Dreamy Espresso Infused Mocha Poke Cake Recipe for Coffee Lovers

Crafting an espresso-infused mocha poke cake sparks pure culinary magic in kitchens everywhere.

Rich coffee notes dance through delicate layers of moist chocolate brilliance.

Unexpected flavor combinations create moments of pure dessert delight.

Layers of decadence peek through each carefully punctured surface.

Coffee lovers will swoon over this innovative treat that blends robust espresso with smooth chocolate undertones.

Elegant yet approachable, this cake promises a sensory adventure you won’t soon forget.

One bite transports you to a world of indulgent, caffeinated bliss.

What Makes Espresso Infused Mocha Poke Cake Special

• Brew Coffee Magic: Transform an ordinary cake into a spectacular dessert with rich espresso-infused layers that dance with intense flavor.
• Customize Your Comfort: Adapt the recipe easily by adjusting coffee strength, adding different garnishes, or experimenting with chocolate variations to match personal taste preferences.
• Master Complex Techniques: Learn professional baking skills like creating poke cake layers, preparing smooth cream toppings, and balancing intricate flavor profiles without intimidation.
• Impress Gathering Crowds: Deliver a showstopping dessert that looks professionally crafted but requires minimal culinary expertise, perfect for dinner parties, potlucks, or special celebrations.

Ingredients in Espresso Infused Mocha Poke Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure to the chocolate cake.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives the cake its rich chocolate flavor and dark color.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's moisture.
• Milk: Provides liquid and helps create a smooth cake batter.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and tender.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Help the cake rise and create a light texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.

• Hot Coffee, Brewed Espresso: Intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds depth to the cake.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a rich, sweet soak that adds moisture to the cake.

• Heavy Cream: Provides a creamy base for the mocha topping.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the whipped cream.
• Espresso Powder: Adds a concentrated coffee flavor to the cream.
• Cocoa Powder: Contributes chocolate flavor to the topping.

• Chocolate Shavings, Cocoa Powder, Coffee Beans: Provide decorative and additional flavor elements.

Stepwise Guide to Espresso Infused Mocha Poke Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a quick coating of grease and flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Cake Base

• Flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Sugar

• Eggs
• Milk
• Oil
• Vanilla extract

Whip everything together with an electric mixer. Slowly stream in hot coffee and blend until the batter looks silky smooth.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Slide it into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let the cake rest for 10 minutes after baking.

Step 4: Create the Espresso Soak

• Brewed espresso
• Sweetened condensed milk

Blend until perfectly combined.

Step 5: Poke and Drench

Take a wooden spoon handle or skewer and poke holes all over the slightly cooled cake.

Slowly drizzle the espresso soak, ensuring it seeps into every hole. Allow the cake to cool completely.

Step 6: Whip Up the Mocha Cream

• Heavy cream
• Powdered sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Espresso powder
• Vanilla extract

Step 7: Decorate with Flair

Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the mocha cream evenly across the top. Get creative with garnishes like chocolate shavings, cocoa powder dusting, or scattered coffee beans.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Slice the cake and serve chilled or at room temperature. It’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days – if it lasts that long!

Tips to Bring Out Espresso Infused Mocha Poke Cake Flavors

• Swap whole milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version, ensuring the cake remains moist and flavorful.
• Use decaf espresso or instant coffee powder if you want to reduce caffeine content while maintaining rich coffee flavor.
• Ensure cake holes are evenly spaced and deep enough to allow the espresso soak to penetrate thoroughly, creating a more intense moisture and flavor profile.
• Chill the mixing bowl and whisk before whipping cream for maximum volume and stability in the mocha cream topping.
• Add a pinch of instant espresso powder directly into the cake batter for an extra intense coffee flavor throughout the dessert.

