For the cake:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon fine salt
2/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
2/3 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
2/3 cup whole milk, at room temperature
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), at room temperature, plus more as needed
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs, at room temperature
For the mocha buttercream:
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
6 ounces milk chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
For the cake:
1Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish with butter and flour; set aside.
2Whisk together the measured flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
3Whisk together the cocoa, boiling water, and espresso powder in a small bowl until combined. Slowly whisk in the milk; set aside.
4Place the measured butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium-high speed until fluffy and light in color, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla and continue to beat for another 4 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle with a rubber spatula.
5Return the mixer to medium-high speed. Add the eggs 1 at a time, letting each incorporate fully before adding the next. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle again.
6Add a third of the flour mixture and turn the mixer to low speed, mixing until the flour is just incorporated. Add half of the cocoa mixture and mix until just incorporated. Continue adding the remaining flour mixture and cocoa mixture, alternating between each and ending with the flour, until all of the ingredients are incorporated and smooth. Stop the mixer, remove the bowl, and stir in any remaining flour streaks by hand, making sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl.
7Pour the batter into the prepared dish and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 15 minutes, then rotate the dish. Continue baking until the cake edges slightly pull away from the dish and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry with just a few crumbs, about 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting, at least 2 hours.
For the mocha buttercream:
1Fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Place the espresso powder in a small bowl, add 1 teaspoon of the boiling water, and stir until the powder has dissolved; set aside.
2Reduce the heat to low so the water is just simmering. Place the milk and bittersweet chocolates in a heatproof bowl large enough to sit over the water without touching it. Place the bowl over the saucepan and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Set aside until cooled slightly but still pourable, about 5 to 10 minutes.
3Beat the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4Add the dissolved espresso powder and beat until incorporated. Pour in the chocolate and mix until completely incorporated. Add the vanilla and salt and mix until incorporated. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle with a rubber spatula.
5Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until it’s incorporated and the mixture is creamy, about 1 1/2 minutes. Increase the speed to high and mix until lightened in color and fluffy, about 1 minute more.
6Spread all of the frosting in an even layer over the cooled cake. If you don’t plan to eat the cake within 4 hours, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes to take the chill off.
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