Kahlua Cake with Mocha Buttercream

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup

water

1/2 cup

granulated sugar

1 tbsp

espresso powder

1/4 cup

Kahlua coffee liqueur

2 1/4 cups

all-purpose flour

2 tsp

baking powder

3/4 tsp

salt

3/4 cup

unsalted butter (room temperature)

1 1/2 cups

granulated sugar

large eggs (room temperature)

1 tbsp

Kahlua coffee liqueur

1 cup

buttermilk (room temperature)

large egg whites

1 1/2 cups

granulated sugar

2 cups

unsalted butter (room temperature)

3 tbsp

Kahlua coffee liqueur

1 1/2 tbsp

espresso powder (not granules)

5 oz

good quality dark chocolate (chopped, melted, cooled)