Charming Chocolate Cake Recipe: Ina Garten’s Sweet Masterpiece

Decadent chocolate lovers unite over this irresistible Ina Garten’s chocolate cake recipe that promises pure indulgence with every delectable slice.

Rich, moist, and impossibly smooth, this cake delivers a chocolate experience that melts hearts and satisfies the deepest dessert desires.

Professional baker Ina garten crafted a masterpiece that elevates home baking to an art form.

Her signature technique ensures a tender crumb that practically whispers elegance.

Each bite brings layers of intense chocolate flavor that dance across your palate.

The luxurious texture and deep cocoa notes make this cake a showstopper for any gathering.

You’ll fall in love with this dessert that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

How to Keep Chocolate Cake Fresh & Fudgy

• Store Strategically: Wrap cooled cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 2 days before assembling. This technique keeps the cake moist and fresh.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Once frosted, store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Allow cake to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Individually wrap unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before frosting and serving.
• Handle Frosting Carefully: Keep chocolate frosting in a sealed container in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before using, let frosting soften at room temperature and re-whip briefly to restore creamy consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 482 kcal

Servings: 9

What Goes into Ina Garten’s Chocolate Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the foundational structure for a tender, light cake texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich, deep chocolate flavor and contributes to the cake's dark color.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a soft, moist crumb.
• Baking Soda: Ensures the cake rises and achieves a light, airy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor profile of the cake.

• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and adds richness and structure.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake incredibly moist and tender.
• Buttermilk: Provides tanginess and helps activate the baking soda for better rise.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the chocolate flavor.
• Hot Coffee: Intensifies the chocolate taste and creates a more complex, robust cake texture.

• Chocolate: Creates a luxurious, smooth base with intense chocolate flavor.
• Butter: Provides creamy texture and rich taste to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the frosting.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and creates a silky, soft frosting texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor complexity.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and heightens other flavors.

Tools to Bake Chocolate Cake the Ina Way

• Stand Mixer: Essential for beating butter and creating smooth, creamy frosting.
• Paddle Attachment: Connects to the stand mixer for even mixing of ingredients.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Two needed for separating dry and wet cake ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Double Boiler or Microwave: Used for melting chocolate gently.
• 8-inch Round Cake Pans: Specific size for baking the chocolate cake layers.
• Parchment Paper: Helps cake layers release easily from pans.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing for moist crumbs.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping bowls and spreading frosting.

Step-by-Step for Ina Garten’s Chocolate Cake

• Cake Preparation Workspace

Set up your kitchen with all necessary baking tools, ensuring a clean and organized countertop for smooth cake creation.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Combine flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl, whisking gently to create a uniform dry mixture.

• Liquid Harmony

In a separate container, mix eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract, blending until the liquid ingredients are perfectly integrated.

• Batter Symphony

Pour the liquid mixture into dry ingredients, stirring carefully to avoid lumps. Slowly introduce hot coffee, creating a silky, thin batter that promises rich chocolate flavor.

• Pan and Bake

Grease cake pans and pour batter evenly, then slide into a preheated oven. Bake until a gentle press returns to its original shape and a toothpick emerges clean.

• Cooling Interlude

Allow cakes to rest in pans briefly, then transfer to a cooling rack, letting them reach room temperature before frosting.

• Chocolate Frosting Magic

Melt chocolate smoothly, then combine with butter, powdered sugar, and sour cream. Whip until the frosting becomes glossy and spreadable.

• Cake Assembly

Carefully spread frosting between cake layers and over the entire surface, creating a decadent chocolate masterpiece ready to delight.

Tips to Get That Rich Chocolate Flavor

• Expert Tips & Twists
• Swap hot coffee with hot water or espresso for a milder chocolate flavor that keeps the cake incredibly moist and tender.
• Always use room temperature ingredients like eggs and butter to ensure smooth mixing and even cake texture that bakes perfectly.
• Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate in the frosting to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.
• Wrap cooled cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze up to one week in advance, allowing you to prep ahead and reduce day-of baking stress.
• Sprinkle crushed chocolate cookies, toasted nuts, or edible gold flakes on top of the frosted cake for a stunning presentation that impresses guests instantly.

Serving Up Ina Garten Cake Like a Pro

• Slice and Serve Decadently: Cut thick, generous slices of this rich chocolate cake to showcase its moist, tender crumb and luxurious chocolate frosting.
• Pair with Creamy Companions: Complement the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to balance its intense chocolate flavor.
• Create Elegant Presentation: Place each slice on a beautiful dessert plate, dust with a light sprinkle of cocoa powder, and add a fresh raspberry or mint leaf for a touch of color and sophistication.
• Enjoy with Perfect Beverages: Serve alongside a steaming cup of coffee, a smooth espresso, or a glass of cold milk to enhance the cake's deep chocolate notes.

Heavenly Chocolate Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Chocolate lovers find pure bliss in Ina Garten’s chocolate cake, a rich dessert that embodies indulgence. Moist layers paired with silky frosting create a memorable experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 6 oz (170 g) semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup hot coffee
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsps baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 pinch salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Warm oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two 8-inch round cake pans with butter and parchment paper.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
3. Wet Ingredient Harmonization: Blend eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla in a separate bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
4. Batter Integration: Gently fold wet ingredients into dry mixture, maintaining a light, airy texture while avoiding overmixing.
5. Coffee Infusion: Stream hot coffee into batter, stirring until completely incorporated and achieving a silky, consistent mixture.
6. Pan Distribution: Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans, ensuring balanced volume for uniform baking.
7. Baking Process: Bake for 35 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean from the cake’s center.
8. Cooling Stage: Allow cakes to cool partially in pans, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling; can be prepared a day ahead if refrigerated.
9. Chocolate Preparation: Melt chocolate using double boiler or microwave, stirring until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency.
10. Frosting Creation: Cream butter in stand mixer, gradually adding powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract; fold sour cream into slightly cooled melted chocolate.
11. Frosting Finalization: Combine chocolate-sour cream mixture with butter base on low speed, creating a velvety, uniform frosting.
12. Frosting Optimization: If frosting seems soft, refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to enhance stability, then stir before applying to completely cooled cake layers.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold ingredients to maintain a light, tender cake texture, avoiding tough, dense results.
• Coffee Temperature Matters: Use hot coffee to enhance chocolate’s depth and create a silky, smooth batter consistency.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs, buttermilk, and butter are at room temperature for better integration and smoother mixing.
• Frosting Consistency Check: If frosting seems too soft, briefly chill for 10-15 minutes to achieve the perfect spreadable texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 482
• Sugar: 58 g
• Sodium: 259 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg