Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut up
1 + ¼ cup brewed coffee (divided)
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
2 teaspoon coffee extract
Extra butter & flour for the baking pans
Whipped Cream:
1L / 4 cups whipping cream
2 tbsp granulated sugar
Toppings:
Coffee or espresso grounds
Dulce de leche caramel sauce
Bourbon cherries
Mascarpone cheese
Whipped cream
Fresh mint
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Lightly butter and flour two 9-inch round baking pans, tapping out excess flour.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking soda and salt.
- In a medium pot, bring the butter, 1 cup coffee and cocoa powder to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve all of the butter. Once dissolved, remove from heat.
- Pour the butter mixture into the flour mixture and whisk well.
- Then, add the sour cream, the eggs and coffee extract, and beat well with a large whisk. Use a spoon or spatula for a final stir to ensure all of the dry ingredients are incorporated.
- Divide cake batter evenly between the two 9-inch round pans.
- Bake until the cake springs back when pressed in the center, about 30-35 minutes.
- Remove the cake from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Remove the cakes from each pan once cooled.
- Once cakes are completely cooled, make the whipped cream by adding 1L (4 cups) whipping cream and 2 tbsp granulated sugar to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on high until stiff peaks form.
- Keep whipped cream stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- To create the layer cake, place one of the cakes on a cake plate or stand and brush with about 2 tbsp brewed coffee. Then spread 2 cups whipped cream on the first layer, leaving about half inch around the edge. Place the next cake layer on the whipped cream; brush the top of this cake layer with about 2 tbsp coffee and then spread 2 cups whipped cream leaving about half inch from the edge.
- Finally sprinkle the top layer with ground coffee or espresso.
- Serve cake slices with a variety of toppings! Some favourite combinations are: whipped cream & dulce de leche; bourbon cherries & fresh mint: mascarpone cheese, dulce de leche & cherries.
- Cake Recipe Adapted from: https://www.oprah.com/food/aunties-chocolate-cake-with-chocolate-pecan-frosting
TIPS
- Create a ‘toppings bar’ and let everyone choose their own!