Mocha Fudge Cake

If you’re (as I was earl last week) craving a dessert that’s rich, indulgent, and bursting with chocolaty goodness, this Mocha Fudge Cake is your answer. It is truly a chocolate lover’s paradise. The combination of dark chocolate chips, Ghirardelli ground chocolate, and espresso powder creates a bold, sophisticated flavor profile. The espresso enhances the chocolate without overpowering it, giving the cake a subtle coffee kick. The texture is perfectly moist thanks to buttermilk and a generous amount of butter, while the warm mocha icing poured over the hot cake ensures every bite is decadently fudgy. Plus, it’s baked in a 10x10-inch pan, making it easy to slice and serve for a crowd (or to keep all to yourself—no judgment here!).

Mocha Fudge Cake

For the Cake:

2 c. granulated sugar
2 c. flour, plus 1 tablespoon (divided)
1 t. baking powder
2 t. baking soda (divided)
½ t. kosher salt
½ t. espresso powder
½ lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
¼ c. Ghirardelli ground chocolate
1 c. water
½ c. buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 t. vanilla extract
1½ c. dark chocolate chips

For the Icing:
¼ c. Ghirardelli ground chocolate
½ t. espresso powder
¼ lb. (1 stick) unsalted butter
6 T. heavy cream
1 lb. powdered sugar
¼ t. kosher salt
1 t. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9” x 9” pan with Baker’s Joy or a similar baking spray to prevent sticking; set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, sugar, baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, salt, and espresso powder. This creates the base of your cake’s dry ingredients. Set it aside.

In a small saucepan, combine the butter, ¼ cup ground chocolate, and water. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure it’s smooth. Once it’s boiling, pour this rich chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until fully combined.

In a small bowl, mix the buttermilk with the remaining 1 teaspoon of baking soda—this helps give the cake its tender crumb. In another small bowl, toss the dark chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of flour to keep them from sinking in the batter. Add the eggs, buttermilk mixture, and vanilla extract to the batter, beating until smooth. Gently fold in the chocolate chips for bursts of chocolate in every bite.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The aroma of chocolate and espresso will fill your kitchen!

About 5 minutes before the cake is done, start the icing. In a large saucepan, bring ¼ cup ground chocolate, espresso powder, butter, and heavy cream to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla. Beat with a mixer until the icing is smooth and glossy.

As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, spread the warm mocha icing over the top. The heat from the cake helps the icing sink in, creating that fudgy texture. Let it cool slightly, then slice and serve. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence!

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