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Last Updated on December 18, 2020 by
This cake recipe was inspired by a product I received at no charge but all opinions expressed here are my own.
I love to bake but cakes are one of those things that I am a little hesitant about making. Sure, if it is just a basic cake recipe that you bake and eat...I can do that! I can beat batter, pour and use my oven. What REALLY scares me are the cakes I have to dump out of the pan that they baked in and then DECORATE. I have a serious problem with decorating things with frosting. Even cupcakes. Yes, I dislike making something as simple as a cupcake! So, when I got the chance to work with Cake Boss on a review I decided to challenge myself a little bit and choose cake decorating tools. Guess I'm a glutton for punishment! I decided to try my hand at a relatively easy cake recipe that would require that I spread a bit of frosting on it before eating it. As long as it is just for my family I have no one to impress, right? They will happily eat cake whether it is pretty or not!
Cake Boss Event at Micheal's
If you are an avid baker you might be interested to know that Cake Boss products are available at Micheal's just in time for holiday baking. You can learn more about Cake Boss products and discover your reason to bake by checking them out at Michael's on Saturday September 28th, 2013 from 10 a.m. - 12 noon at all U.S. stores. Take a minute to spin the "I Love to Bake" Cake Roulette wheel, take a glance at the variety of products they offer, and receive a complimentary recipe card. You can also view some videos featuring Buddy Valastro and his Cake Boss products if you need a little inspiration for your baking.
Below is my decorated chocolate espresso cake recipe! I know it is not the most impressive looking design but considering this was my first attempt at using a frosting bag and tips the process went very smoothly! My daughter has decided that we are making her birthday cake this year and she wants to decorate it herself! The cake was delicious and we had a lot of fun exploring the different tips.
If you are a newbie cake decorator like I am, here are a few simple tips that I came up with as I went through the decorating process:
1. Start with homemade frosting! Honestly, if you are going to decorate a cake don't waste your time on store bought frosting. It tastes rather gross and is made of not so great ingredients. The frosting recipe below is easy to make and takes only a few minutes.
2. Before making frosting, make sure ingredients are at room temperature. It is impossible to beat cold butter. Honestly. Don't be impatient...just take the stuff out and leave it on the counter for a while.
3. Make sure the cake is completely cool. This will take hours! Plan accordingly. If you frost a warm cake you will end up with melted frosting that has crumbs in it. Be patient!
4. Make more frosting than recommended. I am not the greatest at smoothing on thin frosting. I made up a little extra and the peace of mind was worth it. And I get to eat the leftover frosting right off the spoon. That is so totally worth it!
5. Buy the right tools: I have tried frosting things using a zip lock bag with the end cut off and it just does not come out looking right. Invest in a decent set of tips and disposable bags for frosting. I usually detest disposable anything but if you are only frosting one or two cakes a year it is worth it to not have to clean the bag out when you are all done. And frosting a cake with a butter knife is nowhere near as easy as frosting one with a large frosting knife. The process goes a LOT smoother!
So, now that you are ready to start baking I will share my cake recipe with you as well as the recipe I used for the frosting. I made some chocolate frosting and some vanilla just so I could see the contrast between the two when I decorated it. Good luck with your own frosting adventures and if you have a cake recipe you really love please feel free to share! OH, and if you are interested in winning a set of these cake decorating tools from Cake Boss just scroll down below the recipe for the giveaway! Happy baking!
Chocolate Espresso Cake Recipe
Chocolate Espresso Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1‑½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 4 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate, melted
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon coffee extract
- 1 cup brewed coffee (at room temperature)
- For Chocolate Frosting:
- 2 sticks of butter(softened)
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon chocolate extract
- 4 tablespoon heavy cream
- For vanilla frosting (if desired for piping on flowers, etc)
- 1 stick butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spray bottoms of two 9-inch round cake pans with non stick spray. Sprinkle with flour until lightly coated and set aside.
- Beat the butter and sugars in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add melted chocolate, sour cream and coffee extract; beat until blended.
- Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl
- Add flour mixture alternately with coffee, beating well after each addition.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
- Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
- Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes.
- Loosen edges by running a sharp knife around the pan and invert layers onto rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: For chocolate frosting, beat 2 sticks of butter(softened) until light and fluffy. Add in 3 ½ cups powdered sugar, ½ cup cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoon chocolate extract, and 4 tablespoon heavy cream. Beat slowly at first until well mixed, then beat on high 1 to 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- For vanilla frosting, beat 1 stick of butter(softened) until light and fluffy. Add in 2 cups powdered sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoon heavy cream. Beat slowly at first until well mixed, then beat on high 1 to 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- When cake is cool, frost as desired including a thin layer between the 2 halves of the cake.
The Giveaway
I have been given permission to give one of my readers a set of cake decorating tools like the ones shown above. You will receive a set of decorating tips, disposable frosting bags and a frosting knife. This is a Giveaway Tools contest so follow the directions in the form below to enter!
Disclaimer: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”: I received product samples in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Some of the links in this post may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
By entering this giveaway, you release this blog and it’s owner from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, mis-delivery or acceptance of any prize.
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She has two college aged kids, one husband and more pets than she will admit to. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire but left her career in science to become a stay at home mom. Years of playing with LEGO and coloring with crayons had her craving a more grown up purpose to her life and she began blogging and freelance writing full time. You can learn more about her HERE.
Kenin Bassart
This looks like an awesome recipe! I'll have to save it for my next special event.
Blessie Nelson
I really like the Cake Decorating Turntable, Cream with "I Love Frosting" Decal!
Cheryl Abdelnour
I LIKE THE 3-Piece Round Cake Pan Set, Silver.
Jessica Grigsby
I love the 4-Piece Dessert Plate Set, "Basic" Pattern with Quotes
Nicole
That cake looks so scruptious! have a great weekend!
Diane Balch
I am not much of decorator myself. You did a great job. terrific tools. Thanks for sharing your cake with us on foodie friday.
Desiree H
I like the 12-Cup Covered Muffin Pan, Gray with Red Silicone Grips!!
Awesome giveaway, love Buddy. Thanks
Sue Ellison
I also like the 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set, Basic Pattern.
latanya
10-Piece Santa & Heart Bakeware Set
Mer
I also like the fondant rolling pins.
Susan Berry
I LOVE the 6-Cup Flower Cakelette Pan! I could make some cute things with that!
Cheryl F.
I like the the Cake Boss Specialty Nonstick Bakeware 12-Cup Flower Molded Cookie Pan, Gray.
Tari Lawson
I like the Cake Decorating Turntable, Cream with "I Love Frosting" Decal .
Cynthia C
Every time I decorate a cake I wish I had a turntable, so I would love to have the Cake Decorating Turntable
Sharon Harris Hively
I just broke my last spoonula (don't ask!) so I would really be happy to get the 2-piece spoonula set, in red, of course.
Diane
I have never heard of a spoonula!
Margot C
How cool is that, and your cake is so darling!
I could use a Cake Decorating Turntable
Katherine
I would like 6-Cup Square Cakelette Pan, Gray
debbie
6 cup heart cakelette pan gray
beth
I like the mini pie pan
julie murphy
10 x 15 cookie pan with drop zones
Lindsey Petersen
I am pretty sure I need more of this in my life.
Diane
I would like more, too but my husband and kids ate it all!
Adelina Priddis
The flowers turned out great! Thank you for sharing the tips and recipe on Foodie Friday
Andrea Williams
Well, they don't have anything on there that will make me automatically bake like Buddy so I guess I would have to choose a Winter Cake Kit. It all looks like fun.
beth shepherd
2-Piece Heart and Flower Molded Cookie Pan Set, Gray
Samantha Daleo
I would love to also get the 10-Piece Santa & Heart Bakeware Set
Erika P
I'd also like to get the circus cake kit to try out!
Amy Martin
Well, I'd really like it all. But the icing spatula and the cake lifter would be first
Andrea
I loved the 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set, Basic Pattern and everything else!! Fell like a kid browsing the web 🙂
R.A.Y
Wowowow I browse and found a Chef's Torch, want it.
oh and I like Beechwood Recipe Box too!!
McKim
Mini Pie Pan, Gray
Susan Chester
The 9-Inch Springform Pan, Gray with Red Silicone Grips would be handy!
Susan Christy
I like the 2-Piece Spoonula Set, Red
Diane baum
Love the cake decorating turntable
Natalie yeoman
Fondant cutter
Melissa Nagy
I like the 4-Piece Mini Springform Pan Set in gray. I recently acquired my husband's grandmothers recipes and she has a ton of wonderful looking recipes that require springform pans and I don't have any.
Patty White
I like the Pink Gift Cookie Jar
Linda Peavy
6-Cup Round Cakelette Pan is awesome!
deana c
I also like the 2-Piece Heart and Flower Molded Cookie Pan
Theresa
I like the cake decorating turntable. It's on my Christmas wishlist!
Jill Myrick
I like the 9in. Fluted Mold Pan.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Melinda Stephens
I like the 2-Piece Heart and Flower Molded Cookie Pan Set.
Jenny S
6 cup mini loaf pan is something I love. I'd love to make a bunch of different breads.
Nicole D.
I like the 12-Cup Whoopie Pie Pan, Gray! Would love to make whoopie pies!
Debra Hall
6-Cup Mini Loaf Pan, Gray
Michelle Tucker
I like the 11-Inch by 17-Inch Cookie Pan with Drop Zones, Gray with Red Silicone Grips.
Lisa Garner
I want to try the 6-Cup Heart Cakelette Pan, Gray
Laurie Emerson
I like the Flour Sifter with Red Silicone Grips.
Beverly Metcalf
That cake looks delicious. I like their Cake Decorating Turntable, too. Thanks for this contest.
Breanne
I like the 8-Piece Daisy Fondant and Cookie Cutter Set, Red
Miranda Ward
the Cake Decorating Turntable, Cream with “I Love Frosting” Decal
[email protected]
john hutchens
I like the 10-Piece Santa & Heart Bakeware Set
Mihaela Day
I love the 9-Inch Pie Baker, White 🙂
Jennifer Reed
I am in need of some mixing bowls and I really like the 7-Piece Mixing and Prep Bowl Set, Basic Pattern from the Cake Boss site.
Roxann
I like the 4-Piece Measuring Cup Set with Red Silicone Grips.
susan smoaks
i like the 9-Inch by 13-Inch Cake Pan, Gray
Suzanne
I like the "4-Piece Mini Springform Pan Set, Gray"
Francine Anchondo
6-Cup Heart Cakelette Pan, Gray
Sherry Conrad
I like the 12-Cup Molded Round Braid Cookie Pan, Gray
Vikki Billings
I really love the 10-Piece Santa & Heart Bakeware Set
Samantha
i love the 9-Inch Springform Pan, Gray!
Trisha McKee
I love the Cookie Jar, "Pink Gift"
Charlene Kuser
I like the 9-Inch Springform Pan, Gray with Red Silicone Grips