Indulge in a Flavor-Packed Coffee Layer Cake Recipe with Silky Coffee Buttercream

Photo byAngie Bright

For those who love the combination of coffee and cake, this Coffee Layer Cake is a must-try. This cake pairs the comforting flavors of coffee with the indulgence of a rich buttercream frosting. Whether you’re planning a special celebration or simply want to treat yourself to something sweet, this cake is sure to hit the spot. The soft cake layers have just the right hint of coffee, while the buttercream frosting offers a robust coffee flavor that melts in your mouth. With its perfect balance of sweetness and coffee, this cake is a great way to impress guests or enjoy a little "me" time with a slice of heaven.

The Coffee Cake Layers

The magic starts with moist cake layers that boast a delicate coffee flavor. Butter gives the cake a rich texture, while a bit of oil is added for extra softness. Instant coffee is mixed with milk and vanilla to create a smooth base that brings out the best in the cake’s flavor. Every bite is light and fluffy, while still having enough density to hold its structure for layering.

To create this masterpiece, you'll need to ensure your ingredients are at room temperature. The key to a perfect cake crumb is making sure that the butter is well-creamed with sugar. This process, which can take several minutes, makes the cake light and airy. With alternating additions of dry ingredients and the coffee-milk mixture, the batter comes together beautifully. The result is soft, flavorful layers that are neither too sweet nor too heavy.

The Coffee Buttercream Frosting

The real showstopper here, though, is the coffee buttercream. Smooth, creamy, and infused with coffee, this frosting is what takes the cake to the next level. Whipping the butter until it’s light and fluffy is essential to achieving that perfect texture. The addition of cold whipping cream gives it a silky consistency, while the instant coffee granules add the bold coffee flavor.

If you love your desserts with a strong coffee punch, you can easily adjust the amount of coffee granules in the frosting. And if you’re not much of a sweet tooth, you can opt for a less sweet buttercream by reducing the amount of confectioner's sugar. Either way, this buttercream is a dream to spread on the cake and makes each bite smooth and indulgent.

Coffee Layer Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Coffee Cake Layers:

• 226 g unsalted butter (softened at room temperature)
• ½ cup oil (100 g, replace half of the butter with oil)
• ½ tsp salt
• 300 g white sugar (1 ½ cups)
• 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
• ¾ cup milk
• 4 tsp instant coffee granules (Nescafe or any preferred brand)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 315 g all-purpose flour (2 ½ cups, measured using the spoon and level method)
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder

For the Coffee Buttercream:

• 455 g unsalted butter (cool but not cold)
• ½ - ¾ tsp salt
• 80 mL cold whipping cream (⅓ cup)
• 4 – 6 tsp instant coffee granules (adjust according to taste)
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 500 – 567 g confectioner's sugar (4 – 5 cups)

Instructions:

Coffee Cake Layers:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat to 325°F (160°C). Prepare two 8-inch cake pans by lining the bottom with parchment paper and greasing the sides with butter and flour.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer, cream the softened butter on medium speed until it becomes light and fluffy, about 5-10 minutes. Add the sugar and salt, and continue mixing until the texture is smooth.
3. Incorporate the Eggs: Add the eggs, one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
4. Dissolve the Coffee: In a small bowl, dissolve the instant coffee in milk. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour and baking powder together. Whisk to combine.
6. Combine Wet and Dry: Alternate adding the dry ingredients and coffee-milk mixture into the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
7. Divide the Batter: Evenly divide the batter between the two cake pans, using a spatula to spread it evenly. Tap the pans gently on the counter to release any air bubbles.
8. Bake: Bake the cakes for 25-30 minutes, rotating halfway through. They should spring back when lightly pressed. Let the cakes cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Coffee Buttercream:

1. Whip the Butter: Using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the butter on high speed until it becomes pale and creamy, about 3-7 minutes.
2. Dissolve Coffee in Cream: Dissolve the coffee granules in a small amount of water (1-2 tbsp) and mix into the cold whipping cream.
3. Add Flavorings: Add the cream mixture, salt, and vanilla to the whipped butter. Continue mixing until light and fluffy.
4. Incorporate Sugar: Slowly add the confectioner’s sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed. After the sugar is fully incorporated, increase the speed to high and whip for another 1-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
5. Adjust Consistency: If the buttercream is too stiff, add more cream, 1 tbsp at a time. For a stronger coffee flavor, dissolve additional coffee in water and mix into the buttercream.
6. Frost the Cake: Once the cakes are fully cooled, frost and layer them using the coffee buttercream. Decorate as desired.

The Perfect Treat for Coffee Lovers

With every bite, the Coffee Layer Cake delivers the perfect combination of sweetness and that distinct coffee flavor. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a slice with your afternoon coffee, this cake will surely be a hit. Its soft, moist layers and rich buttercream frosting make it a standout dessert that’s easy to make but looks impressive on any table.

Recipe Sources:

• Sally's Baking Addiction
• Serious Eats
• Baking Sense