Deep coffee flavor, tender crumb, and a smooth chocolate cream kissed with rum.
⏱ Prep Time: 30 minutes
🔥 Bake Time: 28–32 minutes
❄ Chill/Frost: 45 minutes
⏳ Total: ~2 hours
🍽 Servings: 10–12 slices
🛒 Ingredients
Mocha Cake Layers
-
2½ cups all-purpose flour
-
2½ tsp baking powder
-
½ tsp baking soda
-
½ tsp salt
-
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened (or ¾ cup oil for extra moist)
-
1¾ cups sugar
-
4 large eggs
-
1 tbsp vanilla extract
-
1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
-
¼ cup cocoa powder
-
½ cup milk
Chocolate-Rum Cream Filling
-
1½ cups heavy cream, cold
-
½ cup powdered sugar
-
½ cup melted dark chocolate (cooled)
-
1–2 tbsp dark rum (to taste)
-
1 tsp vanilla
Optional Ganache (Top)
-
½ cup heavy cream
-
¾ cup dark chocolate chips
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Cake
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
-
Grease and line two 8-inch pans
-
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda & salt
-
Cream butter & sugar until fluffy
-
Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla
-
Mix cocoa into coffee
-
Add dry ingredients alternating with coffee & milk
-
Divide batter evenly
2️⃣ Bake
-
Bake 28–32 minutes until toothpick comes out clean
-
Cool completely before filling
3️⃣ Chocolate-Rum Cream
-
Whip cream to soft peaks
-
Beat in powdered sugar
-
Fold in melted chocolate, rum & vanilla
-
Chill 20 minutes for stability
4️⃣ Assemble
-
Spread chocolate-rum cream between layers
-
Optional: pour warm ganache over top
-
Chill 30 minutes before slicing
🍽 Texture & Flavor
✔ Ultra-moist mocha sponge
✔ Smooth, airy chocolate cream
✔ Elegant coffee-chocolate balance
✔ Bakery-quality layers
⭐ Tips & Variations
-
No alcohol: Replace rum with coffee or cream
-
Extra soft: Use oil instead of butter
-
Stronger mocha: Add 1 tsp espresso powder
-
Cupcakes: Bake 18–20 minutes
-
Make-ahead: Layers freeze beautifully
📊 Nutrition (Approx per slice)
-
Calories: 420
-
Carbs: 48g
-
Fat: 24g
-
Protein: 6g