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Chocolate Cake With Coffee Mousse

Paula
A refined yet approachable layered cake featuring a light cocoa-almond sponge, a rich dark chocolate cream, and an airy coffee mousse. Balanced rather than overly sweet, this elegant dessert combines deep chocolate notes with subtle coffee aromatics. It's perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress without overly complex techniques.
4.92 from 49 votes
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 3 hours
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine International
Servings 20 servings

Ingredients
 
 

Sponge:

Chocolate cream:

  • 200 g dark chocolate
  • 300 ml whipping cream
  • 1 tbsp amaretto extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 4 g unflavored powdered gelatin

Coffee mousse:

  • 400 ml whipping cream (divided)
  • 50 ml strong coffee
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla sugar
  • 5 g unflavored powdered gelatin

Instructions
 

Sponge:

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (360°F). Line a 30 × 40 cm (12 × 16 inch) baking tray with parchment paper.
  • Whip the eggs with the sugar and salt for 10–15 minutes, until the mixture triples in volume and becomes pale and airy.
  • Gently mix in the melted, cooled butter.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and cocoa powder.
  • Fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture using a spatula with gentle upward movements.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared tray and level it evenly.
  • Bake for 15–17 minutes, or until the sponge is set and slightly pulling away from the edges.
  • Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely, then cut into two equal pieces.

Chocolate cream:

  • Bloom the gelatin in 30 ml (2 tbsp) cold water and let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Heat the whipping cream over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Add the dark chocolate and stir until fully melted and smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar and cocoa powder.
  • Slowly pour a few tablespoons of the hot chocolate mixture into the eggs, whisking constantly to temper them.
  • Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat for 5–6 minutes, stirring continuously, until slightly thickened and able to coat the back of a spoon.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved. Add the amaretto extract and mix well.
  • Cover with cling film (touching the surface) and refrigerate until cooled and spreadable.

Coffee mousse:

  • Bloom the gelatin in 30 ml (2 tbsp) cold water and set aside for 5 minutes.
  • Heat 100 ml of the whipping cream with the coffee until hot. Remove from heat and stir in the gelatin until dissolved.
  • Add the sugar and mix well. Refrigerate until slightly thickened but still pourable (about 20–30 minutes), stirring occasionally.
  • Whip the remaining 300 ml of cream with the vanilla sugar until soft peaks form.
  • Gently fold the whipped cream into the coffee mixture using upward movements until fully incorporated.

Assembly:

  • Place one layer of sponge into a 20 × 30 cm (8 × 12 inch) pan, trimming if needed.
  • Spread one-third of the coffee mousse evenly over the sponge.
  • Add the chocolate cream and level it.
  • Place the second sponge layer on top.
  • Spread the remaining coffee mousse evenly over the cake.
  • Cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least 3–4 hours, or until fully set.

Enjoy!

    Notes

    Notes

    • Do not soak the sponge: the creams provide enough moisture.
    • The chocolate cream is intentionally less sweet for a more balanced flavor. Add an extra tablespoon of sugar if you prefer a sweeter result.
    Chocolate Cake With Coffee Mousse
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