Indulge in Ina Garten’s Bittersweet Chocolate Cake Recipe Today

Chocolate lovers rejoice as this Ina Garten bittersweet chocolate cake recipe promises pure decadence in every slice.

Rich, velvety layers melt on your tongue with intense cocoa depth.

Baking enthusiasts will adore how simple yet sophisticated this dessert becomes with carefully selected ingredients.

The balance of bittersweet chocolate creates a luxurious profile that feels both elegant and comforting.

Smooth ganache drapes over tender cake crumbs, making each bite a miniature celebration of flavor.

Professional techniques merged with home-kitchen accessibility define this stunning dessert.

Grab your whisk and dive into a chocolate experience that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Ina Garten’s Method for Bittersweet Chocolate Perfection

Chocolate Decadence

• Prep Setup

Grab an 8-inch springform pan and coat it with butter and flour. Position your oven rack in the center and warm the space to a cozy 350°F.

• Chocolate Melting Magic

Create a makeshift double boiler using a large bowl perched over simmering water. Slowly melt chocolate and butter together, stirring occasionally until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat once everything transforms into a luxurious liquid.

• Flavor Fusion

Whisk sugar into the chocolate mixture, then incorporate eggs, coffee essence, and a pinch of salt. Blend until the batter becomes silky and uniform, with no streaks or lumps.

• Flour Dance

Gently fold flour into the chocolatey base using smooth, careful strokes. Mix just until the flour disappears, avoiding overmixing which can make the cake tough.

• Baking Transformation

Transfer batter to the prepared pan and slide onto a baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top puffs up and develops delicate cracks. The cake should slightly jiggle when nudged.

• Elegant Finale

Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack. As it rests, the cake will gracefully settle. Carefully release the springform sides and slice into tempting wedges. Serve alongside whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for pure indulgence.

Flavor Add-Ons for Ina Garten’s Rich Chocolate Dessert

• Melt chocolate and butter using a double boiler technique for smooth, even consistency without burning.
• Whisk ingredients thoroughly to create a silky batter that ensures a rich, decadent cake texture.
• Add instant coffee to intensify the deep chocolate flavor, creating a more complex and sophisticated dessert profile.
• Use a springform pan for easy cake removal and perfect presentation, allowing the delicate cake to maintain its elegant shape.
• Experiment with garnishes like fresh berries, dusted cocoa powder, or a drizzle of salted caramel to elevate the classic chocolate cake experience.

Plating Ina Garten’s Bittersweet Cake for Any Occasion

• Pair with Creamy Companions: Top the rich chocolate cake with a dollop of softly whipped cream, creating a luxurious contrast between the warm, dense cake and the light, airy topping.
• Enhance with Cold Contrast: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, letting the cold, smooth sweetness complement the intense chocolate flavors and provide a delightful temperature difference.
• Elevate with Elegant Garnish: Dust the cake with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or cocoa powder, adding a sophisticated touch and creating a beautiful visual presentation that hints at the decadent dessert within.
• Create Fruit Fusion: Add a handful of fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries on the side, introducing a bright, tangy element that cuts through the cake's deep chocolate richness.

How to Store & Enjoy Ina Garten’s Chocolate Cake Later

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the chocolate cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and absorbing other flavors.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Room Temperature Magic: Keep the cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon. Cover with a cake dome or loose plastic wrap to maintain moisture and freshness.
• Serve with Style: Enhance the cake's flavor by allowing it to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. This helps restore its rich, velvety texture and intensifies the chocolate taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 8

All the Ingredients in Ina Garten’s Bittersweet Chocolate Cake

• Bittersweet Chocolate: Rich, deep flavor that creates intense chocolate essence, choose high-quality chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content for maximum depth.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides smooth, creamy texture and helps chocolate melt evenly, select fresh butter with no rancid smell.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender cake structure, use fine-grain sugar for smooth incorporation.
• Large Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds richness, ensure eggs are room temperature for better mixing.
• Instant Coffee Powder: Intensifies chocolate flavor without adding liquid, select finely ground instant coffee.
• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor, use fine-grain salt for even distribution.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides cake's fundamental structure, sift to prevent lumps and ensure smooth batter.

Bakeware Needed for Ina Garten’s Deep Chocolate Cake

• Springform Pan: Essential 8-inch round pan with removable sides for easy cake release.
• Large Heatproof Bowl: Perfect for melting chocolate and butter over simmering water.
• Whisk: Crucial for smoothly combining chocolate, sugar, eggs, and other ingredients.
• Rubber Spatula: Ideal for gently folding flour into the chocolate mixture without deflating batter.
• Baking Sheet: Helps support the springform pan and catch any potential drips.
• Wire Rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottom.
• Small Knife: Helps loosen cake edges before removing pan sides.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Decadent Ina Garten Bittersweet Chocolate Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate cake tempts dessert enthusiasts with Ina Garten’s masterful bittersweet chocolate confection. Luxurious layers promise intense flavor and smooth texture that entice sweet craving palates.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 15 tbsps (225 grams) unsalted butter, plus extra to grease the pan
• 7 oz (198 grams) bittersweet chocolate, such as Lindt, broken
• 4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
• ¼ cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour, plus extra for the pan
• 1 tsp (5 grams) instant coffee granules, such as Nescafé
• ½ tsp (3 grams) kosher salt
• Sweetened whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or crème fraîche, for serving

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 180°C (350°F). Meticulously coat an 8-inch springform pan with butter and a light flour dusting to prevent adherence.
2. Chocolate Melting: Construct a double boiler using a heatproof bowl atop gently simmering water. Melt chocolate and butter together, stirring until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Batter Construction: Whisk granulated sugar into the molten chocolate mixture. Integrate eggs, instant coffee granules, and salt, blending until the batter transforms into a glossy, homogeneous substance.
4. Flour Incorporation: Delicately fold all-purpose flour into the liquid base, ensuring complete integration without creating dry pockets or overworking the batter.
5. Pan Staging: Decant the batter into the prepared springform pan, leveling the surface with precision. Position the pan on a larger baking sheet to facilitate heat circulation and handling.
6. Baking Process: Roast in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. Monitor for characteristic surface puffing, subtle cracking, and a slight center jiggle when gently nudged.
7. Cooling Technique: Extract from the oven and allow complete cooling on a wire rack. The cake will naturally deflate and stabilize. Carefully liberate from pan sides using a slim knife.
8. Serving Suggestion: Transfer to a decorative plate, slice into elegant wedges. Enhance with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of crème fraîche for luxurious enjoyment.

Notes

• Chocolate Selection Matters: Use high-quality bittersweet chocolate with 60-70% cocoa content for deep, rich flavor and perfect texture.
• Melting Technique Crucial: Melt chocolate and butter gently over low heat to prevent burning, stirring consistently for smooth incorporation.
• Coffee Enhancer: Instant coffee granules intensify chocolate’s depth without creating a coffee-flavored cake, adding complex undertones.
• Baking Precision Needed: Watch cake closely during last 10 minutes of baking; slight surface cracks and jiggly center indicate perfect doneness, preventing over-baking and dryness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg