Mocha Cake with Kahlua Buttercream is a fluffy and moist coffee-flavored cake that’s just as irresistible as it sounds. The whole thing is smothered in rich and creamy coffee buttercream spiked with Kahlua liqueur. Truly a cake for coffee lovers!
Easy Mocha Cake With Kahlua Buttercream Frosting
The second I snuck a taste of the cake batter for this decadent mocha cake, I knew I was onto something great. It tasted just like coffee ice cream!
I’d adapted my favorite moist vanilla cake recipe using coffee in place of milk and amped up the flavor with espresso powder. The flavor was deep, intense, and everything I’d hoped it would be.
The cake itself came out unbelievably moist and tender, with rich coffee flavor throughout. If you’ve ever had a mochaccino before, you’ll know that mocha is a sort of chocolatey coffee vibe. This mocha cake ticks every box, topped with the most ridiculously creamy buttercream spiked with Kahlua coffee liqueur.
Why You’ll Love This Cake Recipe
Coffee, Kahlua, and cake: what’s not to love? Besides, well… everything, here are the top reasons you’ll be crazy about this mocha cake with Kahlua frosting:
- Quick and easy. This sheet cake recipe comes together in a single bowl and bakes up quickly. Plus, frosting your cake is a breeze!
- A coffee lover’s dream. The espresso flavors in this mocha cake are quite intense. If coffee is your thing, this cake is right up your alley! The crumb is rich and buttery, enhanced with espresso powder and brewed coffee.
- Kahlua frosting. Then, there’s the creamy Kahlua buttercream frosting, filled with even more espresso flavor and spiked with coffee liqueur. Heaven!
Key Ingredients
In addition to your usual baking staples like flour, eggs, and sugar, this mocha cake gets its distinct flavor from a few key ingredients, mentioned below. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe amounts and details.
- Oil – Almost all of my cakes and cupcake recipes trade butter for vegetable oil. The cake comes out super soft and moist since the oil stays liquid at room temperature.
- Sour Cream – Secret weapon number 2 for ultra-moist cakes. You don’t really taste the sour cream in the final cake, but it adds loads of moisture to the crumb.
- Espresso Powder – Make sure to use powder and not granules. If you can’t find espresso powder, finely ground coffee will also work. You can find this product near the instant coffee in the grocery store.
- Brewed Coffee – I used cold brew coffee in this recipe as I almost always have it in my fridge. Otherwise, brew a strong batch of instant coffee or espresso.
- Butter – I recommend using unsalted butter. If you’re using salted butter, consider leaving out any added salt so that the frosting doesn’t come out salty.
- Kahlua – I flavor this coffee buttercream with additional espresso powder, a dash of vanilla, and a splash of Kahlua coffee liqueur.
What Is Kahlua?
Kahlúa is a brand of Mexican coffee liqueur made from rum, sugar, and arabica coffee beans. It adds an “adult” coffee-flavored twist to the frosting in this recipe. If you’d prefer to make your frosting without alcohol, I’d recommend this coffee frosting instead.
How to Make a Mocha Cake
We’ll start by preparing this super-easy mocha cake batter. I bake this cake as a sheet cake in a 9×13-inch baking pan. You could also use round pans to make a layer cake if you prefer. See further on for adjusted baking times for different pan sizes.
- Combine the wet ingredients. While your oven preheats, beat the sugar together with oil, eggs, and vanilla, followed by the sour cream.
- Add the dry ingredients. Next, you’ll add the flour with the other dry ingredients, alternating with the brewed coffee until the batter is well combined. Be careful that you don’t overmix, though.
- Bake. Transfer the cake batter to your 19×13-inch pan, and bake at 350ºF for 28-32 minutes. Afterward, take the cake out of the oven and leave it to cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting
I debated over the frosting for this mocha cake. I’d first planned to use my favorite chocolate buttercream frosting to really play up the chocolate and coffee flavors. Then, I settled on a coffee buttercream like the one I use in my chocolate mocha cake with the idea to bring Kahlua into the mix. And WOW. This Kahlua coffee frosting came out amazing! It was also very easy to make:
- Beat the butter. I like to use cold butter straight from the fridge. It takes some extra whipping to get the butter soft but trust me, it’s worth it! Cut the butter into pieces and then give it a good whip in your mixer. After about 3-5 minutes, it should be fluffed and lighter in color.
