Ten years ago, my best friend Victor and I hung out together for the first time so I could tutor him in History (I am the biggest History nerd but really I had the biggest crush on him) and we decided on studying at Starbucks. He was an exchange student from Germany and we became the best of friends. After school, we’d go in my red beetle to Starbucks (Starbucks was his obsession) and he’d order his favorite drink completely out of order. Frappuccino Brownie Chocolate. (It’s a Chocolate Brownie Frappuccino)
He was a complete coffee fanatic and drooled more than me when it came to all things chocolate. At Christmas, I bought him two presents; a piece of chocolate from Starbucks and another expensive present. Victor was way more intrigued by the small piece of chocolate than the fancy present. (obviously!)
Exactly 7 ago years from tomorrow, Victor died suddenly while he was in college in Spain. The pain feels even worse now than it did then.
I had planned on making another dessert in Victor’s honor (I’m still making it eventually) but when Starbucks offered to send me packages of their coffees, I knew I had to use the coffees to create a dessert for Victor. If he was here today, he probably would have demanded (he was pretty demanding in a funny way) I make a chocolate cake with the coffee and then take him to Starbucks.
In the package I received Starbucks fall flavored coffees. Here are the Breakfast Blend, House Blend, Italian Roast and French Roast. For my cake, I used the French Roast which is a dark roast coffee and adds lots of richness to the cake. You can’t taste the coffee but it just really enhances the chocolate flavor of the cake.
I also received two new VIA Ready Brew flavors in Breakfast and House Blend. I’m officially obsessed with these packets of coffee. I’ve tried instant coffee before and didn’t love it. But these Starbucks instant coffees taste just like a freshly brewed cup of coffee. I’ve noticed at Starbucks they also have mocha, caramel and vanilla flavors and flavors for iced coffee. YUM! For my Mocha Buttercream, I used the House Blend and mixed in into the warm milk. Oh my goodness this buttercream would taste amazing on a car bumper. Seriously sooo good.
Giveaway Closed!
Giveaway time!
For the giveaway: Starbucks has graciously offered to send one winner a mix of Starbucks fall featured coffees valued at $25.
To enter:
Leave a comment
The giveaway will end on Sunday October 9th at midnight PST.
This giveaway is provided by Starbucks and only open to US residents (sorry to my international readers. I still love you!)
First we’ll start on the Black Magic Cake. Prepare the cake pans before you start on the cake. Spray two 8 inch round cake pans with non stick spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Spray the top of the parchment paper too. Set aside.
Sift 2 cups sugar, 1 3/4 cups flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt over a bowl of a stand mixer. Mix it up with the paddle attachment.
Now prepare the coffee maker. A cute barista didn’t come in the box with my coffee so I had to make it myself. I recommend using Starbucks’ French Roast for the cake. You want to make enough for 1 cup of coffee. Make it strong!
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup canola oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 2 large eggs.
Turn the mixer on low speed and slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
On low speed, slowly add in 1 cup of very hot strong coffee. Mmmmm coffee. You want to mix it until just combined again. Don’t go crazy mixing it up!
The batter will basically be liquid. Don’t worry! I promise you that it’ll work out. That’s why it’s a magic cake..get it? 
Divide the batter between the two cake pans and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
You need to put the cake pans in the oven right away and do not open the oven while they’re baking. This is very important because if you don’t listen, the cakes will sink in the middle and you’ll probably cry. Well maybe not but you’ll be sad and there’s no cute barista to comfort you.
Once the cakes are done baking, cool them in the pans for about 10 minutes on a cooling rack. Invert the cakes and remove the cakes from the pans. Then flip them back over. Let the cakes cool completely before frosting them.
While the cakes are cooling, make the Mocha Buttercream. Warm up 1/3 plus 1 Tablespoon of whole milk. You better use whole milk or I’m coming after you. Add in 1 packet of Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Coffee in House Blend. Yes we want this coffee to be strong! Set it aside and let it cool.
Sift 3 cups of powdered sugar and set it aside. You know what sifted powdered sugar looks like right?
Sift 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder over a bowl of a stand mixer. Pour in 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter. Mix it up on medium speed until it’s completely combined. Ooohh butter how I love you. Victor loved you too butter.
Add in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix.
Alternate between adding the coffee and the powdered sugar on low speed. Once it’s combined, increase the speed to medium high and mix for about 3 minutes.
Now it’s time to assemble the cakes. If domes formed on the tops of your cakes, you’ll want to cut them off with a serrated knife. (I have a fancy cake decorating tool but a serrated knife works great) Place one cake down.
Fit a piping bag with a round decorating tip and fill it with some of the mocha buttercream.
Pipe the buttercream around the edge. This will help the filling stay in the middle of the cake.
Plop (yes that’s my choice of words today) a pile of buttercream in the center.
Spread it out over the entire surface of the cake with a small spatula. Make sure you don’t go higher than the outside circle of buttercream.
Place the other cake on top.
Use the rest of the buttercream to frost the sides and then the top. Enjoy!
Black Magic Cake with Mocha Buttercream
Cake
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/2 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup freshly brewed strong coffee, make sure it’s very hot. I used Starbucks French Roast
Mocha Buttercream
1/3 cup plus 1 Tablespoon whole milk
1 packet Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Coffee (House Blend)
3 cups powdered sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare the cake pans. Take two 8 inch cake pan and spray them with non stick spray. (I use the non stick spray called Baker’s Joy. It’s combined with flour) Line the bottoms of each pan with parchment paper. Spray the top of the parchment paper with non stick spray. Set the cake pans aside.
Sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and kosher salt over a bowl of a stand mixer. Mix it up with the paddle attachment.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, canola oil, vanilla extract and eggs. Set aside.
Prepare the coffee maker and start brewing the coffee. Make sure it’s strong and hot! It’s important that the coffee is very hot when you add it to the batter because if it isn’t, your batter will have a lot of lumps and the cake will sink in the middle while it’s baking.
Turn the mixer on low speed and slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Pour in the coffee and mix until just combined. Be careful not to over mix the batter.
Divide the batter between the two cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
It’s very important that you put the cakes in the oven right away and do not open the oven until the cakes are done. (Doing these two things will cause the middles of the cake to sink inward)
Once the cakes are done baking, cool them for 10 minutes on a cooling rack. Invert the cakes onto the cooling rack and take them out of the pans. Then flip the cakes back over. Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
While the cakes are cooling, begin making the Mocha Buttercream:
Sift the powdered sugar and set aside.
To prepare the coffee, warm up the milk. (make sure it’s hot enough to dissolve the coffee) Add the entire packet of VIA Ready Brew Coffee to the warm milk and whisk to completely combine. Allow the coffee to cool down before adding it to the buttercream.
Sift the cocoa powder over a bowl of a stand mixer. Add in the melted butter and mix it with the paddle attachment until completely combined (a couple of minutes).
Add in the vanilla extract and mix.
On low speed, alternate between adding the powdered sugar and coffee. Once all of the ingredients are added, increase the speed to medium high and mix for 2-3 minutes. Set the buttercream aside.
After the cakes are done cooling, remove any domes that have formed on the cakes with a serrated knife. You want to have a flat surface on both cakes. This will make it easier to stack, fill and frost the cakes.
To assemble the cake:
Take a piping bag and fit it with a round decorating tip. Fill the piping bag up with the Mocha Buttercream. Place a cake down and pipe the frosting around the edge of the cake. Put some of the Mocha Buttercream in the center of the cake. Using a small spatula, spread the buttercream out evenly. The buttercream that you’ve spread in the middle should not be higher than the circle of buttercream around the edge.
Place the other cake on top. Frost the sides of the cake and then frost the top of the cake. Enjoy!
Cake looks delicious!
This looks soooo yummmmmy!
WOW…what a cake!! Love Starbucks too!
So sorry for your loss
“Oh my goodness this buttercream would taste amazing on a car bumper.” — LOVE IT!! That cracked me up!
Your cake looks absolutely wonderful. I know your friend Victor would love it too.
That cake looks delicious ……
1. freaking KILLER cake! 2. I am so sorry about Victor, that hurts my heart for you. 3. I love me some coffee!
Love this recipe and can’t wait to make it. Great icing tips, too. Your photos are awesome! And, of course, I’m always DyingforChocolate!
