If you’re a chocolate cake lover, you know that not all chocolate cakes are created equal. Some are dry, some lack flavor, and some just don’t hit the spot.
But fear not, because there’s a trick that will take your chocolate cake to the next level. And it’s all thanks to coffee.
Coffee is a natural chocolate enhancer, bringing out the rich flavor of chocolate without overpowering it with a coffee taste.
In fact, adding coffee to your chocolate cake recipe can make all the difference. Ina Garten’s famous Beatty’s Chocolate Cake is a perfect example of this.
Her recipe calls for coffee not once, but twice, resulting in a cake that is moist, flavorful, and full of chocolatey goodness.
What Type of Coffee To Add to Your Chocolate Cake
When it comes to adding coffee to your chocolate cake recipe, there are a few options to choose from.
The type of coffee you use should be fresh and something you enjoy drinking. Here are some popular options:
Hot Brewed Coffee: This can be made using a drip coffee maker, a Bialetti Moka Express, or a French press. Simply brew your coffee as you normally would and add it to your cake batter.
Shot of Espresso: If you have an espresso machine, this is a great option. Alternatively, you can buy a shot at your local coffee shop. If your recipe calls for more than a shot (about 1.5 ounces), mix it with hot water to make an Americano.
Instant Espresso Powder: This is a convenient option and can be found in most grocery stores. Popular brands include Medaglia D’Oro and Café Bustelo.
Instant Coffee Granules: Another convenient option, instant coffee granules can be found in most grocery stores. Nescafé Clásico is a popular brand.
Decaf Coffee: If you’re sharing your chocolate cake with kids or caffeine-sensitive friends, using decaf coffee is a great option.
How to Add Coffee to Any Chocolate Cake Recipe
Adding coffee to a chocolate cake recipe can enhance the flavor and extend the shelf life of the cake.
Here are some tips on how to add coffee to your chocolate cake recipe:
When the recipe calls for hot water, swap out equal amounts of water with brewed coffee. For example, if the recipe calls for one cup of hot water, use one cup of hot brewed coffee. This will maximize the flavor of chocolate even more.
When the recipe calls for milk or buttermilk, don’t swap the dairy with brewed coffee. Instead, dissolve one teaspoon of instant espresso powder or two teaspoons of instant coffee granules in the milk or buttermilk. This will enhance the flavor of chocolate without altering the recipe.
When the recipe doesn’t call for a liquid like hot water, milk, or buttermilk, add one teaspoon of instant espresso powder or two teaspoons of instant coffee granules to the dry ingredients. This will give the cake a subtle coffee flavor without altering the texture.