Chocolate Espresso Layer Cake Recipes

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, then line with parchment paper and butter the parchment. Set aside.
• Using an electric mixer, beat together the brown sugar and butter in a mixing bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat on high speed until light and fluffy.
• In a small bowl, combine the instant espresso with just enough water to make a paste (approximately 1/4 cup); stir until the espresso has dissolved. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
• Turn the mixer to low speed and add the flour mixture in parts, alternating with the sour cream. Mix in the dissolved espresso. Stir in 1 cup boiling water until just blended. Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then turn them out onto racks and allow to cool completely.
• For the vanilla buttercream: Beat the butter and shortening with an electric mixer until fluffy, then slowly add the vanilla. Add in the confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time, then turn the mixer to medium-high speed and beat for 5 minutes more.
• To assemble: Level off the top of each cake layer with a serrated knife. Smear about 1 tablespoon buttercream on a cake plate to help secure the cake, then top with one of the cake layers. Add approximately 1 cup buttercream and spread it evenly around the top. Add a second cake layer and another cup of buttercream, again spreading all around to cover the top of the cake. Add the final cake layer. Working with small amounts of buttercream, cover the sides and top of the cake. Add interesting patterns with buttercream combs, or texture the outer part with a spatula. Serve immediately or cover to keep fresh.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick spray. Line the base and sides with parchment paper.
• For the cake: Cream the butter and brown sugar together in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated before adding the next and scraping the sides of the bowl after each addition. Mix in the vanilla.
• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl to combine. Add about half of the flour mixture to the mixer bowl and mix to combine. Scrape the bowl well, then add the buttermilk and mix on low speed to combine. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix on low speed to incorporate.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread into an even layer. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Cool the cake for 10 minutes in the pan, then unlock and remove the sides of the pan and remove the parchment strips. Cool the cake completely on a cooling rack placed over a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• For the glaze: Put the chocolate and espresso powder in a medium bowl. Heat the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, then pour the cream over the chocolate. Let sit for 30 seconds, then stir until the mixture is smooth. Transfer to a measuring cup with a pour spout.
• Start by pouring glaze around the edges of the cake, then continue pouring and working towards the center of the cake until it is covered. Let the glaze set for 5 minutes, then gently transfer to a serving platter or cake stand (do not let the glaze set fully on the cooling rack). Once the glaze is set, the cake is ready to serve.

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two 8-inch nonstick cake pans with parchment paper.
• Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, espresso, coconut oil, vanilla and eggs. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add in the wet mixture, whisking until just combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake on the center rack until puffed, the sides pull away from the edges and an inserted cake tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven, immediately cover them with clean kitchen towels and press any domed portions down¿careful, it's hot! (This will help make sure that you don't have to level the cakes.) Allow the cakes to cool in their pans to room temperature. When completely cooled, invert onto plates.
• For the icing: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the cream cheese and butter on medium speed, about 2 minutes. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure everything is evenly mixed. Add the peanut butter and mix on medium speed to combine. Again, turn the mixer off. Mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on LOW speed (or else you'll have powdered sugar everywhere!). Add the vanilla and mix once more.
• Transfer the icing to a piping bag. Ice the top of one cake layer, using a circular motion, starting from the outside and gradually moving to the center; do not ice the sides of the cake. Set the second cake layer on top of the first and repeat with the icing; again, do not ice the sides. Drag the back of a spoon in a side-to-side motion across the icing on top to lend a beautifully textured look to the icing.
• Sprinkle the iced cake with the chopped peanuts. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.