Yum, that looks so delicious!!
Awesome cake and a great story, thanks for the Twitter follow and your blog is fantstic looking.
Take care and thoughts to Victor, he sounds like he liked coffee as much as I do
cake: OMG!
starbucks giveaway: OMG!
me: excited
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. It always hurts the same no matter how long ago it was.
The cake is gorgeous and I hope that making it was therapeutic as well! Isn’t chocolate and coffee ALWAYS therapeutic?
Gorgeous cake and Victor sounds like he was a great friend and the best kind of friends; the coffee loving type! I think he’d love love this cake
I know I do!
Looks yummy!
I can’t think of anything I love more than a rich mocha cake. Mocha cake made with Starbucks… well “shut up!”, You couldn’t have expressed the love you still have for your friend Victor any better than with this tribute. A taste of pure heaven from which he now hails and I am certain praying for you and bragging about this to his celestial buddies. Thank you this one we have to try!
Chocolate and coffee = sweet bliss! Being a coffee fanatic myself and quite the baker/cook I’m not sure how I haven’t used coffee in baking yet! Totally need to try this!
Keeping your friend’s memory alive with a special dessert like this is such a wonderful thing. It’s amazing how food has the unique ability to help us remember and celebrate in both good time and bad. Thank you for sharing your touching story and delicious recipe.
What a great way to honor your friend. Thank you for the giveaway too!
That cake looks spectacular! I’m about to go get out my apron! And what a great giveaway…this time of year, I drink coffee like there is no tomorrow. Yum!
Oh my goodness, that looks positively decadent! And what a lovely story too!
I always make my chocolate cakes with coffee, but never thought about doing a mocha buttercream! Also, that cake is making my mouth water.
I’m not usually a huge fan of chocolate cake (I need it to be super moist!) but this looks so good that I can’t even help myself! The chocolate frosting looks better than anything else I’ve tried, too, so that’ll definitely have to be tried soon!
Okay, cake supergood. With SBux coffee in it, fantastic. I have a great Jack mug I could fill to the brim with milk. Would go perfect!
your cake looks AMAZING! and i would LOVE to win some yummy Starbucks! What a great giveaway!
so sorry for your loss. this cake does look fabulous though. I love coffee in anything and everything!
This cake looks sooo delicious, I would love a piece right now! Yummm. Awesome giveaway as well, thanks!
I “stumbled” upon your blog a few months ago & immediately signed up for updates!
Baking (I accidentally typed bacon. Freudian slip?) & coffee are both therapeutic. I am sorry for your loss.
I can’t wait to try my hand at baking this cake!
What a great way to celebrate the life of a friend. The cake looks delectable and I’m sure Starbucks coffee only makes it better!
OMG this cake looks sooooooooo good! Love all the coffee in it! Love your recipes
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure he would appreciate you baking delicious goodies in his honor. And starbucks and chocolate? I can’t think of a better match
OMG THAT CAKE! I want it NOW!!!!
Great frosting tip! Now if only I can get my cakes to look as pretty as yours …
Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Coffee + chocolate…. what a wonderful autumn delight!
this cake looks great
looks incredible! i’m sure if you waft the smell your friend will get it. cheers for sharing!
What a great story! I had a similar friend in high school who I have kept in touch with since and he loved Starbucks also!
Your cake looks amazing….wow, so rich and decadent and beautiful!
And I love coffee!!
This looks sooo yummy! I wish I could eat some right now. You always have the best desserts!
So sorry about your friend, but what a sweet way to remember him. Looks delicious!
Coffee and chocolate! This is the perfect Wednesday blog. Thanks!
Beautiful cake and beautiful memories!
This looks delicious and I would surely love to win!! Starbucks coffee is the best
Amazing.. This looks so delicious!!! I would love to win!
I’m so sorry about your friend. On the bright side, I think he (and anyone else for that matter) would have loved this cake. It looks so chocolatey and the frosting looks too lucious for words! *drool*
We are very big fans of VIA for camping trips in our house. I actually have some in the pantry and, naturally, love chocolate cake. I may have to try this for our next dessert. Thanks for sharing!
so sorry for your loss. sounds like a great cake to honor him with.
I LOVE YOUR BLOG! and that cake looks so yummy.
