cubano espresso dark chocolate cake

Name: Cubano Espresso Dark Chocolate Cake
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 35 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ## CAKE; 3 cup(s) sugar; 3 cup(s) all-purpose flour; 1 1/8 cup(s) dark cocoa; 2 1/4 teaspoon(s) baking powder; 2 1/4 teaspoon(s) baking soda; 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt; 1 teaspoon(s) espresso powder or instant coffee; 3 - eggs; 1 1/2 cup(s) milk; 3/4 cup(s) vegetable oil; 3 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cup(s) cold strong coffee; ## FROSTING; 1 cup(s) butter, softened; 15 ounce(s) canned dulce de leche; 1/2 cup(s) shortening; 1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract; 2 teaspoon(s) salt; 2 pound(s) powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon(s) meringue powder; 2 tablespoon(s) milk

(1 RATING)

595 Pinches 17 Photos

Amy Freeze

Avon Park, FL

Updated on Mar 26, 2021

This cake recipe was written for my son to bake at the county youth fair. He was named a top 10 and auctioned it off for top dollar.

Rate

Slice of Cubano Espresso Dark Chocolate Cake on a plate.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This chocolate cake is made to impress! The cake itself is tender and rich. Dark chocolate and espresso are perfectly paired in this cake. The coffee flavor is subtle. Alone, the cake is great but paired with the rich frosting you have a bakery-quality cake. The frosting is creamy and has a slight caramel flavor from the dulce de leche. It really adds richness to the frosting. This is actually an easy cake to make, but it does take some time. It would be perfect for a special occasion.

— The Test Kitchen

prep time 45 Min

cook time 35 Min

method Bake

yield 8-12 serving(s)

Ingredients

CAKE
3 cups sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/8 cups dark cocoa
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon espresso powder or instant coffee
3 - eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups cold strong coffee
FROSTING
1 cup butter, softened
15 ounces canned dulce de leche
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons salt
2 pounds powdered sugar
1 tablespoon meringue powder
2 tablespoons milk

How To Make cubano espresso dark chocolate cake

Test Kitchen Tips

The frosting recipe is to ice the cake. If you want to pipe frosting you may have to make some extra.

Step 1

For the cake: In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, 1 1/2 tsp salt, baking soda, baking powder, and espresso powder.

Step 2

In a small bowl, combine eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla.
Step 3

Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and blend on high for 2 minutes.
Step 4

Whisk in cold coffee.
Step 5

Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9" cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Step 6

Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing cakes and cooling completely.
Step 7

For the frosting: In a mixing bowl, combine butter, 3/4 c. dulce de leche, shortening, salt, and vanilla. Blend until smooth.
Step 8

Add meringue powder and half of the powdered sugar. Blend on low until completely incorporated.
Step 9

Add remaining powdered sugar and blend completely. Add milk as needed to loosen.
Step 10

Turn mixer on high and whip for 4-5 minutes.
Step 11

With a cake leveler or knife removed the domed top of each cake. Spread frosting evenly between the layers and over the entire cake as a crumb coat. Refrigerate until set. Use remaining frosting to cover and decorate cake.
Step 12

Microwave remaining dulce de leche and drizzle over cake. Decorate with additional chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips.
Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Discover More

Comment & Reviews

Just A Pinch Sweepstakes