“Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. “
Martin Luther King 
The new year brings with it new promise…
A coffee sponge layered cake, sandwiched with coffee Chantilly & topped with an ever indulgent dark chocolate gateau with mocha overtones. Chill this beauty & enjoy this light, yet moist, satisfying gateau! If you love coffee, you’re gonna love this!! 
I made this gateau for my sis-in-laws birthday. She gifted me this beautiful silver-plated cake platter & cake spoon on my birthday, & I could hardly wait to inaugurate it. The sponge that I use in this gateau is made in a unique way, & keeps very moist. It can be made & kept in the fridge 2-3 days in advance. I have used it here previously in this Chocolate Orange Cloud Gateau with amazing reults.
If you are relatively new to my little blog, I might as well tell you that I LOVE ANYTHING COFFEE. Coffee makes my world worthwhile; I’m grouchy as Groucho Marx without my morning cuppa & all my coffee mugs have Garfield on them (my most fave one has him scowling ; it says ‘FACE IT’). Pair coffee with bitter/dark chocolate & I’ll do anything. Well, maybe anything! 
The scrolls on the frosting are inspired by cake art I saw on a beautiful blog, Art of Dessert, where something similar but prettier & much more elaborate had been done with chocolate butter cream. I used a bit of the reserved coffee cream filling, with some left-over ganache & some melted white chocolate to do mine. It wasn’t as firm as a butter cream would be, so the sides were impossible to scroll upon. 
as adapted from Mandarin Orange Cloud Gateau by Sue Ross,
from the book ‘Cream Cakes & Gateaux’, pg 17
Note: I doubled the sponge recipe to made 2 cakes 9 inch’s each to get 4 layers to serve 15
Coffee Sponge:
Ingredients:
Plain flour – 1/2 cup + 1/8 cup
Cornflour – 1/8 cup
Baking powder – 2 tsps
Plain flour – 1/2 cup + 1/8 cup
Cornflour – 1/8 cup
Baking powder – 2 tsps
Instant coffee – 2 tbsps
Pinch of salt
Castor Sugar – 1/2 cup + 1/8 cup
Oil – 5 tbsps (I used sunflower oil)
Water – 5 tbsps
Eggs – 3 / separated
Filling:
Pinch of salt
Castor Sugar – 1/2 cup + 1/8 cup
Oil – 5 tbsps (I used sunflower oil)
Water – 5 tbsps
Eggs – 3 / separated
Filling:
(for 1 8″ cake; double for larger cake)
Whipping Cream – 200ml (I use a 20% fat cream)
Castor sugar – 3-4 tbsps (as per taste)
Whipping Cream – 200ml (I use a 20% fat cream)
Castor sugar – 3-4 tbsps (as per taste)
Instant coffee – 1 tsps
Mocha Ganache:
Mocha Ganache:
(for a 8 ” cake; use 350ml cream + 400gms chocolate for larger cake)
Cream – 150 ml (20% fat)
Dark chocolate – 250gms / broken into pieces
Cream – 150 ml (20% fat)
Dark chocolate – 250gms / broken into pieces
Instant coffee – 1 tbsp 
Method:
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Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C. Line an 8″ spring form tin. (I made 2 cakes. Used a 9″ spring form tin, two times over, since I have just one tin).
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Sift the cornflour + flour + baking powder + salt + Castor sugar (yes, it’s correct) into a mixing bowl.
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Beat the egg whites till they stand in soft peaks & keep aside.
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Lightly beat the oil + water + coffee + yolks together and stir into the dry ingredients. Beat on low speed until smooth.
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Fold the whites gently into the yolk mixture.
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Turn into lined tin & bake for about 45 minutes till well risen and golden brown. Check if it is done with a wooden pick.(Slide a sheet of foil lightly over the top if it begins to brown too fast).
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Leave in tin for 10 minutes, & then cool completely on rack.
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Once cool, cut into 2 layers.
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Note: Make second cake just the same way if you want a large cake to serve 15-16. A small 8″ cake, made with the above ingredients, cut into 2-3 layers, will be good for approx 8 servings.
Filling:
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Whip the cream + sugar + coffee till firm.
-
Reserve a little cream for the topping, & sandwich the layers with the rest.
Ganache:
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Put the cream and dark chocolate into a pan heat over low heat till all the chocolate has melted, stirring constantly. Add coffee, stir well, and leave to cool.
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Frost the sides & top of the cake with the ganache.
