Adult Coffee Birthday Cake for 12

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until aerated.
3. Cream the softened butter and sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Alternately add the flour mixture and the sour cream to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour.
6. Fold in the cooled espresso slowly until the batter is a uniform mahogany color.
7. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and bake for 30–35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Beat the buttercream butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar on low speed.
10. Pour in the concentrated espresso and liqueur, then whip on high for 2 minutes until stiff peaks form.
11. Level the cooled cakes with a serrated knife, layer them with buttercream, and frost the exterior.
12. Garnish with roasted coffee beans and a dusting of cocoa powder.