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Chocolate Mocha Cake

prep time: 30 min | bake time: 30 min | total time: 1 hr

Chocolate Mocha Cake is a coffee lover’s dream come true! Imagine the deep, indulgent richness of chocolate meeting the bold, wake-you-up magic of espresso—sounds dreamy, right? Well, that’s exactly what this cake delivers! It’s fudgy, moist, and infused with just the right amount of coffee to enhance that deep cocoa flavor. And the best part? It’s completely eggless, so whether you're baking for dietary needs or just forgot to pick up eggs, you’re still in for a treat.

This Chocolate Mocha Cake Recipe Is So Good, You Won’t Believe It’s Eggless!

No eggs? No problem! My Chocolate Mocha Cake Recipe is proof that you don’t need eggs to create a rich, moist, and indulgent dessert. The combination of hot milk and vinegar works wonders as a substitute, giving the cake its soft, tender crumb while allowing the bold flavors of espresso and cocoa to shine.

 

Every bite is packed with deep chocolatey goodness, balanced with just the right amount of coffee to elevate the taste without overpowering it.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or a total beginner, this foolproof recipe will have you whipping up a bakery-worthy treat in no time.

Eggless chocolate mocha cake recipe

And let’s talk about that mocha whipped cream frosting—it’s a game changer! Light, fluffy, and infused with espresso, it melts in your mouth and complements the cake beautifully. The best part? You can easily make this cake dairy-free by using plant-based milk and a vegan whipping cream. So, whether you’re baking for dietary restrictions or just looking for an easy, delicious treat, this Chocolate Mocha Cake is about to become your new go-to dessert.

So, are you ready to bake the best vegan chocolate mocha cake recipe of your life? Let’s do this!

Tools You’ll Need to Make Chocolate Mocha Cake

Make your baking experience even better with these equipment:

Now that you’re all set with the right tools, let’s get baking!

Chocolate mocha Cake

Chocolate Mocha Cake Ingredients

Ingredients for The Cake

  • Hot Milk: Like a magic potion for cocoa and coffee, hot milk dissolves them into a velvety blend, creating a deep, rich flavor. It also keeps the cake extra moist, ensuring every bite is melt-in-your-mouth soft.
  • White Vinegar or Lemon Juice: This sneaky little ingredient acts as the secret leavening agent, working with baking soda to make the cake rise beautifully. It replaces eggs effortlessly, making the texture light, fluffy, and absolutely irresistible.
  • Instant Coffee or Espresso Powder: The ultimate flavor booster, coffee deepens the chocolatey goodness, making the cake taste like a mocha dream. A little goes a long way in creating that bold, café-style richness.
  • Light Brown Sugar: More than just sweetness, it brings a caramel-like depth and keeps the cake extra soft and moist. That slight hint of molasses? Pure flavor magic!
  • Vanilla Extract: Think of this as the flavor harmonizer—it smooths out the bold espresso and cocoa notes while adding a cozy, warm sweetness. Without it, the cake just wouldn’t have the same depth of flavor.
  • Vegetable or Sunflower Oil: The key to an ultra-moist cake, oil makes sure every slice stays rich, tender, and fresh for days. Plus, it keeps the cake from drying out, so you can savor every bite.
  • All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cake, flour gives it structure while keeping it fluffy and light. It holds all the deliciousness together without making the cake too dense.
  • Cocoa Powder: This is where the deep, intense chocolate flavor comes from, giving the cake its signature dark richness. It also balances the sweetness with just a touch of bitterness, making every bite even more indulgent.
  • Cornstarch: The secret to that perfectly tender crumb, cornstarch adds softness and helps the cake hold together beautifully. It’s like a little insurance policy against toughness!
  • Baking Soda: When combined with vinegar, it creates tiny air bubbles that make the cake rise to fluffy perfection. No eggs? No worries—this dynamic duo has you covered!
  • Baking Powder: Double the leavening power! This works alongside baking soda to give the cake extra lift, ensuring a light, airy texture.
  • Salt: A tiny pinch makes a huge difference—it amplifies the chocolate and coffee flavors, balancing the sweetness while making everything taste richer.
Simple vegan chocolate cake with coffee flavor

Ingredients for the Mocha Whipped Cream Frosting

  • Whipping Cream: The star of the frosting show, whipping cream transforms into a cloud-like dream that’s light, airy, and oh-so-luscious. It melts in your mouth, creating the perfect contrast to the rich, fudgy cake beneath it.
  • Vanilla Extract: This little bottle of magic enhances the cream’s natural sweetness while adding a cozy warmth that ties all the flavors together. A splash of vanilla makes the frosting taste homemade, indulgent, and totally irresistible.
  • Cocoa Powder: Deep, dark, and utterly delicious, cocoa powder gives the frosting that signature mocha vibe. It adds just the right amount of chocolatey intensity to balance the sweetness and make every bite pure decadence.
  • Instant Coffee or Espresso Powder: A little bit of this magic dust takes the mocha flavor to the next level, giving your frosting that café-style richness. It’s like a shot of espresso for your taste buds—bold, aromatic, and the perfect complement to the chocolate.
  • Powdered Sugar: The secret to a silky, dreamy frosting, powdered sugar sweetens while making everything beautifully smooth and stable. It helps the frosting hold its shape, so every slice looks as stunning as it tastes!

