Easy Mocha Cake Recipe from a Cake Mix - The How-To Home (2024)

There's something magical about the combination of chocolate and coffee. Individually, they're delicious, but when paired together, they create a flavor explosion that's hard to resist. If you're a fan of this classic duo, then you're going to love this recipe forchocolate mocha cakemade with aboxed cake mix. Not only is it easy to make, but it's also incredibly tasty making it theperfect dessertfor any occasion.

This simple recipe was inspired by my mocha frappe recipe and easy tiramisu recipe without eggs and is another great treat for coffee lovers.

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😋 Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for pot lucks, family dinners, or entertaining.​
• It's incredibly easy to make since it starts with a cake mix as its base. This means you don't have to worry about measuring out a ton of ingredients or spending hours in the kitchen. But just because it's simple doesn't mean it's not delicious.
• The addition of instant coffee gives the cake a boldcoffee flavorthat enhances therichchocolateflavorand is perfectly balanced.
• The moist and fluffy texture of the cake is sure to impress anyone who tries it. Whether you're a fan of chocolate, coffee, or just cake in general, this recipe is a winner.

🧁Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. Full instructions and amounts can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

• box of chocolate cake mix- I used devil's food from Aldi's which calls for 1 cup of water, ½cup vegetable oil, and 3large eggs
• granulated sugar
• boiling water
• instantcoffee granules
• cream cheese
• confectioners' sugar
• Cool whip
• cocoa powderorsemisweet chocolate chips

See recipe card for quantities.

📋Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Thefull recipeand instructions as well as nutritional information can be found in therecipe cardat the bottom of the page.

Heat oven to 350 degrees f.

Spray bottom only of two 9-inch cake pans or one 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray.

Prepare cake batter in a large bowl following the directions on the box and pour batter into cake pans (divide batter evenly if using two cake rounds) or baking dish.

Place in preheated oven following the bake time as indicated on the box testing for doneness with a cake tester.

Cool cake on wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove from cake pans if desired. If baking in a baking dish you can leave it in the dish for serving.

In a small bowl combine boiling water, granulated sugar, and ½ tablespoon of the instant coffee granules stirring until dissolved; set aside.

Combine cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and remaining 1 ½ tablespoons of instant coffee in a mixing bowl if using a hand electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer. Use the paddle attachment and mix at medium speed until smooth. Gently fold in the Cool whip. Set aside one cup of the frosting to decorate the cake with for a garnish.

Brush the top of the cake with the coffee mixture using a silicone basting brush.

Spread the remaining mocha frosting over the top of cake. If making a layered cake frost the top of the bottom cake layer, add the second layer and frost that as well.

Pipe rosettes of filling on top of the cake and sprinkle with cocoa powder or grated chocolate morsels.

See Also

My Top 10 Mexican RecipesGrinch Cake: Detailed Tutorial and Delicious Recipe

Free Grocery List Printable

🍴Substitutions

• Espresso Powder- can be used in place of instant coffee and will take thecoffee flavorto thenext levelfor a stronger richer flavor.
• Whipped Creamcan be used in place of theCool Whip- use half as much homemadewhipped cream(1 cup vs 2 cups).

🍽Equipment

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
• Spatula
• Cake Decorating Kit
• Cake Tester
• 13 x 9 inch baking pan
• OR Two 9 x 9 inch round cake pans
• Cake Server

🥡Storage

If not serving immediately, place cake in anairtight containerand refrigerate for up to 3 days. I usually make this a day in advance and use a 9 x 13 inch pan so it's easier to store. I don't have a lid for my baking dish so I cover the cake with a layer ofplastic wrapfollowed by aluminum foil.

If you LOVE mocha and the flavor of coffee you may also enjoy these recipes!

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card below ⬇️ you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe