Chocolate coffee cardamom layer cake – three layers of moist chocolate coffee & cardamom cake with swiss meringue buttercream & dark chocolate ganache.
It had been a while since I last made a layer cake, there certainly hasn’t been any shortage of cakes, but they have mostly just been simple, one layer ones or bundt cakes, so I thought it was high time I made something a bit more spectacular. Enter this chocolate coffee cardamom layer cake.
Three layers of perfectly moist chocolate cake with a hint of coffee and cardamom, filled with a silky smooth chocolate, coffee and cardamom swiss meringue buttercream and drizzled with dark chocolate ganache.
This cake is heavenly. I love the flavour of chocolate with coffee and cardamom, I’ve kept them both quite subtle so that they enhance rather than overpower the chocolate, but you can absolutely add more if you want a bit more of a punch.
Conversely, you can leave either or both flavours out if you prefer (replace the espresso in the cake with hot water) and you will be left with a perfect chocolate cake.
Did you know that it is Fairtrade Fortnight? (27th Feb – 12th March) In honour of the campaign, the Fairtrade Foundation set me up with enough Fairtrade chocolate, tea and coffee to last a year (or you know, about a week in my case!).
There are Fairtrade versions of so many products available that it is really easy to make the swap and ensure that the producers, farmers and workers have been paid a fair price for their products; just keep an eye out for the logo when you do your shopping.
Chocolate Coffee Cardamom Layer Cake Recipe:
Chocolate Coffee Cardamom Layer Cake
Makes one 15cm/6in layer cake.
Serves 8.
Ingredients
Cakes:
- 80 g (2.8oz) dark chocolate chopped
- 160 ml (2/3 cup) hot strong espresso coffee
- 35 g (rounded 1/4 cup) cocoa powder
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) buttermilk
- 200 g (1 + 2/3 cup) plain flour
- 1 + 1/3 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom (about 10 pods)
- 80 g (1/3 cup) softened butter
- 225 g (1 + 1/4 cups) light brown soft sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Swiss meringue buttercream:
- 150 g (5.3oz) dark chocolate chopped
- 120 g egg white (3 large)
- 150 g (2/3 cup) caster (superfine) sugar
- 200 g (3/4 cup + 2tbsp) butter softened
- 1/2 tsp instant espresso powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Ganache:
- 50 g (1.75oz) dark chocolate chopped
- 75 ml (scant 1/3 cup) double (heavy) cream
- 10 g (1tbsp) butter
- chocolate sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
Cakes:
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Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Grease three 15cm/6in round cake tins and line the bases with baking parchment.
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Melt the dark chocolate, either in a bowl over a pan of gently simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave, set aside to cool slightly.
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Whisk together the cocoa powder and hot coffee until smooth then whisk in the buttermilk, set aside. Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and ground cardamom, set aside.
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Place the butter, sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl and whisk with an electric mixer until smooth and light. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, whisking really well after each addition, then whisk in the melted chocolate.
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Fold in one third of the flour mixture, followed by half of the buttermilk mix. Fold in another third of the flour, then the remaining buttermilk, then the rest of the flour.
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Divide the batter evenly between the tins (I use a scale to get them exactly even) and level the surface. Bake for about 25 minutes (check at 20) until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
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Leave the cakes to cool in the tins for 10 minutes then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack, peel off the baking parchment and leave to cool completely.
Swiss meringue buttercream:
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Melt the dark chocolate, either in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water, or in short bursts in the microwave. Set aside to cool slightly while you make the meringue.
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Place the egg whites and sugar in a large, spotlessly clean heatproof bowl (the bowl of your stand mixer if you have one) and place the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water; do not let the base of the bowl touch the water. Gently whisk the mixture until the sugar has dissolved, if you rub some between your fingers you shouldn't feel any graininess. It should reach at least 60C/140F on a thermometer (but don't let it get too hot or it will start to set (at 70C)).
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Remove the bowl from the heat and whisk on a high speed with an electric mixer until it has formed a thick, glossy meringue and is completely cool to the touch, about 10 minutes.
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Turn the speed down to low and add the butter a tablespoon at a time, whisking well after each addition, until you have added all the butter and the buttercream has become smooth and silky. It may become soupy or curdled looking, just keep whisking and it will come back together. (If it doesn't, you may need to add a couple of tablespoons more of butter. Or if it remains soupy, refrigerate it for 15-30 minutes then carry on whisking on a high speed. If it remains curdled, place a couple of heaped tablespoons of the mixture in a separate bowl and microwave it until it melts, then drizzle it back into the rest of the buttercream slowly, while whisking on a high speed.)
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Once the buttercream is smooth, whisk in the vanilla extract, espresso powder, cardamom and salt on a low speed, then fold in the dark chocolate (which by now should have cooled, but still be melted). Place the buttercream in a piping bag fitted with a large, plain nozzle.
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Place one of the cooled cakes on a serving plate or cake stand and pipe rings of the buttercream to completely cover the top of it (you can just spread it on if you prefer.
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Place the second cake layer on top and repeat the piping. Place the final layer on upside down so that the top is completely flat. Press down gently then place the cake in the fridge while you make the ganache.
Ganache:
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Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl then heat the cream until it is just boiling. Pour the cream over the chocolate, let it sit for a minute then stir until smooth and the chocolate has completely melted. Stir in the butter until melted then set aside to cool slightly, but don't leave it so long that it starts to set.
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Pour the ganache over the top of the cake and encourage it to drip over the edges with the back of a spoon. leave it to set slightly then place the remaining buttercream in a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle (or whatever piping nozzle you prefer and pipe eight dollops of buttercream on top of the cake.
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Sprinkle over some chocolate sprinkles and serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
I was sent some free products but I wasn’t paid to write this post and all opinions are my own.
I am sharing these with Saucy Saturdays hosted by The Flavour Bender, Take Two Tapas, La Petit Chef and Mid-Life Croissant,
Elinor Hill aka Beachhutcook
Tall, dark and handsome! What a cake. Elinor x
Lucy Parissi
That just looks like the perfect chocolate cake! Just incredibly rich and incredibly beautiful. It’s been forever since I made Swiss meringue buttercream but you are making me long to make it again. Brava!!
Laura
I saw your preview of this the other day and couldn’t wait to see the post and recipe. It’s even better than I expected. Stunning photos too.
Smita Mehta
Delicious chocolate cake all time favorite. Its really irresistible. Easy recipe shared with the perfect images. I hope when i’ll make it looks the same way as it’s looking in your pictures.
Charissa
I wanted to make this but it doesn’t say how much butter to use in the cakes batter. Am I just missing it somewhere?
hannahhossack
OMG! Thank you for pointing that out, for some reason my recipe plugin seemed to have omitted it when I imported the recipe. I’ve updated the recipe to include the butter. I hope you enjoy the cake!
Ruth
Hi! This sounds delicious! Would it work with 8 inch round pans. I think I would get 2 layers. What do you think?
hannahhossack
Hi Ruth, thank you! Yes I think you would get two 8 inch layers, they would probably take a little longer to cook – about 25-30 minutes. I hope you enjoy it!
Susan
I made it with 8″ pans. The cake baked for about 20 minutes. You will need extra ganache. The amount stated is enough.
Neta Livne
This looks delicious! I love your photos.
Moma
This looks so Devine..
With the above mentioned quantity….how many 8inch round cake layers can be prepared?
And can I omit cardamom?
Pls clarify
Thank you
hannahhossack
Hi, you can make two 8 inch cakes and yes, it is absolutely fine to omit the cardamom.
Trish Ross
How would I make the buttercream a Peanut Butter version?
hannahhossack
Hi Trish, just add a few heaped spoonfuls (to taste) of smooth peanut butter once all of the butter has been incorporated and the buttercream is smooth.
Eija
This cake looks amazing. I wonder how dark chocolate you like to use? Cocoa percentage?
hannahhossack
Hi Eija, thank you! I tend to use between 60% and 70% dark chocolate.
Sheri Howell
Loved it! Would make it again. I made it in 10 inch pans (so only two layer). Baked for 18 mins and there was lots of of ganache.
hannahhossack
Wonderful! I am so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the great feedback 🙂
Gloria Alvarado
Hola, quiero hacer el pastel pero revisando la preparacion habla de suero de leche, pero no dice la cantidad
Gracias
hannahhossack
Hi Gloria, I am a little confused by your comment – I presume you are saying that there is no quantity given for the buttermilk? It is listed in the ingredients however – 125ml (1/2 cup). Do correct me if I am wrong, my Spanish isn’t as good as it used to be!
Nimmi John
Made this cake for daughter’s birthday this past weekend – IT’S AMAZING. Correctly followed the recipe . Everyone loved it. The frosting goes on better than any frosting I’ve ever had. It’s so easy to apply. Thanks for this recipe! http://www.surabhifoods.com
hannahhossack
Wonderful! I am so, so pleased that you enjoyed it! Swiss meringue buttercream is perfect for spreading 🙂
Boyan Minchev
Chocolate and coffee are matching so well and this cake looks so delicious. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe.
tux | Brooklyn Homemaker
First of all this looks insanely delicious and my mouth is totally watering just looking at the photos.
The real reason I’m commenting though, is that I found your recipe, copied word for word with your photos, on another site. As a blogger myself, I wanted to make sure you were aware of this and had given permission. http://www.cucinadeyung.com/2017/08/chocolate-coffee-cardamom-layer-cake.html?m=1
Debbie
How long will Swiss buttercream last, can I make it in advance?
hannahhossack
Hi Debbie, the buttercream should keep for up to a week in the fridge in an airtight container. You will need to let it come up to room temperature then re-whip it a bit before using it.
kelvin
No, No, No……I cant control on my self now. Looking delicious and become my mouth is totally watering. Too much yummy look of this Chocolate coffee cardamom cake….. Actually i am very lazy in cooking but not in eating. but now i have to leave my laziness for making this yummy cake for me and my friends. One other chocolate i am crazy about , and that is Cacao and Cardamom Chocolate made by Annie Rupani at Houston USA. Available online, Hand crafted Chocolates for all occasion, unique gift box of chocolates, i Really want to recommend that for all cardamom lover.
http://www.cacaoandcardamom.com
Stephie
Can I make it dairy free looks a perfect birthday cake? x
hannahhossack
Hi Stephie, you can use dairy free margarine instead of butter in the cakes, for the buttercream you would need to use vegetable shortening instead of the butter (it will most likely split if you use margarine), and for the ganache you can use full fat coconut milk or soy cream instead of the cream, and margarine instead of the butter.
Tammy
This cake is AMAZING!! Big hit at work!
Daniel
Hello – this is a beautiful recipe (based on the mixture). I tried it last minute for a friends birthday and didn’t have buttermilk, so used normal milk.
Alas, the cakes didn’t rise. I would have used baking powder had I known the buttermilk was needed for bi carb to work. It’s my own fault, but wonder if you could add that to the instructions for other novices like me? 🙂
hannahhossack
Hi Daniel, sorry to hear you had issues. In the future, if you need to swap out buttermilk for regular milk then you can add a little vinegar or lemon juice to it – 1 Tbsp per 250ml of milk should do it (so 1/2 Tbsp vinegar/lemon jucie for this recipe). Stir it in and set the milk aside for a few minutes until it curdles. It’s not exactly the same as buttermilk but it will work in the same way; it is the acid reacting with the bicarb that makes the cake rise.
Maria Lam
Looks like a great cake, do you have advise for Gluten free?
Thanks
hannahhossack
Hi Maria, I haven’t tried making it gluten free but I think that it should work fine using a gluten free flour blend.