This chocolate cake will serve you well in so many ice cream cake applications. It is moist and incredibly delicious.

YIELD: 2 (9) ROUND CAKES

INGREDIENTS

• 2/3 cup dark cocoa powder
• 1 cup hot, strong coffee
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, scraped
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Change It Up a Bit:

• Hazelnut coffee double strength with Frangelico instead of vanilla extract
• Kahlua coffee, espresso, or other flavorful coffee drinks

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Grease the bottoms of two 9 round cake pans, line with parchment paper, then grease and flour the parchment paper.
3. Whisk together cocoa powder and hot coffee until combined. Set aside to cool.
4. In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and scraped vanilla until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, combining well after each addition. Add vanilla extract.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Turn mixer to low speed and alternately add flour mixture and coffee mixture to the bowl with the butter and sugar, starting and ending with flour mixture. Scrape down the sides. Beat for 20 seconds more on medium speed.
6. Portion batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25–35 minutes until cakes spring back when lightly touched.