So sorry about Victor. That cake looks amazing so I’m sure he would have loved it!
This looks amazing!! I love the mocha buttercream. That is one of my favorites!
I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure he’d love your cake.
im sorry to hear about your best friend. Baking does help me through tough times. I’m sure victor is smiling (and drooling) down on you and this cake.
Chocolate + Cake = *passes out*
So sorry for your loss. You’ve created a beautiful cake to honor his memory and it’s gorgeous. I’m bookmarking this one to make real soon.
I am sorry for the pain you feel. I am glad you can find some peace in remembering your friend through amazing feats of cooking.
Another dessert I want to make! This would be a hit with my chocoholics!
PS…I blogged about my first donuts today
I have recently started trolling the interwebz for yummy treats to make for my boyfriend and his new coworkers, and I have to say, not only do I love your cakes (in cupcake form :p) but so does everyone around here! Thanks for the goodies!
oh girl that is so sad! I’m sure he would have loved this cake. *big hug*
Sending a virtual hug. Chocolate probably wont help ease the pain, but it’s worth a try. Delicious looking cake.
I love the way you chose to remember/honor your friends memory! That cake looks amazing. And having coffee in it, can’t hurt =)
This cake is the next cake I will be baking! Sounds fabulous~
My best friend from 1st to 11th grade was this wonderful boy who worked at a Dunkin Donuts and loved all things coffee related and would have loved this recipe. He also, is no longer with us. I miss him always.
He would have owned some sort of creative venue, like a restaurant…or something great.
OK, I definitely need to make this cake!! Yum, it looks amazing. Great giveaway, I love Starbucks coffee!
Sorry about the loss of your friend. If you send the Starbucks my way, we’ll make this cake in his honor. And I’ll appreciate you every morning when I drink coffee on my commute to work. Feel sad for me; I live an hour away from a Starbucks!
Good Lord! I’m tweeting this! Yum Yum!
This looks crazy good. Clearly, Victor was a smart man with his choco-coffee obsession. Thx for this post!
I am so very sorry about the loss of your friend. Isn’t it wonderful, though, that we can make beautiful meals or desserts and cherish their memories through these treats? I hope that making this cake brought you some peace and that you continue to have that peace this holiday season. This cake looks divine and I can’t wait to make it! Love your blog! Thanks for the opportunity to win something!
Hello! First off sorry for your loss. How awesome was it to get these coffees, it really was like your friend was with you with this. It is weird how things work.
2nd, this cake looks amazing, I want it, and I want it now, if it wasn’t so late I would make it : ). Thank you for your blog!!!!
Amazing cake, amazing story, amazing photos, amazing giveaway–amazing person. You are an inspiration!!
Also, I’m really pumped about the Starbys. But more about the other stuff, I promise.
What an absolutely beautiful cake!!! ……and a lovely tribute to your friend.
So sorry to hear about your friend. This cake looks amazing, from the way you described him I’m sure he’d approve
That cake looks fabulous. A nice way to remember your friend!
That looks amazing! There’s nothing better than the coffee/chocolate combo and in cake form to boot? *swoons*
The cake looks delicious! I’m sorry to hear about your friend. I’m sure he would have loved this cake.
Coffee and chocolate…two of my very favorite ingredients…can’t go wrong with that! Beautiful cake!!
What a lovely way to honor your friend! I’m so sorry for your pain and loss – sending big virtual hugs your way.
Among my group of friends it is well known that I have two weaknesses: coffee and chocolate. This recipe is Heaven on Earth for me. Thank you so very much for this wonderful work of art! I decided to turn this recipe into cupcakes, rather than a whole cake to help with portion-control…otherwise, I’d eat the whole damn thing!
Sorry for your lost. That cake looks fantastic…. I love everything coffee. Coffee in the cake/frosting, I would probably make myself sick eating to much at one time!!! Keep up the good work.
I am so sorry about your dear friend. Life sure is unfair and unkind. I’m sure he’d be over the moon for this cake. This is a wonderful way to pay homage to him. Big hugs!
What a touching post this is. This is a wonderful cake to make to remember your friend!
What a beautiful cake and a beautiful post. Sending my thoughts your way.