Ingredients for the Topping

  • Cocoa Powder (for dusting): A final sprinkle of cocoa powder gives the cake a bakery-worthy finish, like a dusting of chocolatey magic. It’s the perfect touch of elegance with an extra hit of deep, rich cocoa flavor in every bite.
  • Freshly Brewed Coffee (optional for soaking cake): This secret trick takes the mocha flavor to the next level, infusing every layer with bold, aromatic goodness. Plus, it keeps the cake irresistibly moist, ensuring each forkful is melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
Chocolate mocha Cake

How to Make Chocolate Mocha Cake

Let’s get baking! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch (20cm) springform cake pan—because no one likes a cake that won’t come out of the pan.

Line it with baking paper for extra insurance, and you’re good to go!

Step-by-step process for eggless mocha cake

In a bowl, whisk together hot milk and vinegar and let it sit for about 5 minutes—this magic combo acts as a buttermilk substitute, making your cake extra soft and tender.

Once ready, stir in instant coffee, oil, vanilla extract, and sugar, whisking until the sugar dissolves like a dream.

Now for the dry team! Sift together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.

How to mix eggless chocolate mocha cake without overmixing

Gradually fold this mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until your batter is smooth, rich, and totally irresistible (no judgment if you sneak a taste!).

Pour the luscious batter into your prepared pan, smooth out the top, and bake for 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the center feels firm and a toothpick comes out clean—cue the heavenly chocolate aroma filling your kitchen!

Let the cake cool completely in the pan before removing it. If you want to go the extra mile, brush it with freshly brewed espresso for an added punch of mocha goodness.

Time for the frosting! In a mixing bowl, combine cold whipping cream, instant coffee, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar.

How to make eggless mocha cake soft and moist
Best frosting for eggless chocolate mocha cake

Whip it up with an electric whisk until stiff peaks form—thick, airy, and downright dreamy.

Spread the luscious mocha whipped cream frosting over the cooled cake, making it as swirly and beautiful as your heart desires.

Finish with a dusting of cocoa powder, then pop it in the fridge for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld. When it’s time to dig in, warm up a knife for those picture-perfect slices. Now, slice, serve, and enjoy every chocolatey, coffee-kissed bite!

Chocolate mocha Cake

Elevate Your Chocolate Mocha Cake With These Toppings

Why settle for ordinary when you can make your chocolate mocha cake unforgettable? These toppings add flavor, texture, and a touch of indulgence to every bite!

  • Chocolate Shavings: A generous sprinkle of finely grated dark, milk, or white chocolate makes every forkful extra luscious. Because more chocolate is always a good idea!
  • Cocoa Powder or Espresso Dust: A light dusting of cocoa or finely ground espresso intensifies the mocha magic with a bold kick. Perfect for coffee lovers who like their desserts with a little extra buzz!
  • Toasted Nuts: Crunchy walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts bring a delicious contrast to the cake’s soft, fudgy texture. Plus, they make you feel a little fancy while adding a nutty depth of flavor.
  • Caramel Drizzle: A warm, buttery caramel swirl melts into the cake, creating a sweet and salty masterpiece. It’s like a hug for your taste buds!
  • Whipped Coconut Cream: Light, fluffy, and subtly sweet, this dairy-free dream topping adds a tropical twist. It’s so good, you’ll want to eat it by the spoonful!
  • Fresh Berries: Juicy raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries bring a vibrant, tart contrast to all that rich chocolate. Bonus: they make your cake look extra Instagram-worthy!

Mix, match, and pile them high—because your cake deserves to be as fabulous as you are!

Eggless coffee chocolate cake for dessert

Chocolate Mocha Cake Recipe FAQ

Watch This Video For Making Chocolate Mocha Cake

Follow these Tips and Your Chocolate Mocha Cake will be Rich, Moist, and Absolutely Delicious

  • Use hot coffee for deeper flavor: Hot brewed coffee or espresso enhances the chocolate and keeps the cake extra moist. It won’t make the cake taste like coffee, just richer.
  • Don’t overmix the batter: Stir just until the ingredients are combined to keep the cake light and tender. Overmixing can lead to a dense texture.
  • Chill your mixing bowl for frosting: If making whipped frosting, a cold bowl and beaters help achieve stiff peaks faster and create a fluffier consistency.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting: A warm cake will melt the frosting and make decorating a mess. For best results, chill the cake layers before assembling.
  • Balance sweetness with espresso or salt: A pinch of espresso powder or salt in the frosting deepens the chocolate flavor and prevents it from tasting overly sweet.
Chocolate Mocha Cake Recipe

Did You Make This Chocolate Mocha Cake?

