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Dark Chocolate Cake (With A Hint Of Coffee)

Happy Friday!  have a deep, dark and delicious chocolate cake, with a hint of coffee for you today!  If you are a chocolate lover, this cake is for you.

Dark, rich, not overly sweet, moist, it’s got it all going on.  It has a hint of coffee, enough to really compliment the chocolate, but if you aren’t a big coffee fan, don’t worry, it’s not overpowering, I promise.     And because this cake was going to be a special delivery to a special birthday girl, I needed to make a few cupcakes to keep around, for, um, “research purposes”.  🙂

So whip up some coffee and let’s bake a dark chocolate cake!

This cake is hardcore when it comes to chocolate.  But it’s also incredibly easy to make.  We are talking as simple as a cake mix (seriously, it is).   I honestly don’t make many cakes from scratch.   Cake mixes are great and so easy to doctor, that I usually go that route.  But this is a variation on one of my all time favorite, easy to make, homemade chocolate cake recipes from Hershey’s.   I’ve made it before, without the coffee, and you can see that post and my how to photos here.

The one thing I always warn people about with this recipe is that the batter is super thin – as in you may think you messed it up it’s so runny, type of thin.   But have faith.  It bakes into this wonderful moist cake, even though it goes into the oven seeming almost like a pan of chocolate water.   And remember, it can also be made into cupcakes (though they are a bit messy to make given how runny the batter is, but they are so worth it).

While I love a fancy cake, for some reason a dark chocolate cake like this, to me, just needs to be kept simple, no piping, nothing fancy, just here I am in all of my chocolate glory.   Like it’s telling you I’m a serious cake, I’m more than just good looks.   I usually top this recipe with just sprinkles or as I did with this, some bittersweet chocolate shavings (made with a bar of bittersweet chocolate and the same peeler I use for my carrots!).

Ready for the recipe? Here you go!

Deep, Dark & Delicious Chocolate Cake With A Hint Of Coffee

This rich, delicious dark chocolate cake, with just a hint of coffee, is perfect for chocolate lovers. Recipe adapted from Hershey's Kitchens.
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Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling coffee

Frosting

  • 6 tablespoons butter or margarine softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/4 cup coffee room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt optional

Instructions

Cake

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans, one 13x9x2-inch baking pan or line a muffin pan with 24 cupcake liners.
  • Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
  • Add eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of electric mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling coffee (batter will be very thin). Mix until well combined.
  • Pour into prepared pans.
  • Bake 30 to 35 minutes for round pans, 35 to 40 minutes for rectangular pan, approximately 20-25 minutes for cupcakes, or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely prior to frosting. (Cake may be left in rectangular pan, if desired.)

Frosting

  • Beat butter in medium bowl. Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk and coffee, beating to spreading consistency (additional milk may be needed depending up your desired consistency). Stir in vanilla and salt (if using).
Tried this recipe?Mention @lovefromtheoven or tag #lovefromtheoven!

About author Christi Johnstone of Love From The Oven

Christi is the baker, cook, blogger, food photographer, recipe developer and sprinkle lover behind Love From The Oven. As a busy mom, it's important to Christi that her recipes are family-friendly and picky eater approved. In addition to running Love From The Oven, Christi is the author of The My Little Pony Baking Book and Smart Cookie, and the co-author of Peeps-A-Licious.
Interested in working with Christi? please contact her by email.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our disclosure policy.

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  5. Sandi O says

    Newman’s Own Cafe Almond Biscotti would be my first choice – because it has the word “Biscotti.” I love saying that word…. and eating biscotti…

    Reply

  19. Brenda says

    Oh, my husband would love this for Father’sDay. I woul use it to have coffee and hot cocoa. Thanks for offering this great giveaway. My birthday is June 18, so it coul be a great gift to myself.

    Reply

  21. Stephanie Dreier says

    I am just starting to enjoy coffee and would love to win this so I can continue all the coffees’s out there with this machine.