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Scroll on some stuff on top if you have the inclination, else just cover with grated chocolate or sift cocoa over it lightly.
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Chill well and serve right out of the fridge! This gateau doesn’t need to sit at room temperature for a while; it’s great!
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Note: To get neat slices, dip a sharp edged knife into hot water, and slice. Wipe the knife clean between every serving.
All the best to you Mr President … hope you make good your difficult inheritance! The world waits & watches with baited breath…
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that’s such pretty work done on the cake. i am not a fan of coffee flavoured cakes but will try your orange chocolate one instead. i am planning a surprise for the husband’s b’day 😉
Your cake decorating skills are magnificent! What a beautiful tribute to our new President. I bet it tastes wonderful!
What a beautiful cake with such beautiful reflections. I am so glad the hope goes beyond our borders.. but extends to the whole world. I loved the words prayed by Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery that God holds the whole world in His hands!
Ciao Deeba!
I am constantly in awe of your work.
i love the coffee with chocolate!! And the art work on top, well, just takes the cake!! Now, one question..how does one measure 1/8 cup (in the absence of the cup measure)?
I love coffee. I love chocolate. I love your cake. 🙂 You are such an awesome baker!
Oh my, I think I’m in love. With you and this cake. 🙂
How delightful Deeba, may I come over for coffee or tea and have a slice or two of your delicious cake?
This is a work of art! It looks delicous, Deeba! And made with coffee? You are so so good!
Oh my..I wouldnt have the heart to cut such a beautiful cake with those lovely patterns…but on the other hand,can anyone resist such a beauty..I guess not.Your sis is law must have been so happy…birthday wishes to her!!
Dark chocolate is 2050 gms??,a typo I guess??
gorgeous! the pattern is reminds of of beautiful wrought iron
i echo the sentiments of everyone here – it is indeed a very beautiful cake. i wish i could have a slice right now! great piping skills 🙂
I accidentally came across your blog and I must tell you I now visit it almost everyday just so that I don’t miss any of your amazing culinary masterpieces. Is there anything you cannot bake or cook?! Thanks for adding flavours to my sometimes-monotonous grad school days.
i love it when you do coffee and choc! Troubled times indeed – but I am sure with a piece of this cake one cak forget about the trouble for a while!
Such a visually beautigul cake Deeba. You have such talent to make everything so artistic and appealing. There are some wonderful flavour combinations here as well…you have one lucky family.
it is always a pleasure to come visit you and see these wonderful cakes you make , cheers!
I would be more than happy and honored to make some ice cream for Obama! 🙂
Tks for your lovely words, darling! And may I say this is one of the most gorgeous cakes I have ever seen?
Wowo this is oneof the most beautiful cake i have seen and so delicious with coffee.
I love the way you have designes them.
Thanks to your son i know more aobut Obama.
Wow yummy, tempting, inviting, luscious and delicious cake. Love the beautiful deco you have done on the cake and plate…..
Magnificent Deeba!!! I am lost for words with your astonishing talent!!
It’s lovely to be back blogging once again and viewing all your wonderful posts.
Rosie x
There have never been more hope in our history and with our eyes fixed in the horizon we’ll meet the crisis that hangs over our heads. Great day for the world and what a better way to celebrate it than with amazing food like yours my friend 🙂
WOW!! Look at that design, pro job, Deeba! I can bake a good cake but icing gets me! Good job, girl! :))
Go Obama!! Oops! President Obama! :))
Oh WOW! That cake looks absolutely beautiful. Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog. You make great food and take really great pictures of it all. 😉
What a lovely post. And the cake…mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I love coffee and chocolate too.
Coffee flavored ice cream is my fave.
Oh look at that! The decoration is beautiful and the inside is so soft and delicious!
Love from,
Another coffee fan.
Your cake looks absolutely gorgeous. Your sister-in-law is a lucky lady. I love the color of your cake layers. Very inviting. Will have to come up with a good excuse soon to bake it :o) Thanks for sharing your thoughts, pictures and recipes.
Hanaa
This is beautiful…
My dear Deeba I loveeeee it!! many times I dont made nothing with chocolate, but when I saw yours cake!!! wow!!!!!I died!
Pstt : I LOVE OBAMA!!! I hope the best to him and the USA. and God helhim a lot!!! xxxxxxxxx
What a gorgeous cake! It looks like you’d find it in an exclusive bakery case. And I’m positive that it tastes ans good as it looks!
Wow your decorating on this cake and plate are beautiful Deeba. Very nice indeed and the cake speaks for itself, a true winner.
Beautiful cake! The decoration is excellent. You are very talented.
This is beautiful Deeba, you decorated it so lovely and you even decorated the plate!! You are good girl!
Oh my… what a beautiful cake! Without passion and skills, this cake would never happened.
I lurrrrve the intricacy of the frosting design! Simply perfect.
I love coffee flavoured cakes and when I saw this on my reader : I just Oh My God and did not open it until I showed A 🙂 I felt we should see it together!
Wow. Thats all I have to say.
This is the first time I have come across your blog and I am AMAZED with the quality of both your creations and Pics- Keep up the good work!!!!!
Anu
hey the cake looks soooo goooood..
gorgeooouuuussssss workk!!!! drooling over here….you got a real liking towards chocolate i beleive, see that most of ur creeations have a touch of chocoloagte here or there!! just marvellous….
gorgeooouuuussssss workk!!!! drooling over here….you got a real liking towards chocolate i beleive, see that most of ur creeations have a touch of chocoloagte here or there!! just marvellous….
Deeba this looks soooooooo good! I am planing to surprise a fiend by baking her a birthday cake and this is perfect. Unless you have a simpler recipe you can recommend? I’ll be snooping around your blog before her big day anyway. Baby brewing well by the way!!
I love the design on this cake! So elegant!!
beautiful swirling design! 😀
And thanks for dropping by my blog! Nice to meet you. This cake is a work of art, a masterpiece! I myself am experimenting with not using raising agents such as baking powder – as long as I am using plenty of whisked-in eggs, my experiment seems to work…I luuuuurve mocha – one of my favourite tastes – a winning combination.
I love your scrolls on top of the cake – so elegant and delicate. It’s really beautiful
I absolutely love the scrolling designs! It is really beautiful!!
Absolutely love the cake art.I will not feel like eating or even cutting up such a cake.Absolutely delish.Cant take my eyes off the frst pic. am skipping the sliced pieces pics.Cannot believe that such art is sliced.True work of art.
I just know one day your food will be on a cover of a famous magazine.
This cake is beautiful! I love the scrollwork! Deeba, you’re oozing with talent!!
My birthday is this week and I have been wishing for a chocolate-espresso cake, and this has just convinced me!
And here is a heartfelt Hip Hip Hooray for our new President and First Lady!
Your decoration is beautiful, Deeba. Just like embroidery on a cake.:)
this cake is tres dreamy! the top decoration reminds me of henna. it’s beautiful. x
I am the same way with coffee! I love it! I can drink it morning, noon and night! I like the tidbit about Obama reading all the Harry Potter books, sounds like he’s got great taste in books! This looks so mouthwatering… wish I could have a huge, HUGE piece!
Wow it looks so delicious. How awesome was the inauguration ceremony? I was almost in tears a few times!
I’m adding you to my blogroll. Hope you don’t mind!
Beautiful!
A gorgeous cake with exquisite decorations!
Per-fec-tion!! I love it Deeba! Slam dunk!
lord have mercy
such scrumptious pictures with a wonderful recipe
i’ll definitely try this. looks delish!
Cake Looks stunning! Lots of creativity and hard work.
Woww…the cake is gorgeous and the work done is soo pretty…I’m drooling…
So funny, I did something similar with bars….yours is much prettier than mine though.
Deeba
every thing in this blog is mouth watering and amazingly good. looking at this cake and the decoration on top, oh my ….
my husband is hinting that this will be a nice Valentine cake to taste…. Imagine, I cannot browse your beautiful cakes with him around me.
so amazing
Hey Deeba,
I tried this today and it was just delicious. One question though, my sponge cake did not rise for me to make 2 layers out of it. Can you tell me what did I do wrong. Another thing, you have not mentioned in your post when to add the instant coffee while making the spong cake.
Your cake looks too beautiful to be eaten!
Smells heavenly and tastes heavenly. Most beautiful decoration of this cake with brilliant color in this world
Deeba, I just linked to this cake from your Happy Feet post – all I can say is oooooooooh! I MUST try this. Soon. I hadn't found your beautiful site yet when you posted this. One of these days I hope to have time to peruse your archives. Yet another beautiful cake with your distinctive elegant touch.
hi Deeba,
Where have you added the coffee to the cake???
Shobha