Espresso 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:

• Accompaniment: fat-free frozen yogurt or raspberry sauce and powdered sugar.
• Preheat the oven 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray and dust with additional cocoa powder, set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flours, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In another bowl, combine the prune puree, egg whites, vanilla, and coffee. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and pour into the prepared cake pan.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake and invert onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into 14 wedges to serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease and flour an 8-inch square baking pan.
• To prepare your frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl at medium speed until smooth.
• Dissolve the instant espresso in milk.
• Add confectioners sugar to cream cheese mixture alternately with milk mixture, beating 1-2 minutes or until blended.
• Remove 1 cup of frosting from bowl and set aside.
• To prepare your cake: Using a mixer (on low speed!!) add eggs to remaining frosting in mixing bowl.
• Add vanilla and beat until blended.
• In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.
• Dissolve espresso granules in milk.
• Add flour mixture to mixing bowl alternately with milk mixture and continue beating 1-2 mins or until well blended.
• Pour cake mixture into pan and bake 30-40mins or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
• Cool cake for 10 minutes and remove from pan.
• Cool cake completely.
• Place cake on serving plate.
• Spread sides and top of cake with frosting that was set aside.
• Place 3 chocolate covered espresso beans on center of cake and place mint leaves on either side of beans, pointing in towards the center of the beans-- as leaves would be on a flower!
• ENJOY!