    Reply

  39. Aida Caballero says

    I would love to make either Original Donut Shop™ Sweet & Creamy Hazelnut Iced Coffee or Green Mountain® French Vanilla Coffee. 🙂

    Reply

  45. Rebecca Schear says

    I would use the Keurig® K-Cup® Cafe Escapes™ Chai Latte. Always love a good spicy Chai! Your cake looks Fabulous, i’m pinning for later. Thanks for always sharing and for this fabulous opportunity =D

    Reply

  46. Colleen Hoffman says

    I would have to say that I would HAVE to make the English Toffeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Yummeeeeeeee! Thank you for the chance to win. We don’t keep appliances on our counter so if I won, that would give me an excuse! lol

    Reply

  63. Martha says

    Donut Shop decaf is what I drink at my daughter’s house. We bought her a Keurig, but would love one of my own!

    Reply

  69. Amy Tong says

    They all sound so good I know I want to try them all, eventually. But I would love to try the Keurig® K-Cup® Newmans Own® Café Almond Biscotti Coffee first. 🙂 Thank you for hosting this giveaway. I’ve always wanted a Keurig brewer in my kitchen.

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

    Reply

  78. Patti Brown says

    I’m just home from a trip to Baton Rouge….I saw Community Coffee in k-cups at a grocery store there…I would love to try those!!! Been wanting a small Keurig….fun, thanks!

    Reply

  81. Reyna V says

    I love my Keurig, but two of my faves aren’t made any more… Kona Blend Extra Bold and the Berry Lime Brew Over Ice. 🙁

    Reply

  82. Sharon Riegsecker says

    I’d go for the Snapple Peach Iced Tea. Just seems pretty cool to get Snapple from a Keurig!

    Reply

  101. Brandi Mizner says

    I would like to try the medium roast variety pack from Staples for that beautiful Keurig!

    Reply

  103. Sarah says

    I’m going to go with the Sweet and Creamy Regular Iced Coffee! Summer is just around the corner and that means I go for iced coffee every morning vs. hot!

    Reply

  112. Mary Ellsworth says

    I would love to make the Keurig® K-Cup® Newman’s Own® Organics Special Blend Coffee.

    Reply

  124. Mirtha says

    I had no idea there was a mini. I live in a shoebox so my kitchen is small = minimal counter space. I only make coffee for me so I don’t make even half a pot. Perfect. I’d be forever grateful!!!!

    Reply

  128. Megan says

    Awesome giveaway! My husband would be SO happy if I won this for him for Father’s Day! I think if he could survive on coffee alone, he would. His favorite K-Cup would be a toss up between Donut Shop and Dark Magic, but I had no idea there are Snapple K-Cups and he really likes peach tea, so I think I would go for that one, just to try something different.

    Love your blog and this chocolate cake sounds amazing – I plan to make it soon!

    Reply

  132. Carol Jameson says

    Ooooh this recipe will be made! I would LOVE to enjoy one of those devilish little cupcakes with a cup of Cafe Carmel or English Toffee from my new Keurig (hint hint)

    Reply

  133. MorriesLori says

    The suspense! I love raffles. Maybe as much as I love coffee. Oh, coffee. French Roast. Love how it smells in my kitchen when it is brewing.

    Reply

  137. Becky says

    I have never had coffee from a Keurig, only tea and cocoa. But I love green mountain coffee so that will have to be my choice. I also and going to try your Dark Chocolate Cake (With A Hint Of Coffee) for my mom for mother’s day.

    Reply

  141. Erin Hurst says

    I’m not a huge coffee drinker, but love to have it on hand for guests. I’d love to try the cocoas and teas though!

    Reply

  151. JaNet says

    Coffee + chocolate is always a wonderful combo.The Cafe Escapes Chai Latte would be one I would make my first time. 🙂 Thank you for another awesome give-away!

    Reply

  153. Laura Scott says

    That Keurig would be perfect for my desk, as I have been looking at one. The cake always is good with hot coffee!!!!!

    Reply

  166. Karen Lynch says

    Since our weather has been so wacky, 80s one day, snow 36 hours later, if it is cold Newmans Almond Biscotti, if it is warm Celestials half and half, half tea half lemonade, love A. Palmers. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply

  183. Barbara Bradford says

    Big thanks for this opportunity… My fav has to be Staples Green Mountain Golden French Toast..

    Reply

  185. Leslie says

    I would love to make some iced lemon tea this time of year….well maybe hot chocolate with the weather lately!

    Reply

  201. Julie S says

    I made the cake last night. It is delicious! SO moist! I baked it in a Bundt pan for about 55 minutes and it came out great. I mixed only a half recipe of the frosting, since I wanted to just frost the top and allow some to run partway down the sides. The cake was a hit at the gathering I took it to, and sliced up so nicely. Now I have an easy, attractive, delicious go-to recipe whenever dark chocolate deliciousness is called for. Thanks!

