Coffee Toffee Mocha Crunch Cake

Note: Chill a medium sized mixing bowl before starting. You’ll need it for the cream filling step.

For the mocha ganache:
In a small saucepan, gently heat the cream until small bubbles appear around the edges of the pan. Remove from heat and stir in espresso powder and chocolate chips. Set pan aside. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy. Pour mixture into a glass measure with a pour spout. Set aside uncovered at room temperature to cool and thicken slightly.

For the espresso cream filling:
Place cream, sugar, espresso powder, and vanilla extract into the chilled bowl and beat until stiff peaks form. Cover bowl with plastic and refrigerate until needed.

For the cake assembly:
Trim 1/4-inch from each end of the thawed cake. Cut the remaining cake vertically into 6 equal slices that are about 1 1/2-inches wide. Then cut each slice horizontally into 3 layers. Place the bottom layer of each portion onto a freezer-safe platter or individual dessert plates. Pipe a decorative layer of espresso cream filling over the bottom layer using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Then sprinkle 1 teaspoon of toffee bits on each. Gently place the middle layer on top of the toffee bits, being careful not to squash the decorative piping. Place in freezer for 20 minutes to set.

Remove platter/plates from freezer and pipe another decorative layer of mocha cream filling onto each portion, sprinkle each with another teaspoon of toffee bits, and gently place the top layer of pound cake on top of the toffee bits, again, being careful not to squash the decorative piping. Return platter/plates to freezer for another 20 minutes. Remove from freezer and drizzle mocha ganache over each portion and garnish with extra toffee bits. Serve immediately.

*You can purchase chocolate covered English toffee bits already crushed in the baking aisle of your grocery store. Or you can purchase chocolate covered English toffee bars and crush them yourself.