Mocha Chiffon Cake

I haven't been baking much lately. Mainly this is because there is no one in our house to eat my baked goods except for me. I'm completely afraid that I don't have the will power to not eat the whole loaf, batch or even batter. Therefore, it is easier to just stay away! I did have an opportunity to share my baking with others recently for a birthday for our dear friend Mark Williamson. I volunteered my services to make him a birthday cake which I was happy to do and I got my sugar and flour fix! This is a Southern Cooking Recipe and it was very good.

Mocha Chiffon Cake

3/4 cup boiling water

1/2 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

1 3/4 cups cake flour

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 large eggs, separated

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Chocolate-Coffee Buttercream Filling- See recipe below

Chocolate Fudge Frosting- See recipe below

Stir together first 3 ingredients until blended; cool.
Combine flour and next 3 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add cocoa mixture, egg yolks, oil, and vanilla; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
Beat egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Fold into batter. Pour batter into 4 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.
Bake, 2 layers at a time, at 325° for 17 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool layers in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool on wire racks covered with plastic wrap or wax paper to prevent layers from adhering to racks.
Spread about 1/2 cup Chocolate-Coffee Buttercream Filling between layers. Frost with Chocolate Fudge Frosting. Garnish, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

Chocolate-Coffee Buttercream Filling

2/3 cup butter, softened

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon cocoa

1/2 cup whipping cream

2 teaspoons instant coffee granules

2 teaspoons coffee liqueur*

Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy.
Microwave whipping cream at MEDIUM (50% power) until warm (do not boil). Stir together warm cream and coffee granules until dissolved; cool. Add whipping cream mixture and liqueur to butter mixture, beating until smooth.

*Note: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract may be substituted for liqueur.

Chocolate Fudge Frosting

1 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup cocoa

6 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add remaining ingredients, beating until smooth.
Note: To a make a torte, cut each cake layer in half horizontally with a serrated knife, and use 1/4 cup Chocolate-Coffee Buttercream Filling between layers. Frost as directed.