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Chocolate Espresso Cake Recipe and Basic Cake Decorating Tips

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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

cake recipe collage

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.

chocolate cake recipe_edited-1

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!

espresso chocolate cake recipe

 Chocolate Espresso Cake Recipe

Yield: 12

Chocolate Espresso Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting

espresso chocolate cake recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1‑1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 4 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate, melted
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon coffee extract
  • 1 cup brewed coffee (at room temperature)
  • For Chocolate Frosting:
  • 2 sticks of butter(softened)
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp chocolate extract
  • 4 TBSP heavy cream
  • For vanilla frosting (if desired for piping on flowers, etc)
  • 1 stick butter (softened)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 TBSP heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Spray bottoms of two 9-inch round cake pans with non stick spray. Sprinkle with flour until lightly coated and set aside.
  3. Beat the butter and sugars in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Add melted chocolate, sour cream and coffee extract; beat until blended.
  6. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl
  7. Add flour mixture alternately with coffee, beating well after each addition.
  8. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
  9. Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
  10. Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes.
  11. Loosen edges by running a sharp knife around the pan and invert layers onto rack to cool completely.
  12. Prepare Frosting: For chocolate frosting, beat 2 sticks of butter(softened) until light and fluffy. Add in 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp chocolate extract, and 4 TBSP heavy cream. Beat slowly at first until well mixed, then beat on high 1 to 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
  13. For vanilla frosting, beat 1 stick of butter(softened) until light and fluffy. Add in 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 TBSP heavy cream. Beat slowly at first until well mixed, then beat on high 1 to 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
  14. 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.

64 thoughts on “Chocolate Espresso Cake Recipe and Basic Cake Decorating Tips”

  1. 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.

    Reply
  2. 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.

    Reply
  3. 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.

    Reply
  4. 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.

    Reply

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