The cake looks amazing – and I’m sorry for your loss. Victor sounds like he was a great guy….
this looks so delish!! perfect for fall!!
Thanks for the chance. I love their coffee and your cake looks so delicious!
Oh my, they make a chocolate brownie frap? I’ve never actually seen that before, DO WANT <3
They don’t have it anymore. Starbucks had it 10 years ago.
Yum – that looks amazing – want some now!!
Sue
Coffee and Chocolate….two things I need daily. The cake looks amazing!
Oh that looks like a mouthful of joy! Rich baby! Bring it!
This cake is gorgeous, and truly “magic.” Such a wonderful tribute to your friend Victor. and made with Love.
If I win the coffee, will the cute Barista come to my house and make the coffee for me?
What a lovely cake!
Coffee and chocolate is a winning combination. You frost so well, my cakes never look that tidy!
Holy cow! You gt a lot of comments!
The cake looks beautiful, and the recipe sounds delicious. My favorite coffee is chocolate flavored. (Sorry, not Starbucks!). Guess I won’t win now!
The cake was a great tribute to a lost friend. I know how much that can hurt!
thanks for doing a giveaway in honor of your friend!
i love starbucks! especially those VIA packets!
xo jeanette
http://www.simplychicforcheap.wordpress.com
Delicious recipes, as always…but heartwarming story makes me want to make this recipe — for the “Victor” in all our lives.
Thanks for sharing –
Kevin
This cake looks DIVINE! I’m in love with your method for icing the cake, and I think I’m going to have to try it out soon
Black Magic Cake is one of my longtime faves! I always frost it with mocha buttercream or mocha ganache flavored with a coffee extract from France. Using Starbucks Via is a good idea! I’d love to win some Vias.
That cake looks and sounds delicious!
Lindsay- I’m so sorry that you lost a friend so tragically at such a young age:-( I bet he would have loved this cake and loved your blog! Thinking of you!
That cake looks INCREDIBLE!
So sorry about your friend. My best friend passed away 6 years this November. You are so right, it still hurts as much now as it did then. Sounds like he would’ve been a big fan of this cake! What a nice way to remember him.
So sad about your friend, but I am glad you can enjoy the memories of the time together.
Not a day goes by without my morning coffee! However, you have made use of it in a very delicious way. The cake looks like it has great texture and is no doubt delicious.
Those instant packs are something I need to try, sometimes a whole pot is just too much when my husband is out of town. Great post and nice giveaway!
I’m so sorry about your friend. I know the scars run deep with the loss of a good friend like that. I’m sure he would have loved this cake. It looks delicious and a delight to every chocolate and coffee lover (like me)!
That cake looks amazing (as does everything you make!)!!
I wish this was open to Canadians! I love Starbuck’s coffee and order a drink from there daily, it’s a University necessity
I have been lurking your website for a while now. I’m actually using a few of your recipes for my dessert bar at my wedding reception in 16 days…I can’t believe it’s that close.
This cake looks delicious, and I would probably lick the plate clean if I had a piece (I’ve been known to really really enjoy my chocolate!)
Sorry for your loss! How sweet of you to make something in his memory even 7 years later. He must have meant a lot to you. The cake looks full of chocolately goodness!
we have a few things in common….
I too lost a dear friend , I love Coffee, and chocolate…..
Cant wait to make this cake!
I just started drinking coffee again!
Wonderful story and tribute to your friend Victor. This looks wonderful Lindsay and I can’t wait to try it.
I love Starbucks & mixing it with cakes makes it sounds even better
I would have a hard time deciding whether to bake or drink that coffee!
That cakes looks absolutely sinful!
Wow, that cake looks utterly delicious. Coffee and chocolate go together so well.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss.
Love me some starbucks! Looks yummy!
I think that Starbucks was and still is everybody’s obsession lol..hate those long lines, but it’s so worth it
)
Your cake look and sound magical..you did beautiful job!!
Congrats on well deserved nomination..!!!
Something told me to check out your blog today and I just want you to know the whole time you were talking about Victor I was smiling more and more because your anecdote was so cute. The second I hit the second paragraph I felt like I’d been punched in the throat. I can’t imagine going through that and I wanted you to know, even from that first brief paragraph I definitely feel for you and I’m so sorry for your loss.