I can’t wait to see your chocolate mocha cake creations! Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or just indulging in a well-deserved treat, this cake is sure to impress. Snap a photo, tag me @pastrybysaloni, and let’s celebrate your masterpiece together!

If you’re loving this recipe, there’s more where that came from. My collection of eggless and dairy-free bakes is packed with decadent delights—from rich, fudgy cakes to melt-in-your-mouth pastries (minus the dairy, but not the flavor!). Trust me, your sweet tooth will thank you!

Here are my top three must-try desserts:

And finally… grab a copy of my cookbook Vegan Baking Made Simple – this is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about baking traditional recipes without dairy or eggs! Available on Amazon HERE

Saloni Mehta Pastry Chef and Food Blogger

Meet Saloni

I’m a former pastry chef with a love for breads, cakes and everything in between! My recipes are easy to follow, egg free and are designed to be shared with others!

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Chocolate Mocha Cake Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Chocolate Mocha Cake

Chocolate Mocha Cake is a coffee lover’s dream come true! Imagine the deep, indulgent richness of chocolate meeting the bold, wake-you-up magic of espresso—sounds dreamy, right? Well, that’s exactly what this cake delivers! It’s fudgy, moist, and infused with just the right amount of coffee to enhance that deep cocoa flavor. And the best part? It’s completely eggless, so whether you're baking for dietary needs or just forgot to pick up eggs (we’ve all been there), you’re still in for a treat.
Rate
Yield: 12 servings
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake Ingredients

Mocha Whipped Cream Frosting Ingredients

Topping Ingredients

  • 1-2 tbsp Cocoa Powder for dusting
  • 60 ml Freshly Brewed Coffee or Coffee Syrup optional to soak the cake to keep it moist

Instructions

How to Make the Chocolate Cake:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch (20cm) springform cake pan with baking paper to prevent sticking.
  • In a bowl, mix hot milk and vinegar; let it sit for 5 minutes to create a tangy buttermilk substitute that enhances moisture.
  • Add instant coffee, oil, vanilla extract, and sugar to the buttermilk mixture; whisk until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture becomes smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until you achieve a silky, lump-free batter.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top; bake for about 25 minutes, or until the center feels firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Let the cake cool completely in the pan before unmolding; for a deeper coffee essence, brush or soak the cake with freshly brewed espresso once cooled.

How to Make the Mocha Frosting:

  • In a mixing bowl, combine cold whipping cream, instant coffee, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar.
  • Using an electric whisk, beat the mixture until stiff peaks form; the frosting should be thick and airy.
  • Soak the cake in freshly brewed coffee or coffee syrup if desired. Spread the whipped mocha frosting evenly over the cooled cake; for an elegant touch, dust the top with a light sprinkle of cocoa powder.
  • Refrigerate the frosted cake for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the frosting to set; when ready to serve, dip a knife in warm water for clean, effortless slices.
  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Cup vs. Weighing Scale: The US customary cup measurement serves as a rough estimate and can lead to inconsistencies; for precise results, always weigh your ingredients using a digital scale in grams.
  • Ingredient Preparation: Before starting any recipe, measure and prepare all ingredients in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient process.
    Measuring Spoons: For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, always use standard measuring spoons rather than regular eating spoons for accuracy.
  • Milk: You can use any dairy-free unsweetened milk (such as almond, soy, or oat milk) or dairy-based whole milk as needed.
  • Lemon Juice: Can be substituted with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, and vice versa.
  • Whipping Cream: Choose dairy-free unsweetened whipping cream for a vegan and dairy-free option, or use any full-fat whipping cream of your choice.
  • Sugar: Cane sugar can be replaced with granulated sugar or caster sugar; ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly (some sugars are processed with bone char) or use organic cane sugar for a guaranteed vegan option.

Did you try this recipe? Leave a review!

2 Responses

  1. 5 stars
    Hi Saloni, tried this recipe and it’s a great success. everyone liked it especially my kids…just wanted to know whether this chocolate cake recipe can used used as a base for making any chocolate cake. thanks

    1. Hi Vanathi,
      I’m so glad to hear that the recipe was a success and that your kids loved it! 😊 Yes, this chocolate cake recipe can definitely be used as a base for other chocolate cakes. You can easily adapt it by adding different fillings, frosting, or layers to suit your preferences. Just keep in mind that depending on the changes you make, you might need to adjust baking time or temperature.

5 from 1 vote

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