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Caramel Mocha Cake

This Caramel Mocha Cake is a an incredibly moist chocolate cake topped with a coffee caramel frosting. It's super simple to make and your guests will be begging you for the last slice!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 12 slices
Author: Emily - My Messy Kitchen

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup salted butter
  • 2 eggs room temperature
  • 4 tbsp dark chocolate cocoa powder
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp instant coffee
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar

For the frosting:

  • ½ cup salted butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup whole milk room temperature
  • 1 tbsp instant coffee
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions

For the cake:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a 9×13 inch pan. In a large bowl add the flour, sugar, and salt. 
  • In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter. Add in cocoa and water and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Once boiling, remove from heat and stir in the instant coffee. Pour over the flour mixture, beating well until combined.
  • Add buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, vanilla and vinegar. Mix well.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. When the cake is done, pull from the oven and allow to cool while you will make the frosting.

For the frosting:

  • Warm the milk in the microwave for 20 seconds. Stir in the instant coffee and set aside. In a medium pot melt the butter and brown sugar, stirring continually. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes then remove from heat. Stir in the milk and return to the stove to boil for 1 more minute. Remove from heat and stir in the salt and vanilla extract. Let this mixture cool for 10 minutes.
  • In a medium bowl sift the powdered sugar. Poor the mixture from the stove over top. Beat with a hand held mixer (or in the bowl of a stand mixer) until smooth.
  • Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting on the cake. If the frosting sits and stared to get stiff, beat for 30 seconds and it will smooth out! Use a sifter to sprinkle on cocoa and powdered sugar. Slice and enjoy!