Ohhh this is a showstopper dessert. ☕🍫
Deep chocolate cake + coffee notes + silky chocolate-rum cream = bakery-level indulgence.
Here’s a rich, elegant version that’s perfect for holidays or special dinners.
☕🍫 Mocha Layer Cake with Chocolate-Rum Cream Filling
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chocolate Mocha Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp instant espresso powder (dissolved in 1 cup hot water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Chocolate-Rum Cream Filling
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (melted & cooled slightly)
- 2–3 tbsp dark rum
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
For the Mocha Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp strong brewed coffee (cooled)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2–4 tbsp heavy cream (as needed)
🔪 Instructions
1️⃣ Bake the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Whisk dry ingredients together.
- Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and dissolved espresso.
- Mix until smooth (batter will be thin).
- Divide between pans.
- Bake 30–35 minutes.
- Cool completely.
2️⃣ Make the Chocolate-Rum Cream
- Whip heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold in melted chocolate.
- Stir in rum.
- Chill 20–30 minutes to firm slightly.
3️⃣ Make the Mocha Frosting
Beat butter until fluffy.
Add powdered sugar + cocoa gradually.
Mix in coffee and vanilla.
Add cream until spreadable.
4️⃣ Assemble
- Place one cake layer down.
- Spread chocolate-rum cream evenly (leave ½ inch border).
- Add second layer.
- Frost entire cake with mocha frosting.
Chill 30 minutes before slicing for clean layers.
✨ Optional Upgrades
- Brush cake layers lightly with rum before filling
- Add chocolate curls on top
- Dust with cocoa powder
- Add a thin layer of ganache over frosting for a glossy finish
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- A non-alcohol version
- A mascarpone chocolate-rum filling (ultra luxe)
- Or a triple-layer bakery-style version 🍰
