Easy Ina Garten Beatty’s Chocolate Cake Recipe for Sweet Joy

Beatty’s chocolate cake represents the pinnacle of decadent dessert crafting, where simple ingredients transform into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Rich cocoa powder creates a deep, luxurious foundation that promises intense chocolate flavor in every bite.

Professional bakers and home cooks appreciate the sophisticated techniques that elevate this classic dessert beyond ordinary expectations.

Small nuances like hot coffee make remarkable differences, intensifying chocolate complex characteristics without overwhelming the palate.

Precise measurements ensure consistent results that will impress even discerning sweet enthusiasts.

Smooth, velvety textures and deep chocolate notes characterize this remarkable confection that feels both comforting and elegant.

Prepare to indulge in a slice of pure chocolate bliss:

Why Ina Garten Beatty’s Chocolate Cake Is Legendary

• Craft Effortless Chocolate Decadence: This cake brings gourmet bakery-style dessert right into your kitchen with surprisingly simple steps, requiring minimal technical baking skills and delivering maximum chocolate satisfaction.
• Unlock Rich Flavor Complexity: The ingenious addition of hot coffee intensifies the chocolate’s depth, creating a moisture-rich cake that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience with incredible taste dynamics.
• Manage Stress-Free Baking: The recipe follows clear, straightforward instructions that eliminate complicated techniques, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers who want reliable results without overwhelming preparation methods.
• Celebrate Versatile Indulgence: Whether serving at birthday parties, family gatherings, or quiet weekend treats, this chocolate cake adapts beautifully to multiple occasions while guaranteeing consistent deliciousness that will impress everyone at the table.

Needed Ingredients for Ina Garten Beatty’s Cake

• Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives rich chocolate flavor and dark color.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents for cake rise.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Buttermilk: Creates moisture and tender crumb, adds slight tanginess.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake stays moist and soft.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and enhances chocolate flavor.

• Hot Coffee: Intensifies chocolate flavor and creates deeper color.

Directions for Ina Garten Beatty’s Chocolate Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Cake Pans

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease 2 round 8-inch cake pans with butter. Cut parchment paper to fit the bottom of each pan, place inside, then butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt

Blend these ingredients on low speed until well combined.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

• Buttermilk
• Vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• Vanilla extract

Gradually pour this mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until smooth.

Step 4: Add Coffee and Prepare Batter

Pour of hot brewed coffee into the cake batter. Stir gently until just incorporated. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.

Step 5: Bake and Cool the Cake

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a cake tester or toothpick – it should come out clean. Let cakes cool in pans for 30 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, frost with chocolate frosting.

Pointers for a Showstopping Beatty’s Cake

• Customize Coffee Boost: Add a splash of dark rum or espresso to deepen the cake’s chocolate intensity and create unexpected flavor complexity.
• Master Cooling Technique: Let cakes rest completely at room temperature to prevent frosting from melting and ensure a smooth, professional finish.
• Verify Baking Perfection: Insert a clean toothpick or cake tester into the center to confirm thorough baking without overdrying the delicate crumb.
• Handle Batter Gently: Mix ingredients minimally to maintain tender texture, stopping just as components blend smoothly.
• Prepare Pans Strategically: Grease thoroughly, line with parchment paper, and dust with flour to guarantee effortless cake release and beautiful presentation.

Storing Ina Garten Beatty’s Cake

• Refrigerator Method: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to prevent moisture loss and absorb other food odors. Seal each layer separately for maximum freshness, keeping the cake moist and delicious for up to 7 days.
• Freezer Method: Slice the cake into individual portions before freezing to make thawing easier and prevent waste. Wrap each slice securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen cake remains perfect for 3 months, allowing you to enjoy a delectable treat anytime.
• Counter Storage Method: Place the cake under a cake dome or cover with a loose piece of aluminum foil at room temperature. This method works best for cakes without cream or custard fillings.

Spin-Offs on Beatty’s Chocolate Cake

• Mocha Madness: Replace hot coffee with strong espresso and add a tablespoon of instant coffee granules to intensify the chocolate flavor, creating a rich mocha-inspired cake that coffee lovers will adore.
• Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Fold in chopped toasted almonds or hazelnuts into the batter and sprinkle some on top of the frosting for added texture and a delightful nutty dimension to the classic chocolate cake.
• Raspberry Chocolate Dream: Layer the cake with seedless raspberry jam between the cake layers and garnish with fresh raspberries, adding a tangy fruit contrast to the deep chocolate flavor that elevates the dessert’s complexity.
• Salted Caramel Chocolate: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the frosted cake and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top, creating a sophisticated sweet-and-salty combination that brings out the chocolate’s richness.

Reflection on Ina Garten Beatty’s Chocolate Cake

Chocolate cake masterpieces like Ina Garten’s Beattys Chocolate Cake transport taste buds to rich culinary landscapes.

Silky layers whisper decadent chocolate narratives with each delectable slice.

Carefully crafted ingredients dance together, creating symphonic flavor profiles that delight sophisticated palates.

Baking enthusiasts discover pure chocolate magic through precise measurements and thoughtful techniques.

Complex yet approachable, this recipe bridges home kitchens with gourmet sensibilities.

Passionate bakers who share this recipe spark joy, connection, and delicious conversation – so snap that perfect photo, tag fellow chocolate lovers, and spread sweet inspiration across social platforms.

Bon appétit!

Ina Garten Beattys Chocolate Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Beatty’s Chocolate Cake delivers rich, velvety chocolate indulgence straight from her Barefoot Contessa kitchen. Moist layers of deep cocoa goodness combine with silky frosting, promising a luxurious dessert experience you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
• ¾ cup (75 grams) good cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk, shaken
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) freshly brewed hot coffee

Frosting and Preparation Ingredients:

• 6 ounces (170 grams) good semisweet chocolate
• ½ pound (227 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups (150 grams) sifted confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
• Butter for greasing the pans

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly prepare cake pans by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously coat two 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans with butter, carefully line with parchment paper, then re-butter and dust with flour to ensure easy cake removal.
2. Create the dry foundation by sifting together cake flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to blend these ingredients on low speed until uniformly combined.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together buttermilk, vegetable oil, large eggs, and pure vanilla extract until smooth and well-incorporated.
4. Gradually incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, mixing on low speed to prevent overmixing and maintain the cake’s delicate texture.
5. Carefully pour the hot, freshly brewed coffee into the batter, gently stirring just until the liquid is fully integrated and creates a rich, dark chocolate mixture.
6. Evenly distribute the batter between the prepared cake pans, ensuring smooth surfaces and equal volume for consistent baking.
7. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, checking for doneness by inserting a cake tester or thin knife into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
8. Allow the cakes to cool within the pans for 30 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature.
9. Once completely cooled, apply chocolate frosting between layers and over the entire cake surface for a decadent finish.

Notes

• Savor the cake within three days by storing it covered at room temperature, preserving its incredible moisture and rich chocolate essence.
• Cool the cake completely before adding frosting to prevent melting and ensure a flawless, professional-looking finish.
• Perfect for birthdays or spontaneous chocolate cravings, this cake elevates any celebration with its decadent, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain the cake’s delicate, light structure and tender crumb.
• Parchment paper ensures effortless cake removal and eliminates frustrating sticking during baking and serving.
• Sift dry ingredients meticulously to create a smooth, lump-free batter that distributes cocoa and flour evenly.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 570 kcal
• Sugar: 49 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg