Luxurious Bittersweet Chocolate Cake Recipe: Barefoot Contessa’s Style

Decadent chocolate lovers rejoice over this bittersweet chocolate cake recipe that promises pure indulgence.

Dark, rich chocolate swirls through every delectable layer, creating a dessert that melts hearts instantly.

Ina Garten’s elegance shines through in this remarkably simple yet sophisticated treat.

Each slice promises deep, complex chocolate flavors that dance across your palate with luxurious intensity.

The cake velvety texture and intense chocolate profile make it a showstopper at any gathering.

chocolate enthusiasts will fall head over heels for this stunning dessert that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and intense.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to experience chocolate bliss like never before.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 8

Bittersweet Chocolate Cake: Your Ingredient List

• Bittersweet Chocolate: Rich flavor foundation that creates deep, sophisticated chocolate taste with subtle bitterness and intensity.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides smooth, creamy texture and enhances chocolate's richness while controlling salt content.

• Caster Sugar: Dissolves quickly to create silky smooth texture and balanced sweetness.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together, add structure, and create luxurious, tender cake consistency.
• Instant Coffee: Amplifies chocolate's depth, adding mysterious background complexity without coffee flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cake's fundamental structure and provides tender, delicate crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness, enhances overall flavor profile, and elevates chocolate's natural taste.

Equipment to Bake Bittersweet Chocolate Cake

• Springform Tin: Essential 20cm (8-inch) round cake pan with removable sides for easy cake release.
• Heatproof Bowl: Large bowl to melt chocolate and butter over simmering water.
• Saucepan: Medium-sized pan for creating water bath for chocolate melting.
• Rubber Spatula: Flexible tool for gently folding flour into chocolate mixture.
• Whisk: Key tool for combining sugar, eggs, and creating smooth batter.
• Baking Tray: Provides stable base for cake tin during baking.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
• Knife: Used to run around cake edges when removing from tin.
• Skewer or Toothpick: Helps check cake's baking progress.

Baking Instructions for Bittersweet Chocolate Cake

• Chocolate Preparation

Gather all ingredients for a delightful chocolate cake experience. Choose high-quality bittersweet chocolate for rich, deep flavor.

• Kitchen Setup

Select a springform pan and prepare your baking workspace. Create a comfortable environment with all tools within reach.

• Melting Magic

Create a gentle chocolate bath using a double boiler technique. Slowly melt chocolate and butter together, stirring carefully to achieve a silky smooth texture.

• Mixing Moments

Combine sugar with the melted chocolate mixture. Gradually incorporate eggs, adding a touch of instant coffee for enhanced depth. Blend until the batter becomes wonderfully smooth.

• Flour Finesse

Gently fold flour into the chocolatey mixture. Use a light hand to maintain the cake’s delicate texture, ensuring no lumps remain.

• Baking Brilliance

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the top develops subtle cracks and the center feels set. The cake will have a gorgeous, slightly puffy appearance.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow the cake to rest and settle after baking. Serve at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert experience.

Bittersweet Chocolate Cake – Helpful Tips & Edits

• Melt chocolate and butter using a double boiler method to prevent burning, ensuring a silky smooth texture that guarantees baking success.
• Experiment with different instant coffee brands or swap for espresso powder to enhance the chocolate's deep, rich flavor profile without overpowering the dessert.
• Avoid overmixing the batter when folding in flour to maintain the cake's delicate, fudgy consistency that melts in your mouth with each bite.
• Elevate the dessert by pairing with raspberry coulis, caramel drizzle, or a sprinkle of sea salt to create unexpected and delightful flavor combinations that will impress guests.
• Prepare the cake a day in advance and store at room temperature, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, to develop deeper chocolate notes and ensure maximum moistness.

Fun Ways to Serve Bittersweet Chocolate Cake

• Serve with Creamy Companions: Top each slice with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a luxurious contrast to the rich chocolate cake.
• Dress Up with Fruit Accents: Garnish with fresh raspberries or strawberry slices to add a bright, tangy complement to the deep chocolate flavor and create a beautiful presentation.
• Create a Decadent Dessert Plate: Dust the cake with powdered sugar, drizzle with warm chocolate sauce, and add a small mint leaf for an elegant and indulgent finishing touch that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Pair with Beverage Delights: Serve alongside a steaming cup of espresso or a glass of dessert wine like port to enhance the cake's intense chocolate notes and provide a sophisticated dining moment.

Prep, Store & Enjoy Bittersweet Chocolate Cake Later

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover cake slices to an airtight container, ensuring a tight seal to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Refrigerate Right: Keep the cake refrigerated for up to 4 days, allowing the rich chocolate flavors to intensify and develop deeper complexity.
• Freeze for Future: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for up to 3 months for a delightful chocolate treat anytime.
• Revive with Care: Thaw frozen cake slices at room temperature for about 1-2 hours, or gently warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore its soft, decadent texture.

Heavenly Barefoot Contessa Bittersweet Chocolate Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate cake from Barefoot Contessa delivers intense cocoa depth with silky ganache. Dark chocolate lovers will savor each luxurious, deeply satisfying slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 210 g (7.4 oz) unsalted butter
• 200 g (7.1 oz) bittersweet chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
• 4 large eggs
• 200 g (7.1 oz) caster sugar
• 35 g (1.2 oz) plain flour
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp instant coffee granules (Nescafé)
• Sweetened whipped cream
• Vanilla ice cream
• Crème fraîche

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Instructions

1. Equipment Preparation: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F), positioning rack centrally. Generously butter and flour a 20-centimeter springform pan, eliminating excess flour.
2. Chocolate Melting: Construct a double boiler using a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Melt chocolate and butter together, stirring until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency. Allow mixture to cool briefly.
3. Batter Formation: Whisk sugar into the chocolate base, integrating thoroughly. Gradually fold in eggs, maintaining smooth texture. Incorporate coffee granules and salt, creating a silky, homogeneous mixture.
4. Flour Integration: Delicately sift flour over chocolate mixture, folding gently with a rubber spatula. Blend until flour is just combined, avoiding overmixing to preserve cake’s light texture.
5. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, evening the surface. Position pan on a rimmed baking sheet for stability. Bake 35-45 minutes until top appears puffy with slight cracking and center remains slightly soft. The cake will naturally settle and deflate during cooling.
6. Serving Presentation: After cooling 15-20 minutes, carefully loosen cake edges with a thin knife. Release springform sides and transfer to serving plate. Accompany with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or crème fraîche for an elegant dessert experience.

Notes

• Chocolate Selection Matters: Use high-quality bittersweet chocolate between 60-70% cocoa for rich, deep flavor complexity.
• Prevent Egg Scrambling: Temper eggs by adding them slowly and whisking continuously to maintain smooth chocolate mixture.
• Master the Mixing Technique: Fold flour gently with a rubber spatula, stopping just when ingredients combine to preserve light, tender cake texture.
• Baking Time Precision: Check cake at 35 minutes – slight center wobble indicates perfect doneness, preventing dry or overcooked results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg