Mocha Decadence Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan. Line with parchment paper, then grease and flour the pan.
• Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for 4 to 5 minutes, until light and fluffy, scraping down the bowl. On medium speed, add the vanilla, then beat in the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated and the batter is smooth.
• Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. In another bowl or a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the hot water, cocoa powder, and espresso powder until smooth. Add the half-and-half and whisk until smooth. With the mixer on low, add the flour and chocolate mixtures alternately in thirds, starting and ending with the flour. With a rubber spatula, scrape down the bowl to be sure the batter is well mixed.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan. Turn out onto a flat platter or board and frost the top with the Mocha Frosting. Cut in squares and serve.
• Place the chocolate, butter, and espresso powder in a bowl. Heat the cream to simmer and pour it over the chocolate mixture, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is melted. (If the chocolate isn't melted, microwave the mixture for 15 seconds.) Stir in the Kahlua and vanilla and stir until the mixture is smooth. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes only, until cool but not cold.
• Scrape down the bowl and beat the frosting with a handheld mixer on high speed for 15 to 20 seconds only, until the mixture forms soft peaks. (If you overbeat it, it will curdle!) Spread on the cake immediately with a metal spatula.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a square 9-inch baking pan with foil. Grease foil with cooking spray.
• Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth and light. Add egg; beat until smooth. Set cheesecake layer aside.
• Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in cocoa powder and coffee granules.
• Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together onto a large piece of waxed paper. Add all at once to the chocolate mixture; stir until blended. Add vanilla extract. Set 1/3 cup of batter aside in a small bowl; stir in milk. Fold chocolate chips and almonds into the remaining batter.
• Pour larger portion of batter into the prepared pan. Carefully spread cream cheese mixture on top. Drop teaspoonfuls of reserved batter over the cream cheese layer. Run a clean knife through the batter and cheesecake to create swirls.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheesecake is set and a toothpick inserted halfway to the center of the pan comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Steps:

• Make around 35ml espresso using a coffee machine and pour into the base of your cup. Add the drinking chocolate and mix well until smooth.
• Steam the milk with the steamer attachment so that it has around 4-6cm of foam on top. Hold the jug so that the spout is about 3-4cm above the cup and pour the milk in steadily. As the volume within the cup increases, bring the jug as close to the surface of the drink as possible whilst aiming into the centre. Once the milk jug is almost touching the surface of the coffee, tilt to speed up the rate of pour. As you accelerate, the milk will hit the back of the cup and start naturally folding in on itself to create a pattern on the top.

Steps:

• Place chocolate chips, skim milk, and instant espresso powder in a medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pot of simmering water. Stir until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.