Mocha Layer Cake with Chocolate-Rum Cream Filling

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Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled

For the Chocolate-Rum Cream Filling:

  • 8 oz (225 g) semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tbsp dark rum
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

For the Mocha Frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tbsp strong brewed coffee (cooled)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tbsp heavy cream (as needed for consistency)

Instructions

1. Make the Cake:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
  4. Stir in cooled coffee until batter is well combined. Batter will be thin.
  5. Pour into pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Let cakes cool in pans 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

2. Prepare the Chocolate-Rum Cream Filling:

  1. Heat cream in a small saucepan until just simmering.
  2. Remove from heat and pour over chopped chocolate in a bowl. Let sit 2 minutes.
  3. Stir until smooth, then add butter and rum. Mix until glossy.
  4. Refrigerate 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened but spreadable.

3. Make the Mocha Frosting:

  1. Beat butter until creamy.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa, mixing well.
  3. Beat in coffee, vanilla, and heavy cream until fluffy and spreadable.

4. Assemble the Cake:

  1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread chocolate-rum cream filling evenly over top.
  2. Place second cake layer on top.
  3. Frost entire cake with mocha frosting, smoothing or swirling as desired.
  4. Optional: Garnish with chocolate curls, cocoa dusting, or espresso beans.

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