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Moist chocolate espresso cake decorated with chocolate shavings
Decadent chocolate cake with a kick of espresso and rum

Moist Rum & Espresso Chocolate Cake

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Cakes and Desserts
Think of this as the love child of tiramisu and a rich, fudge chocolate cake. The espresso deepens the cocoa profile without making it taste like coffee, while the rum relaxes the crumb for an incredibly tender texture. It's not a dry sponge; it's a buttery, moist cake that stays fresh for days.
🕒 Prep Time 20 mins
🍳 Cook Time 40 mins
⌛ Total Time 1 hr
🍽️ Servings 8 servings
🔥 Calories 275 kcal
🌍 Cuisine International

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • 9-inch Round Cake Pan
  • Electric Hand Mixer

Allergen Information

⚠️ Wheat
⚠️ Milk
⚠️ Egg

Instructions

1 ✓

Whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder) in a large bowl.

Tip: Sift the cocoa powder to avoid bitter lumps in your batter.
2 ✓

In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, milk, coffee, rum, and egg yolks. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients.

Tip: The acidity of the coffee reacts with the baking powder, helping the cake rise.
3 ✓

Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold them into the chocolate batter using a spatula.

Tip: The egg whites provide aeration. Fold gently—don't stir vigorously—to keep those air bubbles intact.
4 ✓

Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 35-40 minutes. Test with a toothpick.

Tip: The cake is done when a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. If it's bone dry, it might be overbaked.
5 ✓

Let cool completely, dust with powdered sugar, and serve with freshly whipped cream.

Tip: The rich cream balances the deep cocoa flavor perfectly.

Recipe FAQ

Why did the center sink?
You likely opened the oven door too early or used too much baking powder. The sudden temperature drop or over-leavening causes the structure to collapse before it sets.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/3 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 4 large Eggs
  • 1/2 cup Milk
  • 7 tbsp Unsalted Butter (melted)
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/4 cup Strong Espresso (cooled)
  • 2 tbsp Dark Rum
  • 3/4 cup Powdered Sugar (for dusting)
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream (chilled, for serving)