans with 2-inch-high sides; dust with flour, tapping out any excess. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper.
• Sift 2 cups cake flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Add brown sugar and beat until well blended, about 2 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Add flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with buttermilk in 2 additions, beating just until blended after each addition. Gradually add hot espresso-water mixture, beating just until smooth.
• Divide batter between pans; smooth tops. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on rack 15 minutes. Run small knife around sides of pans to loosen cakes. Invert cakes onto racks; lift pans off cakes and remove parchment. Place wire rack atop each cake; invert again so top side is up. Cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap each cake in plastic and store at room temperature.
• For frosting:
• Sift cocoa powder into large bowl; add espresso powder. Bring 1 cup cream to boil in small saucepan. Slowly pour cream over cocoa mixture, whisking until cocoa is completely dissolved, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup cream and sugar; stir until sugar dissolves. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; keep chilled.
• Add mascarpone to chilled cocoa mixture. Using electric mixer, beat on low speed until blended and smooth. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until mixture is thick and medium-firm peaks form when beaters are lifted, about 2 minutes (do not overbeat or mixture will curdle).
• Using pastry brush, brush off crumbs from cakes. Place 1 cake layer, top side up, on platter. Spoon 13/4 cups frosting in dollops over top of cake. Using offset spatula, spread frosting to edges. Top with second cake layer, top side up, pressing to adhere. Spread thin layer of frosting over top and sides of cake. Chill 10 minutes. Using offset spatula, spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake, swirling decoratively. Top with chocolate curls, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; chill. Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes before serving.
• *An Italian cream cheese; sold at many supermarkets and at Italian markets.

MOCHA LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, coffee, oil and eggs; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into two greased and floured 8-in. round baking pans. , Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 5 minutes; invert onto a wire rack. Sprinkle each cake with 1/4 cup chocolate chips; when melted, gently spread chocolate over cakes. Place cakes in the freezer. , Meanwhile, for frosting, in a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in cocoa and extract. Beat in 5 tablespoons coffee, 1 tablespoon at a time until light and fluffy. Spread between layers and over the top and sides of cake. , In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and remaining coffee; stir until smooth. Pour over cake; carefully spread over the top, allowing it to drizzle down the sides.

CARAMEL-PECAN MOCHA LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line the bottoms of two greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment paper; grease paper. In a small bowl, dissolve coffee granules in hot water; cool completely., In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla, then cooled coffee. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. , Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., In a bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form., Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with 1/3 cup caramel topping; sprinkle with 1/3 cup pecans. Spread with half of the whipped cream. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread with the remaining caramel topping and whipped cream. Sprinkle with remaining pecans; top with chocolate curls.

MOCHA LAYER CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE-RUM CREAM FILLING

Steps:

• For filling and topping: Stir first 3 ingredients in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and cream comes to simmer.
• Remove from heat.
• Add 20 ounces chocolate; whisk until melted and smooth.
• Whisk in rum and vanilla.
• Transfer 1 cup warm chocolate mixture to small bowl; whisk remaining 2 ounces chocolate into mixture in bowl and set aside for topping.
• Cover; let stand at room temperature.
• Transfer remaining chocolate mixture to large bowl to use as filling; chill until cold and thick, at least 6 hours and up to 1 day.
• For syrup: Stir water and sugar in small saucepan over low heat just until sugar dissolves.
• Remove from heat; mix in rum.
• Cover and let stand up to 1 day.
• For cake: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Butter 9x9x2-inch metal baking pan.
• Line bottom with waxed paper; butter paper.
• Combine vanilla and coffee powder in cup; swirl to dissolve coffee.
• Sift flour, cocoa, and baking soda into small bowl.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar in medium bowl until very thick and light in color, about 3 minutes.
• Beat in vanilla-coffee mixture.
• Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt in large bowl until soft peaks form.
• Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, beating until stiff but not dry.
• Fold 1/3 of whites into yolk mixture.
• Fold in half of flour mixture.
• Fold in half of remaining whites, then remaining flour mixture, then remaining whites.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan; gently spread to even thickness.
• Bake cake until puffed and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 18 minutes.
• Cool in pan on rack (cake may shrink slightly).
• Cut around pan to loosen cake.
• Turn out onto work surface; peel off paper.
• Using long serrated knife, cut cake horizontally in half.
• Place 1 half, cut side up, on platter.
• Drizzle half of syrup (about 3 1/2 Tablespoons) over cake.
• Using electric mixer, beat cold chocolate filling until thick and lighter in color, less than 1 minute.
• Spread all of filling evenly over cake layer, aligning with sides of cake (filling will be about 1 inch thick).
• Drizzle remaining syrup over cut side of second cake layer.
• Place second layer, syrup side down, atop filling; press to adhere.
• Rewarm topping over low heat just until pourable.
• Pour topping onto top center of cake.
• Using small spatula, spread topping to edges, being careful to keep it from spilling over.
• Chill cake up to 1 day, covering loosely with foil or with cake dome after 2 hours of chilling.
• Cut cake into 16 squares and serve.