    Reply

  206. Stephanie Breznau says

    I would LOVE to win this! A keurig mini has been on my wish list for a long time. 😀 If I won it, I would definitely be drinking either the English toffee or the Chai Latte!

    Reply

  207. Ande H says

    I love the Green Mountain Breakfast Blend. This cake combines my two favorite foods: chocolate and coffee. Yea!

    Reply

  208. Rhiannon says

    I’d love anything with chocolate or hazelnut in it. I just need extra caffeine because I’m about to bring my baby home from the NICU!!

    Reply

  214. Cassie says

    This would make a perfect addition to my kitchen! My boyfriend and I love our morning coffee, but he is always complaining that its not strong enough and when he makes it, WATCH OUT! It is so so strong. This would solve all of our problems, plus there are just so many that I would love to try! Like the green tea, yum! Thanks for such a wonderful giveaway!! That cake looks so good, I might have to make cupcakes with the recipe (:

    Reply

  215. Lori Pelfrey says

    So far my favorite k cups are Green Mountain’s breakfast blend and the hot cocoa! I’ve even mixed the two together to get a mocha! YUM!

    Reply

  218. Staci says

    I’ve never tried any of the flavors! I love anything cocoa or mocha so I know I would love many of the flavors!

    Reply

  220. Desiree C says

    Just printed the recipe to make for a gathering this weekend! Would love a Keurig coffee maker to go with it!

    Reply

  223. Tabathia B says

    I like the Keurig® K-Cup® Coffee People® Original Donut Shop™ Coconut Mocha Coffee, Regular

    Reply

  225. Amy J says

    I would love to make cocoa or tea (I’m not much of a coffee drinker) but my hubby LOVES coffee and would go crazy over trying all different flavors! That cake looks AMAZING! Thank you for sharing the recipe!

    Reply

  228. Elissa Rojas says

    mmmmmmm! This cake looks delicious! I’m a Chocoholic and I’m sure making this cake soon!

    I don’t think I can live without chocolate or coffee, a dark and yummy Starbucks Sumatra Dark mmm my favorite!

    Reply

  234. Penny Carey says

    OMG, about to trip over my own drooling tongue. I don’t think there is anything better than a rich chocolate cake made with coffee. I am hoping to get lucky with this one! 😉

    Reply

  239. Nancy G says

    I have always wanted to try one of those. Heard so much about it. Trying to save up some money so that I can get one and finally try it. 🙂

    Reply

  241. Jennifer Appleton says

    I would love to make English Toffee Coffee, Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa, Cafe Caramel, and Cafe Vanilla! So many yummy choices

    Reply

  244. Tanya K. Moyer says

    I am a tea drinker so I would definitely choose Keurig® K-Cup® Twinings® of London Breakfast Tea, 18 Pack!!! I love English Breakfast tea!!! 🙂

    Reply

  249. Dawn Johns says

    Newmans special decaf, or kahlua, or Starbucks pike place blend 🙂
    (Honestly though… I would take whatever flavor or beverage type you award, I like teas and juices, chocolates and ciders, so I am not too picky, I love coffee though and so I gave ya my top 3 😉 thanks.)

    Reply

  258. Justin says

    I haven’t tried this frosting, I usually just wing it. I’ve made so much frosting over the years I only do loose measuring anymore. But I do believe this is my go-to chocolate cake recipe. I haven’t made it in a while but it’s always a huge hit. Even picky eaters rave over my chocolate cake & cupcakes with this recipe.

    Reply

    • Christi says

      Justin, if it wasn’t for having to share measurements on a blog, I’d never measure anything for frosting either. Absolutely a bit of this, a bit of that, all taste type of thing. 🙂

      Reply

  259. Bruce says

    This was the cake and frosting my Mom made me for my birthday every year!!!! Only difference was using regular Hershey’s Cocoa powder. They didn’t make Special Dark cocoa back then.

    Reply

    • Christi says

      Bruce, it’s such a great cake! I’m pretty dedicated to that dark cocoa, though I have to admit, only one store I go to ever carries it (and I think I buy enough for them to keep stocking it!). I”ll have to make this one again soon, my hubby has a birthday coming up actually… 🙂

      Reply