Flavor Boosts That Complement Espresso Infused Mocha Poke Cake

• Gluten-Free Espresso Mocha Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, maintaining same moisture and rich espresso flavor.
• Vegan Mocha Poke Cake: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, dairy milk with almond milk, heavy cream with coconut whipped cream, and use plant-based condensed milk for dairy-free alternative.
• Low-Sugar Espresso Mocha Cake: Use sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit, replace sweetened condensed milk with sugar-free version, and incorporate dark cocoa powder for intense chocolate taste without extra sweetness.
• Mexican Spiced Mocha Cake: Add ground cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper to cake batter, incorporate Mexican chocolate powder for warm, spicy undertones that complement rich espresso notes.

Side Dishes That Pair with Espresso Infused Mocha Poke Cake

• Coffee Shop Dessert Showcase: Slice this decadent cake and present it on a wooden board with whole coffee beans scattered around, creating a café-inspired display that highlights the rich espresso flavor.
• Elegant Dinner Party Finale: Plate individual slices on white porcelain with a light dusting of cocoa powder and a delicate chocolate curl, transforming the cake into a sophisticated dessert course.
• Brunch Celebration Centerpiece: Serve the cake on a rustic cake stand with fresh berries and a small espresso shot on the side, offering a complete coffee-lover's experience that combines visual appeal with indulgent flavors.
• Weekend Comfort Treat: Cut generous squares and pair with a cold glass of milk or hot cappuccino, creating a comforting dessert moment that celebrates the cake's rich mocha essence.

Best Ways to Store Espresso Infused Mocha Poke Cake

• Refrigerate the cake in an airtight container to maintain its moisture and prevent it from drying out.
• Cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storing to protect it from absorbing other food odors.
• Keep the cake in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring its freshness and delicious flavor.

FAQs

• Why do I need to use hot coffee in the cake batter?

Hot coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor and helps create a richer, more moist cake texture by fully dissolving the cocoa powder and bringing out deeper chocolate notes.

• Can I use instant espresso instead of brewed espresso?

Yes, you can substitute brewed espresso with instant espresso powder mixed with hot water. Use about 1-2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder per shot of espresso required in the recipe.

• What type of cocoa powder works best for this recipe?

Dutch-processed cocoa powder is recommended because it provides a smoother, less acidic chocolate flavor and blends more easily into the cake batter, creating a more uniform texture.

Best Espresso Infused Mocha Poke Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Chocolate lovers will adore this espresso infused mocha poke cake, a dessert that blends rich coffee and chocolate flavors. Silky ganache and creamy whipped topping complete this indulgent treat you’ll want to savor slowly.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup hot coffee (strong brewed)

Supporting Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons (2 tsp) vanilla extract

Leavening Agents:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons (1 1/2 tsp) baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (1 1/2 tsp) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing and dusting with flour.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, whisking flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar until evenly distributed.
3. Add wet ingredients including eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Use an electric mixer to blend thoroughly on medium speed.
4. Gradually incorporate hot coffee into the batter, mixing until the consistency becomes smooth and slightly thin.
5. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Allow cake to cool for 10 minutes, then create multiple holes across the surface using a wooden spoon handle or skewer.
7. Whisk brewed espresso with sweetened condensed milk in a separate bowl to create the soak mixture.
8. Carefully pour the espresso soak over the cake, ensuring liquid penetrates all the holes. Let cake absorb the mixture completely.
9. Prepare mocha cream by whipping heavy cream with powdered sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
10. Once cake is fully cooled, spread mocha cream evenly across the top.
11. Optional: Garnish with chocolate shavings, cocoa powder dusting, or coffee beans for enhanced presentation.
12. Refrigerate cake and serve chilled or at room temperature. Keeps fresh for up to 3 days when stored properly.

Notes

• Ensure coffee is freshly brewed and hot when adding to cake batter for maximum flavor depth and moisture.
• Room temperature ingredients help create a smoother, more evenly mixed cake batter with better texture.
• Poke holes generously and evenly across the cake to allow maximum espresso soak absorption for rich, intense coffee flavor.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better structure.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 291
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 143 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg