Susans Favorite Mocha Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with coffee and sour cream, beating well after each addition. , Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in the chocolate, coffee and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Steps:

• 1. Prepare cake according to package directions, in a greased and floured 9 x 13-inch cake pan. Use the evaporated milk to replace the water, and add in the espresso powder. Bake at 350° for time indicated, usually 24 - 28 minutes. Mine normally takes the full 28 minutes. Cool about 10 minutes in pan; do not remove from pan.
• 2. While cake is cooling, prepare frosting: In a small saucepan, heat together the butter, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and evaporated milk for just a few minutes and stir until well-blended.
• 3. Pour heated mixture over the confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl, and beat well, until smooth and well-blended. Pour immediately over warm cake, spreading evenly.
• 4. Allow cake and frosting to cool to room temperature. Slice and serve.
• 5. To make the Cherry Coke cake: Use a 12-oz can of Cherry Coke in place of the evaporated milk (9 ounces in cake + 3 ounces in frosting). Leave out the espresso powder. Bake exactly as above.

Steps:

• 1. WHITE CAKE: - Blend the shortening and sugar. Add the egg yolks and vanilla. - Add the dry ingredients and the milk. - Beat the egg whites until stiff (in a separate bowl) and fold into the batter. - Make cupcakes using wrappers and filling the cups 1/2 full.
• 2. POWDERED SUGAR FROSTING : - Blend all ingredients. The frosting should be thin but not drippy.
• 3. Spanish Peanuts: Finely chop peanuts (A one cup food processor works great for the peanuts!)
• 4. - Frost the (unwrapped) sides first and then the top of the cupcake. - Press the top down into crushed Spanish Peanuts. Roll the sides.
• 5. QUICK METHOD: Make cupcakes according to instructions on a boxed cake mix. Thin a can of White frosting with milk. (Make sure it is thin, but not drippy) Then roll in the peanuts.