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Mocha Cake Recipe

Mocha Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Without a doubt, this is the best chocolate cake I've ever made. I share this decadent dessert with everyone I can!—Katherine DeLoach, Visalia, California

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Mocha Cake Recipe

Prep: 40 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling

Yield: 14-16 Servings

40 30 70

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
3 cups packed brown sugar
4 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups brewed coffee, cooled
1-1/3 cups sour cream
FROSTING:
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
6 tablespoons butter, softened
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
6 tablespoons brewed coffee
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4-1/2 to 5-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with coffee and sour cream, beating well after each addition.
Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in the chocolate, coffee and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Yield: 14-16 servings.

Originally published as Mocha Layer Cake in Taste of Home August/September 2006, p68

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Reviews for Mocha Cake

Mocha Cake

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Reviewed on Apr. 22, 2013 by canvasgirl

I've been making this cake since I got the issue it was first printed in and it's become a family favorite. My in-laws call it the "Sin Cake" because of how deliciously decadent it is and because they can't stop eating it! The presentation alone is awesome if you chill it overnight and then slice it into square slices. Everything about it, from the flavors to the texture is spot on! This cake is labor intense, but so worth it. However, after you've made it several times, you know to have coffee made and set aside, cream cheese and butter at room temp., etc. It helps to just measure out all your ingredients first, so putting it together is easier. If you need a recipe to WOW people, this one is it!

Reviewed on Jul. 02, 2012 by sdeb

I would have given this recipe 10 stars if it was based on the cake alone! OUTSTANDING CAKE!! I've made many cakes and this has to be the best to date! My cakes didn't take as long to cook as the directions say. They also sank (just a little) in the center but tested done with a tooth pick. The frosting on the other hand was so bitter in my opinion, I didn't use it. I even tried an additional cup of powdered sugar, needless to say, it didn't help... What a waste! If I were going to try it again, I would use 3 oz unsweetened chocolate & 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate. I made a coconut whipped cream for the filling and top (only), I find no need to frost the sides. I always put my cakes in the refrigerator over night before cutting. Much more flavorful. I hope this helps :)

Reviewed on Jun. 18, 2012 by bakerbuddy2

Wow! what a fabulous cake this is!

I made it for my dad on Father's day, and he absolutly loved it! The frosting is one of the best things about it. I would definetly recommend this to any one.

Reviewed on Feb. 22, 2012 by oceanbrzzz

Outrageously delicious, a melding of chocolate, mocha and cream cheese flavors that is scrumptious! My husband's favorite.

Reviewed on Nov. 20, 2011 by char78

I have made this cake many times, I have family members request it often, it is defintely the best chocolate cake I have ever had.

Reviewed on Jul. 27, 2011 by cara924

A cake so moist and tender topped with a melt-in-your-mouth rich icing. My dad requests this cake for his birthday each year. The icing is my new go-to chocolate icing recipe since it is so rich and holds shape well without sliding off and works just as well if you just remove the coffee. No substitutes needed.

Reviewed on Jul. 27, 2011 by cara924

This cake is so moist and tender and the icing is melt-in-your-mouth rich. My dad reques

Reviewed on Jul. 01, 2011 by BakinGymnast

VERY RICH!! We had this for my birthday party and I made the mistake of eating a big piece- needless to say I had quite a tummy ache afterwards. This is a very big, very rich cake.

Reviewed on Dec. 18, 2010 by tabby1228

I have made this cake several times & each time it was awesome! I have made for family and co-workers, everyone has loved it. My husband just asked me to make it for christmas. I top cake with fresh berries & chocolate shaving. One thing refrigerate after frosting each layer for 30 min. before moving to next layer because icing is a little runny, but it is well worth the extra steps.

Reviewed on Sep. 20, 2010 by bakingfool2

I've made this cake 3 times and each time it was perfect - everyone raved about it. Making it again today for my son's birthday - it's the only cake he wants.

Reviewed on Aug. 29, 2010 by FHOMAS

IT'S LOOKS LIKE A GREAT RECIPE,CAN'T WAIT TO MAKE IT.

Reviewed on Jul. 12, 2010 by levithecat

For some reason, this cake was a flop for me. The cake was too dense. The frosting batch was huge & too runny. I've made good cakes before following Taste of Home recipes.

Reviewed on Jun. 02, 2010 by dro1031

Great cake! Made it for my husband last year and making again this year! The frosting is wonderful...if you are looking for a great mocha flavored cake...choose this one! You will not be dissatisfied.

Reviewed on May. 09, 2010 by vt_pure_angel

Richer then I expected, but AMAZING! Didn't make the frosting sorry

Reviewed on Sep. 07, 2009 by HelpersintheKitchen

I made this cake for my sister's birthday and she LOVED it. My mom requested it for her birthday the next year. I added raspberries, which was delicious. Yum, yum.

Reviewed on Aug. 13, 2009 by gayleanna

A great recipe for chocolate cake my whole family loves it and my husband wants it for his birthday every year now.

Reviewed on May. 21, 2009 by Turvy50

I agree with 3sistersbaking. This is indeed one of the best chocolate mocha cakes, if not the best, I've ever made. It's moist, dense, deep flavor coupled with it's impressive height at completion helps it rate A+ in my book. One tip for those making it for the first time: I frost one layer at a time and refrigerate after each layer for 30 minutes until I reach the top and final frosting layer. I then finely grate the top with bittersweet chocolate and then add a few chocolate curls. As I mentioned, it's a very tasty, impressive cake.

Reviewed on Feb. 01, 2008 by 3sistersbaking

This is one of the best chocolate coffee cakes ever!

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