There’s no tactful way to segue into this , but the cake looks delicious and your pic are incredible, as always!
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. I hope this cake acted as a celebration of him.
It looks delicious (as always) and I’d love some Starbucks
That cake looks Amazing!!!
That deep chocolate color is beautiful Lindsey! I love chocolate desserts with hints of coffee!
Ok, I’m a total starbucks addict so this looks amazing. I just found your blog a few weeks ago and actually everything you make looks amazing and so original ! Keep em coming
My “go to” chocolate cake recipe calls for hot coffee. I used Starbucks one time and had people asking what I had done differently because they didn’t think it could get better. Guess what … it did, thanks to Starbucks!
Honestly BEST baking blog ever, seriously, I just cam across you for the first time last night! JUST pulled some of your pumpkin bars out of the oven
And yum yum starbucks! I’m 5 stars away from green level status with them – my friends and I are on a race to gold level 
Oh my! This cake would be just perfect for a Halloween celebration! My family loves chocolate – bet this recipe would make awesome cupcakes too – thanks for a great recipe and giveaway!
This sounds and looks delicious! I just stumbled upon your website today–can’t wait to try some of these goodies! Thanks for the inspiration.
omg YUM! And I love the little story, I am so sorry to hear about your friend- that is horrible but I love that you bring such beauty and memory to such a simple story.
Can I just say how much I love Mocha Buttercream! Can’t wait to make this cake – I think it would be perfect for our pre-thanksgiving dinner. Combining chocolate and delicious, delicious Starbucks is just heavenly! xo
Victor and I sound like we would get along- chocolate? Coffee? Chocolate coffee cake? So sorry for your loss, but thanks for sharing your memories with us.
Lindsey, this cake sounds absolutely amazing! Sorry to hear about Victor’s tragic death, but how wonderful you are honoring him with a dessert he would love! It is beautiful, and I can only imagine how good it is with the layers of dark chocolate cake and mocha buttercream! Love the addition of the sprinkles on the outside
!
This looks like the perfect cake for my chocolate lover husband. It looks so moist! Thanks for the recipe!
Wow! I love the coffee and chocolate combo in the cake!
This cake looks beautiful especially your mocha buttercream! Love the addition of the Starbucks coffee in the cake too. Yum!
This sounds great! My hubs is a fan of Mocha things, and I’m dying to make it for him! I just need a special occasion to do it…how about…because it’s Friday? Or should I go crazy and do a “Happy Columbus Day” cake?
I’m just getting into cake baking and decorating and have been testing and trying out cake recipes lately to find the best out there! I’m betting this will be one of them! Love your blog! Thanks for the inspiration!
The cake looks super yummy!
I’m just learning to love coffee at the age of 31. Especially great phasing it into my life in food as I learn to drink it.
How sad, to lose your friend like that. So sorry. I’m sure, even after 7 years, it’s very painful.
I bet he would have loved that chocolate cake.
Starbucks coffee would be perfect to get me through mid-term week
Yum…. chocolate and coffee in one cake? Heaven!
Wow, I’d surely love to win!
I love that cake – I’ve made it many times.
I’m a sucker for all things mocha. . .
so sorry about your friend……..
the cake looks fabulous
What a beautiful cake! I’m so sorry to hear about your friend…what a fun tribute to him! Love chocolate and coffee!
Your cake turned out perfectly. It is a great cake for your friend – and for you. I’m not good with words when it comes to things like this (Im more of a silent tissue holder here when you need a hug and a new cup of brew) – but you were in my thoughts.
What a wonderful tribute to your friend! Delicious looking cake too. Hugs to you!
Looks delicious. I love using coffee in my recipes.
Beautiful story, and I am sure he would love that gorgeous cake.
This not only looks beautiful, but how can you say no to coffee AND cake? Adding to recipe list!
YUM!! I love Starbucks, and I love cake!!
Also, October 9th is my birthday, so if I win, that would be a marvelous gift
So sorry for your loss, but what a lovely & generous way to honor your friend. I was looking for a recipe like this, I’ll this will inspire a lot of cakes in Victors honor/memory. I’m sure he’ll be pleased to know you’re still taking others (if only virtually) to Starbucks.
There has to be a Starbucks in Heaven I’m sure, I mean its heaven right? 
Enjoy your weekend!
So sorry for your loss. What a great way to honor your friend then to combine his favorite things! My husband would LOVE this cake!
Looks beyond amazing!!! Would love to try it!!! And wouldn’t mind winning some coffee either
That cake looks divine
Sorry about your friend Victor
I think it’s great the way you are honoring your friend, Victor <3
Mocha anything is always fantastic. I also LOVE that this cake is made with canola oil. This may just be my little girl’s birthday cake in December. Thank you for posting.
Looks absolutely delectable. Can’t wait to make this!
That cake looks super yummy!! Just found your site! I’m enjoying it!
That cake looks unbelievable!
What a beautiful gesture to honor your friend. Looks delicious!
Mmmm. Chocolate. Mmmm. Coffee. Wonderful tribute to your wonderful friend.
I keep licking my desktop screen with that gorgeous picture of your Black Magic Cake and I can almost taste it!!!
What a beautiful story…It hit home because I just found out a friend from high school passed away about a year ago (a lot of friends I still keep in touch with are just now finding this out). If I were to win the coffee, I might just have to make this cake!
You are a sweet, sweet friend to be doing this in Victor’s memory. I love coffee and chocolate. Hopefully I never have to decide which one I love the most.
Starbucks, Cake, and Chocolate. I really can’t think of anything that gets better than that! Amazing recipe, can’t wait to try it!
Mmm I love coffee in baked goods!
Wow what a sad story! I teared up. I cannot imagine losing a friend let alone someone I liked! At least there is the memory of him you can continue on. Great cake!
The cake looks delicious and I would love to win the coffee!
Wow – that cake looks and sounds delicious. I need a couple of desserts for a work function and I think this will be one. YUM
susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com
The cake looks delicious! My cousin gave me a black midnight cake recipe a few years ago, I wonder if it’s the same? Is dark like this one too! I love how the cake and frosting came out, I wish you could send me a piece.
Have a great week
this cake looks Amazing! and sorry to hear about your friend, I lost a great friend a year ago next monday and it still leaves me breathless to remember he’s gone.
You have beautiful photography. Looks delicious!
I know Victor was a dear friend to you. I’m so sorry he passed away. It’s so sweet that you bake something in honor of your friend. I like how he ordered his drink at Starbucks…made me smile:) and this cake makes me smile and looks delicious!!!!!
This cake looks delicious! I really want to try it
I am obsessed with Starbucks also their fall pumpkin spice lattes are my absolute favorite! I love your website..I made your twix cheesecakes and they were a HUGE hit! Amazing job 
What a great story about your friend and a great recipe as a tribute! I would love, love, LOVE to help you celebrate with a GC!
Love the Black Magic Cake- I bet that mocha buttercream is fabulous on it!
Wow, this cake looks incredible. You’re so good at getting the icing smooth too, I am terrible at it!
I just love the sounds (and looks) of this cake. I am adding this to my “must make” list!
Hi can I know how many grams would that be of -1 packet Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Coffee (House Blend)?
Thanks..would like to give this recipe a try..your cake look delish!!..
Thank you! There are 3.3 grams in each packet
This may even be my second time commenting, but I WILL make this in the coming year! YUM.
I am new to your blog and I love it, all the desserts look amazing.
After looking at your 2011 post I realized this was a cake I had to make! LOL Looks amazing. I am going to make it for someones birthday for Wed.
One stupid question, what brand of Unsweetened Cocoa powder do you use?
Thank you Jaime!
Not a stupid question at all. I use Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder.
I made the cake and it was a huge hit, thank you! I was worried because I don’t have the same Starbucks via packets so I used the starbucks via Columbian blend for the frosting… I figured since it was a medium blend hopefully it should work, and it did. I also didn’t have a coffee grinder to make coffee or brew coffee all I have is a keurig maker and I ended up buying the Starbucks keurig cups which they have a french roast and it worked out perfectly! My co-worker is already requesting those in cupcake form for her birthday, thank you!
Oh yeah! I’m so happy to hear it was a huge hit.
The black magic cake in cupcake form is my favorite!