FOUR-LAYER MOCHA CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
• Beat sugar and butter for cake together in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy; add eggs and beat until pale in color.
• Mix 1 cup boiling water and cocoa powder together in a separate bowl. Mix into the sugar mixture. Combine baking soda with remaining boiling water and add to the batter. Mix in flour and baking powder until just combined. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes in the pans; run a knife around the edges of the cakes and transfer onto wire racks to cool completely.
• While cakes cool, prepare filling. Combine chocolate chips, sugar, hot water, and coffee granules in a small saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is smooth. Cool completely.
• Whip cream until it starts to thicken; add cooled chocolate mixture and whip until stiff.
• Split each cooled cake layer in two with a knife. Divide filling into 4 equal portions. Spread 1/4 of the filling on the first cake layer, top with another layer, and repeat until you've frosted the top layer. Chill at least 1 hour for best results.

COFFEE-CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH MOCHA-MASCARPONE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cake: Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 325°F Generously butter two 9-inch cake pans with 2-inch-high sides; dust with flour, tapping out any excess. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper.
• Sift 2 cups cake flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Add brown sugar and beat until well blended, about 2 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Add flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with buttermilk in 2 additions, beating just until blended after each addition. Gradually add hot espresso-water mixture, beating just until smooth.
• Divide batter between pans; smooth tops. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on rack 15 minutes. Run small knife around sides of pans to loosen cakes. Invert cakes onto racks; lift pans off cakes and remove parchment. Place wire rack atop each cake; invert again so top side is up. Cool completely.
• For frosting: Sift cocoa powder into large bowl; add espresso powder. Bring 1 cup cream to boil in small saucepan. Slowly pour cream over cocoa mixture, whisking until cocoa is completely dissolved, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup cream and sugar; stir until sugar dissolves. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours.
• Add mascarpone to chilled cocoa mixture. Using electric mixer, beat on low speed until blended and smooth. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until mixture is thick and medium-firm peaks form when beaters are lifted, about 2 minutes (do not overbeat or mixture will curdle).
• Using pastry brush, brush off crumbs from cakes. Place 1 cake layer, top side up, on platter. Spoon 1 3/4 cups frosting in dollops over top of cake. Using offset spatula, spread frosting to edges. Top with second cake layer, top side up, pressing to adhere. Spread thin layer of frosting over top and sides of cake. Chill 10 minutes. Using offset spatula, spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake, swirling decoratively. Top with chocolate curls, if desired.

TRIPLE-LAYER MOCHA CAKE

Steps:

• Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in coffee and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. In another bowl , beat egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form; fold into batter., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, combine confectioners' sugar and cocoa. In another large bowl, cream butter and sugar mixture. Beat in coffee and vanilla. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake.

MOCHA FUDGE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Cake: Melt chocolate; set aside to cool. Cream butter in large mixing bowl; gradually add sugar beating well. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add chocolate and vanilla; Mix well.
• Combine flour, soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in boiling water. (Batter will be thin).
• Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 8 inch cake pans. Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks. Split cake layers in half horizontally to make 4 layers.
• Filling: Beat whipping cream, vanilla and powered sugar together until soft peaks form. If needed add a little more powered sugar to get to thicken.
• Spread filling between layers.
• Frosting: Beat first 5 ingredients together until light and fluffy. Add cream if too stiff. Put icing on top and sides of cakes.

DOUBLE LAYER CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH MOCHA ICING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease and flour two 8 or 9 inch round pans.
• In a large saucepan, melt butter.
• Remove from heat and cool slightly.
• Beat eggs and sugar until light in color, then add melted butter and vanilla.
• Beat in cocoa, flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Add little by little the milk until obtaining a smooth mix (not too runny) Spread batter into prepared pans and bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
• Do not overcook.
• To make frosting (for an 8 inch layer cake): Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl and then add enough milk to get a smooth (not runny, not like concrete) consistency.
• Usually 1/4 cup to start is good.
• Make sure everything is blended together.
• Refrigerate while cake is cooking and cooling, then frost the cake.