- Combine and whip. Add half the powdered sugar, followed by the espresso powder. Once that’s well mixed, add Kahlua, vanilla, and finally, the remaining powdered sugar, followed by heavy cream. Beat the frosting, gradually increasing the speed, until it’s smooth and fluffy.
- Frost the cake. Spread your Kahlua buttercream all over your cooled mocha cake. At this point, you can cut into the finished cake as is, or, check out my ideas below for some easy ways to decorate a mocha cake.
Recipe Tips
Follow these bonus tips for an ultra-moist and fluffy, perfect mocha cake with the creamiest frosting:
- Don’t overmix the cake batter. Overworking the batter deflates the air bubbles needed for a light and fluffy cake. Your mocha cake will end up dense and tough, and no one wants that!
- Make the frosting a day ahead. Not only is it ready to go with a quick whip the following day, but this spiked expresso frosting tastes even better once the coffee and Kahlua flavors have had the chance to develop overnight.
- Adjust the thickness of the frosting by adding additional powdered sugar or heavy cream, one spoonful at a time, to either thicken or thin out the consistency (respectively).
Can I Make This As a Layer Cake Instead?
I’m all about the convenience of a sheet cake, but you can definitely make this mocha cake as a layer cake instead. This recipe makes enough batter to fill three 8-inch round cake pans or two 9-inch round pans (though the layers in a 9-inch cake will be quite thin).
- For an 8” 3-layer cake, divide the batter evenly between three round pans and bake at 350ºF for about 20-24 minutes. See my mocha almond fudge cake for a similar variation.
- For a 9” 2-layer cake, fill two round pans and bake at 350ºF for about 28-32 minutes.
Note that you will also need to double the frosting recipe for a two- or three-tiered layer cake. Any leftover frosting will keep in the fridge, see below for storage details.
More Decorating Ideas
Once frosted, this mocha sheet cake is like a blank canvas that you can decorate in so many ways. I like to top my cake with chocolate sprinkles, or shaved or chopped chocolate. Or, try drizzling over some pourable ganache.
You can be fancy or keep things simple when decorating, it’s totally up to you. If you’d like to dress up your mocha cake, go ahead and get creative with piping extra frosting. I have helpful tutorials on how to use a piping bag and how to use piping tips that walk you through how to create perfect piping swirls and more.
If you’d like to change up the frosting for your mocha cake, other good options are chocolate whipped cream or this chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream.
How to Store a Frosted Cake
This frosted mocha cake stays fresh and moist when stored at room temperature for a couple of days. Make sure that the cake stays covered and airtight for storage. I don’t recommend storing frosted cakes in the fridge unless it’s absolutely necessary, as they tend to dry out. However, here’s the best way to refrigerate and freeze your cake if needed:
- Fridge: If your kitchen is particularly warm, keep your cake covered in the fridge and take it out to serve at room temperature.
- Freezer: I prefer to freeze my cakes before they’re frosted, however, this mocha cake is fine to freeze after it’s been frosted, too. Wrap the baked and cooled cake tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw the cake in the fridge overnight, and bring it to room temperature before serving.
- Frosting: Leftover Kahlua buttercream frosting can be kept airtight at room temperature for 1-2 days, or stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also freeze buttercream for up to 3 months, and defrost it in the fridge. Give the frosting a fresh whip before using.
More Easy Cake Recipes to Try
Print
Mocha Cake with Kahlua Buttercream
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Total Time: 52 minutes
- Yield: 15 slices
- Category: Cake
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Mocha Cake with Kahlua Buttercream is a moist coffee-flavored cake smothered in rich and creamy coffee buttercream spiked with Kahlua liqueur. Truly a cake for coffee lovers!
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 cups (380g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (118ml) vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120g) light sour cream
- 2 3/4 cups (330g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon espresso powder (or finely ground coffee)
- 3 teaspoons (11.2 g) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
- 1 ¼ cups (296ml) strong brewed coffee, cooled
For the frosting:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
- 4 cups (520g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) Kahlua
- 1 ½ tablespoons (22ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well incorporated. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Next mix in the sour cream and beat until well combined.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl combine the remaining dry ingredients and sift together. Add half the dry ingredients, and half the coffee, and beat on low speed just until the flour starts to incorporate. Repeat until all ingredients are added and combined. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir the batter from the bottom to the top to ensure it’s well mixed.
- Pour the batter into a 9-inch by 13-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 28-32 minutes, keeping a careful eye on the baking during the last few minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
For the frosting:
- Cut the butter into pieces. Using the paddle attachment, whip the butter for 5-7 minutes, scraping down the bowl occasionally, and beating until the butter is whipped and fluffy.
- Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and espresso powder and mix on low speed until incorporated into butter. Next, add the Kahlua and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
- Finally, add the last two cups of powdered sugar and the heavy cream. Beat on low speed until the sugar is incorporated then increase speed to medium-high and beat for 3 minutes to whip the frosting. Spread over cooled cake. Top with sprinkles.
Notes
- If you’d prefer to make your frosting without alcohol, I’d recommend this coffee frosting instead.
- Test the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, you cake is done.
Storing
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- Fridge: If your kitchen is particularly warm, keep your cake covered in the fridge and take it out to serve at room temperature.
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- Freezer: I prefer to freeze my cakes before they’re frosted, however, this mocha cake is fine to freeze after it’s been frosted, too. Wrap the baked and cooled cake tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw the cake in the fridge overnight, and bring it to room temperature before serving.
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- Frosting: Leftover Kahlua buttercream frosting can be kept airtight at room temperature for 1-2 days, or stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also freeze buttercream for up to 3 months, and defrost it in the fridge. Give the frosting a fresh whip before using.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 59.6 g
- Sodium: 181.7 mg
- Fat: 22.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 79.7 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Protein: 4.1 g
- Cholesterol: 74.1 mg
If I don’t have sour cream. What can substitute it!. Thanks.
plain or Greek yogurt
Can you make this on a jelly roll pan?
I’m sure it can be I’ve never done it you might wanna try lining the pan with parchment paper if you plan to remove it. The baking time will need to be adjusted and likely reduced since the cake would be thinner.
Hello! would it be possible to cut this recipe in half to make a smaller batch? Thanks!
I am sure it would work. For a half recipe use 2 eggs and 2/3 cups coffee and halve the rest of the ingredients
Does the sour cream have to be light or can you substitute regular sour cream?
either will work just fine!
It was my first time making Mocha cake and I was blown away by how it tasted so good!
Amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Hi! Can I use buttermilk instead of sour cream for the cake? I dont have acces of sour cream here where I live. Thank you in advance
I have never tried it myself, so I am not sure sure if it will work out the best. Do you have plain yogurt?
Amazing recipe! I wanted to try out cupcakes but any idea what to preheat to and how long to leave them in?
It should be 350 degrees and bake for 14-18 minutes
I didn’t have any sour cream, so I used same amount of cream cheese about 1/3 milk and a couple squeezes of lemon.. web to same consistency as sour cream. Turned out perfect. I also didn’t have any Kahlua on hand since this is for my coffee shop, so I used our flavored Kahlua Creme coffee in its place, everybody was blown away!
Next I’m going to try to do to a vanilla filling in the middle, like a Kahlua and cream drink!
Thank you for the recipe!
Thank you so much for sharing, I am glad this worked out!
Excellent recipe. I made 2 layers and put the buttercream in the middle and made a chocolate ganache for the top. Turned out amazing!
That sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
Will this recipe work in two 9″ rounds? Or should I be doubling the recipe for a layer cake? (I guess if worse comes to worse, after doubling it, I can just make a triple layer cake in 8″ rounds, no?)
This recipe will work for 2 9inch round. No need to double the cake recipe, but you may need to double the frosting. You can also make a 3 layer 8-inch cake without adjusting the cake recipe. Each layer will be 3/4″-1″ thick
bailey’s irish cream works as a great substitute for kahlúa :•)
this recipe was easy to follow, and a hit! not only is it pretty to look at, the cake was moist and not overly sweet. i think it’ll be great as cupcakes too, for easier sharing. i recommend using cold brew or nice drip coffee because i don’t think my instant coffee (the only thing i had on hand) brought out as much flavor. a great recipe though!
i will for sure be using this recipe again!
Thank you so much! I love the swap with Baileys!
I made this exactly as directed for my daughter’s birthday. She works at Starbucks and everyone loved it (even the non-coffee drinkers)!
So amazing Colleen, thank you so sharing!
If I use vanilla cake mix how does the recipe change?
Hi Leigh, all I can recommend is replacing the liquid (usually water) with brewed coffee, add the espresso powder and 1/2 cup of sour cream. Then use the eggs and oil as indicated on the box. This is a total guess, as I have never made it that way, but I almost always add sour cream to cake mix, and I usually swap out the water for milk or something else like that.
Thank you for your help! I’ll be sure to try your recommendations.
You’re welcome!