Are you craving a delicious treat that's both comforting and satisfying? Look no further than this decadent chocolate coffee cake! This easy recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned cooks alike. It's the ideal homemade dessert for a cozy evening or a delightful weekend brunch. Forget store-bought cakes; this recipe delivers a moist, rich, and intensely chocolatey experience that will leave you wanting more. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this simple yet extraordinary chocolate coffee cake recipe.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Coffee Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons strong brewed coffee
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Get Started:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This ensures your cake releases easily and prevents sticking.
Make the Cake Batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This combines the dry ingredients evenly, preventing lumps in the final batter.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is crucial for a tender cake; use an electric mixer for best results.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake.
Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven.
Make the Coffee Glaze:
- While the cake is still warm, whisk together the powdered sugar, coffee, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add coffee one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Assemble and Serve:
- Pour the glaze evenly over the warm cake. Let it cool completely before slicing and serving. This allows the glaze to set properly.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Coffee Cake:
- Use good quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing leads to a tough cake.
- Let the cake cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.
- For a richer glaze, add a tablespoon of melted chocolate.
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Variations:
- Add Nuts: Fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for added texture.
- Chocolate Chips: Stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for extra chocolatey goodness.
- Espresso Powder: Add 1 tablespoon of espresso powder to the batter for a more intense coffee flavor.
- Different Glaze: Experiment with other glazes, such as a cream cheese frosting or a simple powdered sugar glaze.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 350
- Fat: Approximately 18g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 10g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 45g
- Sugar: Approximately 25g
- Protein: Approximately 4g
This easy chocolate coffee cake recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It's perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with a delicious and comforting dessert. Enjoy!