This ultra-easy cake recipe is a super dark chocolate cake with a hint of coffee flavor. It's wonderfully delicious! Mocha cake is one of my favorite chocolate cake recipes because it's always perfectly moist and never too sweet.
This mocha cake recipe is a cake recipe that was given to me by my good friend Kit.
Her Aunt Cherie used to make this cake for her when she was growing up! It used to be her go-to birthday cake recipe!
We made this cake one afternoon and I fell in love with so many things about this rich but fluffy and moist cake.
What you are going to love about this recipe
- Minimal Ingredients: It only requires a few easy-to-find ingredients and has minimal instructions.
- Fool-proof: It's impossible to mess up this chocolate cake.
- Always Delicious: I can't think of a time that it hasn't come out moist and delicious.
- Fluffy Mocha Frosting: The mocha cake frosting is so ridiculously fluffy. I love that it's not too sweet! It complements the rich dark chocolate cake perfectly.
PRO-TIP: You can also make this recipe as a sheet cake instead. It is YOUR cake!
Foodology Geek Recipe Tips
Ingredients Needed For Mocha Cake with Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting
- Dry Ingredients: Sugar, all-purpose flour, and cocoa powder.
- Leavening: Baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Wet Ingredients: Eggs, milk, oil, strong brewed coffee, and vanilla extract.
- Frosting: Heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cocoa powder.
How To Make a Mocha Cake
- Get Ready to Bake: Preheat the oven to 350℉. Grease and flour 2 round cake tins.
- Mix: Add ALL of the cake ingredients (except the coffee) to a large mixing bowl. Mix until everything is combined.
- Add strong hot coffee: Then mix everything one more Time.
- Bake: Bake the cake for about 30 minutes. If you have a probe thermometer the internal temperature of the cake should be about 205℉.
- Cooling: Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely before frosting, at least 2 hours.
How to make Mocha Cake Frosting
- Make sure the heavy whipping cream is extra cold.
- Add the ingredients to your mixing bowl. Besat until the frosting is fluffy and has stiff peaks.
FAQs and Variations
- 9 x 13 - inch cake pan: The baking Time may increase slightly for a 9 x 13-inch pan. I find it most accurate to use a probe thermometer to make sure the case is done without a doubt.
If you like this cake, I have a few more dessert recipes that you definitely should try:
Banana Cake
Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A wonderful change of pace from traditional Chocolate, Yellow, or White cakes. This delicious banana cake is great for any occasion from picnics to birthday parties!
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Spiced Apple Cake
Homemade Apple Cake Recipe
This easy cake is an ideal any occasion. It's great for breakfast, can be taken to a potluck, stands on its own as dessert...or is right at home for any coffee break.
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Carrot Cake with Pineapple
Carrot Gold Cake
Gluten-free carrot cake that is super easy to make. This cake has pineapple, walnuts, coconut, and just the right amount of spice. The cake is super moist. I have included notes on how to make this cake vegan as well.
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Vanilla Cupcakes
Ultimate Vanilla Cupcakes
This recipe is from our friend Stef at The Cupcake Project. She is the undisputed queen of cupcakes.
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Car Bomb Cupcakes
St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes
These rich dark chocolate Guinness cupcakes with Bailey's frosting are filled with Jameson's whiskey filling. Top them off with St. Patrick's day cupcake sprinkles. Honestly, I could eat these cupcakes every day. They're moist and chocolaty and the Bailey's frosting is divine.
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Apple Crisp
Easy Apple Crisp
This informal apple crisp is a quick delicious summer dessert. It is perfect for a BBQ.
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Dark Chocolate Mocha Cake
This delicious chocolate mocha cake is perfect for the first-time baker. It is EASY!
Equipment
Ingredients
Chocolate Mocha Cake
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour OR cake flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil or coconut oil
- ¾ cup milk whole or 2%
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee boiling
Chocolate Icing
- 1 cup whipping cream (½ pint)
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 4 tbsp cocoa
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Chocolate Mocha Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350℉
- Grease and flour 2 - 9" round pans (or one 13" x 9" pan).
- Combine all of the ingredients - EXCEPT the coffee. Mix until blended.
- Add the hot coffee. Mix again.
- Bake the cakes for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Approx. 45 mins for 13" x 9" pan)
Whipped Chocolate Icing
- Put all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl with beaters. REFRIGERATE AT LEAST 2 HOURS.
- Beat until there are stiff peaks and the icing is a spreadable consistency.
Laura's Tips + Notes
Refrigerate or keep cool until ready to serve. This is NOT the cake to transport on a hot day! If you want to take it to a potluck, we recommend using a cream cheese icing instead. There are two on the site: Banana Cake and Cinnamon Rolls.
Nutrition
Calories: 488kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 5gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 334mgFiber: 2gSugar: 49gCalcium: 65mgIron: 2.1mg
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Definitely the best mocha cake ever ! Thanks so much! Its definitely my favorite
One of my favorite !
I do love the whipped cream and how it’s so light and complimentary to the cake. Thanks for sharing !
Thank you Lindsey! I'm so happy that you loved this chocolate cake recipe. The whipped cream frosting isn my favorite too!
Just made this cake today and it was DELICIOUS!! Love the whipped frosting as I'm not a buttercream frosting fan.
Thank you. so much, Rachel, for the awesome review. I really love this light and fluffy frosting as well. I am so happy to hear that you loved this cake. 💜
I tried out cake with the above recipe. The cake was very soft and tasty. Thank you.
I ended up making this today for my husband's birthday, (he hates coffee, but loves mocha, go figure!) and it was a hige success! This was a very easy cake to make and turned out perfect!
Emily, Thank you so much for the review! I am so glad his birthday cake turned out great.
Can i use instant coffee? If so what measurement? Thank you
Yes, you can use instant coffee for this. Depending on the brand of instant coffee, measurements may vary. You can use instant coffee or instant espresso. Just follow the measurements specific to your favorite brand and then maybe add just a a little extra so the coffee is strong. I hope that helps. 💜
I made this for my husband's birthday. Cake was too heavy and probably would not make again. ;(
So sorry to hear that Syndi! Is there any thing that maybe I could help with here? I wonder what went wrong.