Fresh Twist on Beatty’s Chocolate Cake Recipe: Ina Garten’s Magic

Beatty’s chocolate cake bursts with indulgent chocolate magic that transforms ordinary baking into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

This decadent dessert weaves rich cocoa and subtle ingredients into a symphonic flavor experience.

Professional and amateur bakers alike marvel at its sophisticated simplicity.

A splash of hot coffee amplifies the chocolate’s profound depth, creating nuanced layers of delectable complexity.

Each carefully measured ingredient contributes to a velvety texture that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

The cake’s luxurious profile balances intense chocolate notes with a delicate, comforting warmth.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to craft a dessert that will mesmerize every chocolate lover at your table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 561 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Beatty’s Chocolate Cake by Ina Garten

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour for richer flavor and better texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Opt for fine crystal sugar for smoother batter consistency.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Select high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa for deeper chocolate taste.
• Baking Soda: Ensure fresh container for maximum leavening power.
• Baking Powder: Check expiration date for guaranteed rise.
• Salt: Use fine sea salt for balanced flavor enhancement.

• Buttermilk, Vegetable Oil: Select full-fat buttermilk for tender crumb and neutral oil for light texture.
• Eggs: Use room temperature large eggs for better incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: Choose pure vanilla extract for authentic, rich flavor profile.

• Hot Brewed Coffee: Select medium roast coffee for subtle depth without overpowering chocolate notes.

Tools to Make Beatty’s Rich Chocolate Cake

• Electric Mixer: Essential for blending dry and wet ingredients smoothly and evenly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Two bowls needed for separating dry and wet ingredients.
• Sifter: Perfect for evenly distributing dry ingredients without lumps.
• Whisk: Great for mixing wet ingredients thoroughly.
• Cake Pans (8-inch, round): Two pans for creating layers of chocolate cake.
• Parchment Paper: Helps cakes release easily from pans.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Cake Tester or Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping batter and spreading evenly in pans.
• Oven: Preheated to 350°F for baking the chocolate cake.

Step-by-Step for Beatty’s Chocolate Cake

Whip Up a Decadent Chocolate Cake

• Prep Your Baking Space

Get your oven warmed up to 350°F. Grab two round cake pans and give them a quick butter massage. Line the bottoms with parchment paper, then dust with a light flour coating to keep things from sticking.

• Create the Dry Magic

Grab a big mixing bowl and sift together your dry ingredients. Swirl them gently until they’re perfectly blended and look like a silky chocolate powder. The key is to break up any pesky lumps that might crash your cake party.

• Blend the Wet Wonders

In a separate bowl, whisk your wet ingredients into a smooth symphony. Pour this liquid gold slowly into your dry mix, stirring gently. Mix until the batter looks like velvet – no tough spots allowed!

• Brew and Bake

Add a splash of hot coffee to give your batter an extra deep chocolate kick. Give it a gentle stir, then pour the batter evenly into your prepared pans. Pop them into the oven and let the magic happen for 35-40 minutes.

• Cool and Celebrate

Check your cake with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let the cakes rest in their pans for half an hour, then transfer to a cooling rack. Once completely cool, dress them up with some luscious chocolate frosting and get ready to wow everyone with your baking skills!

Variations for Ina Garten’s Beatty’s Cake

• Swap Coffee for Deeper Flavor: Replace hot brewed coffee with espresso or dark roast coffee to intensify the chocolate's richness and create a more complex taste profile.
• Customize Frosting Styles: Experiment with different frosting techniques like smooth spread, rustic swirls, or elegant piped designs to match your personal aesthetic and mood.
• Create Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring individuals with dietary restrictions can enjoy this delectable chocolate cake without compromising taste or texture.
• Make Mini Cake Versions: Transform the recipe into individual cupcakes or mini cake rounds by adjusting baking time to 18-22 minutes, perfect for portion control and elegant entertaining.

Best Ways to Serve This Chocolate Cake

• Elegant Chocolate Cake Display: Create a stunning presentation by placing the cake on a decorative cake stand with delicate edges. Dust the top with powdered sugar or cocoa powder for an artistic touch.
• Coffee-Infused Pairing: Serve slices alongside a warm cup of espresso or rich mocha to enhance the cake's deep chocolate and coffee flavors. The complementary tastes will elevate the dessert experience.
• Decadent Garnish Options: Top each slice with fresh raspberries, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of chocolate shavings. These additions will add color, texture, and an extra layer of indulgence to the chocolate cake.
• Celebration Ready Styling: Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or special gatherings. Cut into clean, precise slices and arrange on individual dessert plates for an impressive and inviting presentation.

Keep Beatty’s Cake Moist and Delicious

• Preserve Freshness: Store cooled chocolate cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping moisture and softness intact.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Cover cake loosely with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator for 5-7 days, ensuring it stays moist and delicious.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual cake layers tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze up to 2 months for convenient dessert preparation.
• Thaw with Care: Remove frozen cake from freezer, unwrap, and let sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours before serving, allowing gradual defrosting without compromising texture.

Luxurious Ina Garten Beattys Chocolate Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s Beatty’s chocolate cake delivers rich, moist chocolate layers with silky chocolate frosting. Chocolate enthusiasts will savor this classic dessert that combines deep cocoa flavors with creamy, indulgent frosting you cannot resist.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
• 1 ¾ cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (75 grams) cocoa powder
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, shaken
• 1 cup (240 ml) freshly brewed hot coffee
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 tsps baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 6 oz (170 grams) semisweet chocolate
• ½ lb (227 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1 ¼ cups (150 grams) sifted confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tbsp instant coffee powder
• Butter for greasing pans

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Meticulously prepare two 8-inch round cake pans by buttering, lining with parchment, re-buttering, and dusting with flour to guarantee effortless cake release.
2. Dry Ingredients: Combine cake flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Blend these components on low speed until perfectly homogeneous.
3. Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Batter Formation: Slowly integrate the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, mixing on low speed to preserve the cake’s delicate structure. Pour in the hot, freshly brewed coffee, stirring gently until the liquid melds seamlessly, creating a deep, luxurious chocolate batter.
5. Baking Process: Distribute the batter evenly between the prepared pans, ensuring smooth, level surfaces. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, verifying doneness with a cake tester that should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
6. Cooling and Finishing: Allow cakes to rest in pans for 30 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once at room temperature, apply chocolate frosting between layers and across the entire cake surface for a decadent, glossy presentation.

Notes

• Prepare Pans Perfectly: Use parchment paper, butter, and flour to guarantee effortless cake removal without sticking or breaking.
• Avoid Overmixing: Blend ingredients on low speed to maintain the cake’s tender, delicate crumb and prevent tough, dense texture.
• Coffee Enhances Chocolate: Hot coffee deepens the chocolate flavor, creating a rich, complex taste that elevates the entire dessert.
• Temperature Matters: Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, professional-looking finish.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 561
• Sugar: 60 g
• Sodium: 358 mg
• Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 69 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 81 mg