Dark Chocolate Kahlua Mocha Cake (a.k.a Blackout Cake)

Oh this cake definitely takes the cake!  And it's a bit of a cheat along the way. ;)  Which makes it a perfect cake for all sorts of gatherings.

I needed to start things off right...so of course I have my mocha & the "cheat" in the forefront.

And then the other additives/supporting cast.  They make all the difference in the world. (the only components not included in this photo shoot...eggs, water & vegetable oil)

Follow the instructions on the cake mix box...with a little tweak to the water measurement. I substitute half of the water for Kahlua liqueur. (if you don't like Kahlua, use 1 Tbsp. of instant coffee mixed with the called for water measurement)

Always make sure to scrape down the sides to get everything incorporated.

Chop and drop in the chocolate chips and the coffee granules! (I tend to go with decaf granules since there is so much chocolate already)

Batter goes into an oil sprayed and lightly floured Bundt pan, into the oven and comes out looking like this!

Hold back and allow it to fully cool before adding...

the Chocolate Mocha Ganache.

Dark Chocolate Kahlua Mocha Cake (Blackout Cake)

Prep: 15-20 minutes
Baking Time:
  Bundt®: 33-36 minutes
  Two 8": 26-31 minutes
  Two 9": 24-29 minutes
  13" x 9": 26-31 minutes
Level: Easy

Ingredients:
1 box Duncan Hines Classic Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake mix
3 Eggs
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
1/2 cup Water
1/2 cup Kahlua liqueur (or disolve 1 additional Instant Coffee granules to water)
2 Tbsp. Instant Coffee Granules
1/2 cup Girardelli 60% Cocoa Chocolate Chips

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 350°F for metal pan, 325°F for dark or coated pans. Grease the sides and bottom of the pan(s) with shortening or oil spray. Flour pan(s) lightly.

Chop chocolate chips and set aside.

In a large bowl blend cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water and Kahlua liqueur at low speed. 
Scrape down sides of bowl and blend at speed 2 for 15 seconds.  Add chocolate chips and coffee granules to batter. Blend at low speed for an additional 15 seconds.

Immediately pour batter into prepared pan and place in preheated oven.
Bake according to the time chart above. Add 3-5 minutes to bake time for dark or coated pans. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Invert and allow cake to cool completely before frosting with Chocolate Mocha Ganache.

Baked Goods & Desserts

For those times when you need something a little sweet or something extremely decadent, enjoy some of the recipes that have soothed my family's sweet tooth. 

Be sure to make adjustments to all Baked Goods recipes if you live in a high elevation (see my posting High Altitude Baking)

Banana Nutty Bread ~ One of my favorite breads to make
Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread ~ A change from the garlic bread norm
Cheesy Pub Beer Bread ~ So ridiculously good & simple to make. Ultimate comfort food! 
Cherry "Valentine Love" Pies ~ Extremely easy to make hand pies! Great for kiddle bakers too! 
Chocolate Flecked Coconut Bark (Cocada con Chocolate) ~ It's like having a warm Mounds bar 
Dark Chocolate Kahlua Mocha Cake (a.k.a. Blackout Cake) ~  Ridiculously decadent for dark chocolate & coffee lovers (with a little quick cheat along the way)
Fyrstekake ~ Norwegian Almond Coffee Cake (Royalty Cake) ~ A wonderful Norwegian coffee cake packed with almonds** 
Grandma Stella's Cornbread ~ My Grammy's cornbread recipe (traditional or sweet) The Keys' Key Lime Scones ~ Buttery scones with a little key lime "zing" 
Kransekake ~ Norwegian Crown Cake or “Viking” Wedding Cake ~ Almond "cake" ringed tower**
PB & J Freezes ~ Be a kid again...frozen graham cracker PB & J sandwiches
Personal Spiced Pineapple Upside Down Cakes ~ A small twist on the classic pineapple upside down cake 
Princess Cupcakes ~ A fun twist to plain cupcakes 
Spiced Monkey Bread ~ This monkey bread is the hit of any breakfast, brunch or dessert **
Sweet Potato Banana Crumble Casserole ~ If you like sweet potatoes, you will love this recipe...if you don't like them, then you will love this casserole. Perfect as a side or dessert dish! ** ** No high altitude changes necessary

Black & White Cranberry Almond Cookies

COOKIES    
Black & White Chocolate Chip Cookies ~ Simple semi sweet chocolate chips meet white chocolate chips
Black & White Cranberry Almond Cookies ~ Semi sweet & white chocolate chips combined with cranberries and almonds
Cheat-N-Eat Candy Cane Cookies ~ Perfect way to dress-up sugar cookies for the holiday season
Cranberry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies ~ A wonderful combination of cranberries, almonds & chocolate
Exceptional Chocolate Chip Cookies  ~ My favorite (and simple) chocolate chip cookies
Fortune Cookies - Almond ~ A very simple recipe that I found in Woman's World 2008 

SCONES 
Scrumptious Citrus Chocolate Chip Scones ~ The marriage of orange & chocolate in a scone!**
Cranberry Orange Scones ~ A classic scone, but a little less dense than store-bought**
The Keys' Key Lime Scones ~ Tart and sweet combine in perfect harmony

FROSTINGS
Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting ~ Fluffy & chocolatey  
Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting ~ Light, sweet & creamy
Chocolate Mocha Ganache ~ A chocolate & coffee lover's dream

PUDDINGS
Baileys Irish Cream & Chocolate Tapioca Pudding ~ Such a great way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Easter Pudding Baskets ~ A creative (& easy) kiddle recipe for Easter