This stunning cake is makes for every occasion in various decorations. Our recipe for this 4-layer-deliciousness, coated with an espresso frosting, is a crowd pleaser. Decorate this 4-layer Chocolate Cake for a garden party with edible flowers. Select fresh flowers to add some color to your chocolate cake.
Tips on flower choice
When selecting your edible flowers, make sure to do your research. Find out if the flowers or the stems are edible. Now, we didn’t eat these flowers, but you wouldn’t want questionable plants on your food. Also, I think this may go without saying but, don’t put flowers and plants that have been sprayed with pesticides on your cake. Pick fresh flowers and herbs and wash them in cold water to get any bugs off.
When you’re adding the flowers, you’re looking for balance and scale. Balance the size and position of the flowers and watch the scale or size of the flowers. I balanced out the large marigold on the lower left with a taller snapdragon and sunflower on the upper right.
Balance the colors as well. I stuck to a bright and bold color palette of bright orange, yellow, and magenta. Add in some greens and white for accent, and it turned out stunning!
Now, isn’t this a beautiful way to end your summer?
Here’s a few more chocolate cakes that you might enjoy. Triple Chocolate Marshmallow Cake, and Triple Chocolate Whisky Cake.
4-layer Chocolate Cake with Coffee Frosting
Our recipe for this delicious 4-layer chocolate cake with espresso icing is a real crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 3/4 cups + 2 tablespoons flour
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 2/3 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons milk
- 2/3 cup strong, hot coffee (or boiling water)
For the Chocolate Espresso Frosting
- 7 oz. dark chocolate (70%)
- 2 1/2 cups salted butter
- 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 4 tablespoons strong coffee (or heavy cream)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare two 6-inch round cake pans with non-stick spray and flour and bake even strips.
- Melt the butter and let it cool. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and baking powder. Add the sugar, eggs, milk, and coffee to the dry ingredients. Beat until mixes and smooth.
- Divide the batter between the two pans and bake 30 -35 minutes.
- Cool the cakes in the pan for 15 minutes before turning them out on to a wire cooling rack.
For the frosting
- Break up the chocolate candy and melt the chocolate in the microwave for 20 seconds at 70% power. Stir it smooth and set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Beat the butter until light and creamy. Add in 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar and cocoa slowly until evenly blended. Mix in the melted chocolate and vanilla. Add in the coffee a little at a time until you’ve reached the frosting consistency. If your frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar and if the frosting is too thick add bit more of the coffee.
To decorate the cake
- Torte the cakes into four layers. Add frosting to each layer of cake, and then crumb coat the cake in a thin layer of frosting. Place the cake into the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up.
- Spread the remaining frosting on the cake and decorate as desired.
- Top with edible flowers and crushed cocoa nibs.
Notes
Recipe from Lomelino’s Cakes.
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Images, text and all other content Copyrighted©Karyn Granrud, Susanne Queck and Wunderlander Verlag LLC, or ©Pro Stock Media via Canva.com. Unlicensed republishing permitted. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn on qualified purchases.
Lovely looking cake! Great timing – just been looking for a chocolate cake recipe! I love the cake stands!
GREAT! This one was really yummy!! We loved it!
This is so pretty and elegant. I’m ready to have a garden party!!! ASAP.
The good news is chocolate cake is good year round. The bad news is you might have to look a little harder for flowers in the winter. Now is the perfect time for that garden party!
What a beautiful cake…and the thought of espresso frosting yum!
Thanks so much. It was just a little extra kick of flavor to enhance the chocolate 🙂
Both the garden and the cake are stunning! Torting a cake into four layers adds so much drama. A perfect palate for fresh flowers! One of my favorite things about living in a small town is the ability to “know” someone in just about every occupation.
This cake is absolutely stunning! I can’t stop staring at those photos!!
What a gorgeous cake! I’ve never had edible flowers before!
That cake and setting are both gorgeous and I’m so craving a big slice of it!
My mother in law LOVES to host tea parties! This would be a perfect addition for her!
You can never go wrong with a chocolate cake. All the ladies will love it!