Dreamy Barefoot Contessa’s Chocolate Espresso Cake Recipe for Lovers

Decadent chocolate meets bold espresso in a rich, velvety cake that promises pure indulgence.

The Barefoot Contessa chocolate espresso cake recipe blends deep cocoa notes with a subtle coffee kick that awakens every taste bud.

Silky smooth and intensely flavorful, this dessert transforms an ordinary afternoon into a gourmet experience.

Professional home bakers and chocolate lovers will adore the complex layers of intense chocolate and robust espresso.

Each slice delivers a luxurious, moist texture that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Dark chocolate enthusiasts will fall head over heels for this irresistible treat.

Get ready to serve a show-stopping dessert that will leave everyone craving another bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 12

Chocolate Espresso Cake Ingredient Line-Up

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb, choose unbleached for best texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate depth, opt for high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa for intense flavor.
• Bicarbonate of Soda: Helps cake rise and creates soft, airy texture, ensure it's fresh and not expired.

• Butter: Adds luxurious richness, use unsalted for precise flavor control.
• Caster Sugar, Light Brown Sugar: Bring sweetness and caramel undertones, select fine-granulated sugars for smooth mixing.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and create structure, use room temperature for better incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, choose pure extract over artificial.
• Brewed Espresso or Coffee: Intensifies chocolate notes, use freshly brewed for maximum flavor impact.

• Butter: Creates creamy, smooth base for buttercream, ensure it's softened but not melted.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds deep chocolate character to frosting, sift to prevent lumps.
• Icing Sugar: Provides sweetness and stability, sift to ensure silky texture.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency, use whole milk for richer mouthfeel.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out frosting flavor, adds aromatic depth.

• Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans: Creates elegant, crunchy decoration.
• Chocolate Chunks: Adds extra chocolate intensity and textural contrast.

What You’ll Need for Chocolate Espresso Cake

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing cake batter.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Crucial for beating ingredients to light and fluffy consistency.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients smoothly.
• 20cm (8-inch) cake tins: Necessary for baking the cake layers.
• Spatula: Helps spread frosting evenly and smooth cake surface.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cakes to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Skewer or toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.
• Serving plate or turntable: Ideal for assembling and decorating the cake.

Step-by-Step Guide to Chocolate Espresso Cake

• Baking Preparation

Gather all essential tools and ingredients. Set oven temperature to warm and cozy. Prepare cake pans with gentle butter coating and light flour dusting.

• Chocolate Magic

Mix dry ingredients in a spacious bowl. Combine flour, rich cocoa, and soft rising agent. Create a smooth, silky powder blend that promises delicious results.

• Butter Transformation

Cream butter with sugars using electric mixer. Whip until mixture looks light and fluffy like soft clouds. Incorporate eggs slowly, allowing each to blend smoothly.

• Liquid Inspiration

Add brewed espresso to cake mixture. Stir gently until batter becomes silky and uniform. The liquid will create deep, intense flavor notes.

• Cake Creation

Pour batter into prepared pans. Smooth surface with gentle movements. Bake until cake springs back when touched and edges pull slightly away from pan sides.

• Frosting Fantasy

Whip butter and cocoa into creamy dream. Gradually add powdered sugar and milk. Beat until frosting becomes light and pillowy, with rich chocolate essence.

• Final Assembly

Place first cake layer on elegant serving plate. Spread thick frosting between layers. Cover entire cake with remaining creamy chocolate coating. Decorate with chocolate espresso beans for dramatic finish.

Ideas & Tips to Elevate Chocolate Espresso Cake

• Enhance the coffee flavor by using freshly brewed, high-quality espresso at room temperature for maximum depth and richness.
• Prepare the cake layers a day in advance and wrap tightly in plastic wrap to seal in moisture, allowing flavors to develop and making assembly easier.
• Experiment with different milk types like almond or oat milk for subtle flavor variations, or add a splash of Kahlúa for an adult twist.
• Swap regular cocoa powder with dark cocoa powder for a more intense chocolate experience, or mix both for complex layered flavor profiles.
• Create stunning visual effects by using a cake comb, chocolate shavings, or dusting cocoa powder on top for professional-looking presentation that impresses guests.

Fun Ways to Plate Chocolate Espresso Cake

• Elevate Coffee Moments: Serve slices alongside a steaming cappuccino or rich espresso to enhance the cake's deep chocolate and coffee notes.
• Dessert Party Centerpiece: Present the cake on an elegant cake stand, creating a stunning visual centerpiece that invites guests to indulge in its luxurious layers.
• Perfect Pairing Platter: Accompany each slice with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the intense chocolate and espresso flavors.
• Weekend Brunch Star: Slice the cake into smaller portions for a decadent addition to a weekend brunch spread, offering a delightful sweet finale to a leisurely meal.

Planning Ahead for Chocolate Espresso Cake Success

• Store Fresh and Tasty
• Refrigerate the cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping its rich flavor and moist texture intact.
• Wrap Wisely
• Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or store in a cake carrier to prevent drying out and maintain its delicious espresso-chocolate goodness.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment
• Slice the cake into portions, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake stays delectable for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
• Serve at Perfect Temperature
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before serving, allowing it to reach room temperature. This step ensures the buttercream softens and the cake's flavors become more vibrant and intense.

Rich Chocolate Espresso Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chocolate espresso cake delivers rich, luxurious flavors that dance between deep cocoa and intense coffee notes. Chocolate enthusiasts and dessert lovers will savor each moist, sophisticated slice of this irresistible treat.

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Ingredients

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• 3 large eggs
• 225 grams (1 cup) unsalted butter
• 170 grams (¾ cup) unsalted butter
• 240 milliliters (1 cup) freshly brewed espresso or strong coffee
• 200 grams (1 cup) caster sugar
• 100 grams (½ cup) light brown sugar
• 250 grams (2 cups) plain flour
• 50 grams (½ cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 100 grams (1 cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 120 milliliters (½ cup) whole milk
• 560 grams (4 ½ cups) icing sugar (powdered sugar)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoons bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Set oven to 180°C (350°F) and prepare two 20-centimeter cake pans by buttering and lining with parchment paper.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Meticulously sift flour, cocoa powder, and bicarbonate of soda into a medium bowl, ensuring a uniform, clump-free mixture.
3. Creaming Process: Utilize an electric mixer to whip butter with caster and light brown sugars until the mixture transforms into a pale, voluminous cream.
4. Liquid Integration: Gently introduce eggs one at a time, thoroughly blending after each addition. Incorporate vanilla extract to elevate the flavor profile.
5. Batter Development: Delicately fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain the cake’s tender consistency. Stream in brewed espresso, mixing until fully incorporated.
6. Baking Technique: Evenly distribute batter between prepared pans, tapping gently to eliminate air pockets. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness with a clean skewer test.
7. Cooling Protocol: Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
8. Frosting Creation: Whip butter and cocoa powder until smooth, gradually introducing powdered sugar and milk. Blend in vanilla extract, whipping until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
9. Assembly and Decoration: Position first cake layer on serving plate, spread buttercream generously. Carefully place second layer and coat entire cake with remaining frosting. Garnish with chocolate-covered espresso beans or finely chopped chocolate for an elegant finish.

Notes

• Precise Ingredient Temperature: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Coffee Intensity Matters: Use high-quality, freshly brewed espresso to maximize deep chocolate and coffee flavor complexity.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold dry ingredients carefully to prevent overworking the batter, which can result in a dense, tough cake.
• Pan Preparation Trick: Buttering and parchment-lining pans guarantees easy cake removal and prevents frustrating sticking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks, Drinks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 60 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg