Mocha Cake ***

Coffee syrup (make 1 day ahead; see Chef’s Notes)

• ⅓ cup (2½ oz./75 g) sugar

1. To prepare the coffee syrup, combine the sugar and water in a saucepan over low heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and bring to a boil, or, if using ground coffee, heat the water to 194°F (90°C).
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the coffee. If using ground coffee, cover and let infuse for 5 minutes, then strain through the fine-mesh siev