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH MOCHA FROSTING AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• For cake:
• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line bottom of 9-inch round cake pan with 2-inch-high sides with parchment paper. Butter and flour sides of pan and parchment. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into medium bowl. Whisk 2/3 cup sugar and cocoa in another medium bowl to blend; add 1/3 cup buttermilk and vanilla and whisk until smooth. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add 2/3 cup sugar; beat until well blended. Beat in egg and egg yolk. Add buttermilk-cocoa mixture; beat to blend. Beat in flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with 1/3 cup buttermilk in 2 additions. Transfer batter to pan.
• Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack 30 minutes. Cut around pan sides. Invert cake onto plate. Peel off parchment paper.
• For frosting:
• Stir espresso powder and vanilla in small bowl until espresso dissolves. Stir chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from over water; cool. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add espresso mixture and corn syrup; blend well, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in melted chocolate, then powdered sugar in 3 additions. If frosting is very soft, freeze until firm enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Spoon 2/3 cup frosting into pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Slice cake in half horizontally. Place bottom layer on 8-inch cardboard round or 8-inch tart pan bottom. Spread 1 cup frosting over bottom cake layer. Top with second cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Reserve 24 almond slices. Press remaining almonds onto sides of cake. Pipe 12 frosting rosettes around top edge of cake, spacing evenly. Place 2 almond slices in each rosette. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours before serving.)

MOCHA LAYER CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray three 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, sugar, stevia, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Fold in dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with coffee in 2 parts.
• Divide batter equally between the cake pans and bake, rotating the pans halfway through baking, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, 17 to 20 minutes.
• Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and let cool completely on a rack, at least 45 minutes.
• In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine peanut butter and butter. Beat on medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl frequently, until very smooth. Add stevia, powdered sugar, and cornstarch and beat until smooth and combined. Gradually beat in cream and vanilla until frosting is light-colored, smooth, and fluffy.
• Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Top with 1/3 of the frosting and spread evenly to the very edge of the cake. Top with the second cake layer and 1/3 of the frosting. Top with the final cake layer and remaining frosting, spreading it smoothly to the edge of the cake, leaving the sides bare. Sprinkle peanuts in a 1-inch wide ring around the top outer edge of the cake, and sprinkle a few in the center.

TWELVE-LAYER MOCHA CAKE

Steps:

• Make cake layers:
• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter 1 sheet pan and line bottom with parchment paper, then butter parchment. Dust with flour, knocking out excess.
• Whisk together yolks, milk, vanilla, and 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl until combined well, then whisk in flour and salt until smooth. (Batter will be thick.)
• Beat whites with an electric mixer until they just hold soft peaks. Beat in remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat until whites just hold stiff peaks.
• Fold one third of whites into batter to lighten, then fold in remainder gently but thoroughly.
• Spread batter evenly in pan and rap against counter to release any air bubbles. Bake until cake is dry to the touch and pale golden, 10 to 11 minutes. (Leave oven on.) Cool completely in pan on a rack.
• Halve cake crosswise, cutting through parchment, to form 2 (10-by 7 1/2-inch) layers.
• Prepare soufflé layers while cake bakes:
• Line second sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Melt chocolate with water, then cool to lukewarm.
• Beat yolks, salt, and 1/4 cup sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until thick and pale, about 5 minutes with a stand mixer or 8 minutes with a handheld. Fold in melted chocolate.
• Beat whites with cleaned beaters until they hold soft peaks. Beat in remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat until whites just hold stiff peaks, about 5 minutes.
• Fold one third of whites into chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold in remainder gently but thoroughly. Spread batter evenly in lined sheet pan.
• Bake soufflé layers:
• Bake until puffed and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out with a few crumbs adhering, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a rack, then cover top of soufflé with 2 layers of damp paper towels. Let stand 5 minutes. Remove towels and cool soufflé completely in pan (soufflé will deflate as it cools). Sift cocoa over soufflé, then loosen edges with a sharp knife.
• Halve soufflécrosswise, cutting through parchment, to form 2 (10-by 7 1/2-inch) layers.
• Make meringue layers:
• Toast hazelnuts, then cool, wrapped in a kitchen towel, and rub off any loose skins.
• Reduce oven to 250°F.
• Finely chop nuts.
• Beat whites with salt and cream of tartar using electric mixer until they just hold soft peaks. Beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat until meringue is stiff but still glossy.
• Line bottom of third sheet pan with parchment. Put small dabs of meringue under corners of parchment to secure to baking sheets.
• Fold nuts into meringue and spread evenly in pan. Bake until set and pale golden, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Halve meringue crosswise, cutting through parchment, to form 2 (10-by 7 1/2-inch) layers. Return to oven and bake until crisp, 45 minutes to 1 hour more. Cool in pan, then peel off parchment.
• Make syrup and assemble cake:
• Bring water, sugar, and espresso powder to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Cool.
• Loosen edges of 1 cake layer with a knife and invert onto a flat platter. Carefully peel parchment from cake and brush with some of syrup. Spread with 1 1/4 cups mocha buttercream.
• Top with 1 meringue layer and spread with 1 1/4 cups coffee buttercream.
• Carefully invert 1 soufflé layer onto buttercream and peel off parchment, then gently spread with 1 1/4 cups coffee buttercream.
• Repeat layering, ending with coffee buttercream (there will be some left over). Chill at least 1 hour (after that, wrap in plastic wrap). Trim all around cake with a long sharp knife to neaten edges. Bring to room temperature (about 1 hour) before serving.