Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper and then butter and flour the pans.
Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined.
In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ones.
With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.
Cool in the pans for 30 minutes and then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
Place one layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal.
With a knife or offset spatula, spread a thin layer of buttercream on the top only.
Place the second layer on top, flat side up, and spread the frosting evenly first on the sides and then on the top of the cake.
Cut in wedges and serve at room temperature.
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
6 oz. good semisweet chocolate
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 extra lg. egg yolk, at room temperature
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1¼ cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 Tbsp. instant coffee granules
Directions:
Individual Direction Step
Chop the chocolate and place it in a heatproof bowl over a pan over simmering water. Stir until just melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.
Beat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating for 3 minutes.
Turn the mixer to low, gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and then beat at medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary until smooth and creamy.
Dissolve the coffee in 2 teaspoons of the hottest tap water.
On low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended.
