The Foolproof Ina Garten’s Chocolate Cake Recipe Everyone Loves

Chocolate cakes have always been a delightful centerpiece at ina gartens gatherings.

Her rich, velvety creation promises pure indulgence with every slice.

Decadent layers promise a luxurious experience that melts in your mouth.

Carefully selected ingredients bring depth and complexity to this classic dessert.

Smooth chocolate notes dance across your palate, creating a sensational experience.

Whispers of vanilla and hints of premium cocoa make this recipe truly special.

Each bite tells a story of culinary passion and precision.

You’ll want to savor every moment of this delectable masterpiece.

Why Ina Gartens Chocolate Cake Is A Must-Bake

• Quick Kitchen Magic: Craft a decadent chocolate cake with minimal steps and basic pantry ingredients, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• No-Stress Dessert Solution: Create a crowd-pleasing treat that impresses guests without requiring advanced culinary techniques or complicated equipment.
• Versatile Celebration Centerpiece: Ideal for birthdays, family gatherings, potlucks, or any moment deserving a rich chocolate indulgence that sparks joy and creates memorable connections.
• Customize with Ease: Personalize the cake with optional garnishes like chocolate shavings or adapt with different frostings to match personal preferences and special occasions.

Ingredients Needed For Ina Gartens Chocolate Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational base that provides structure to the chocolate cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cake.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's rich texture.
• Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, tender crumb.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and soft.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.
• Hot Water: Helps activate the cocoa and creates a silky, thin batter.

• Unsalted Butter: Forms the creamy base of the chocolate frosting.
• Powdered Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Milk, Vanilla Extract, Salt: Combine to create a smooth, rich chocolate frosting with balanced sweetness and depth.

How To Prepare Ina Gartens Chocolate Cake

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Pans

Warm the oven to 350°F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray or butter. Line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Baking powder

Whisk these ingredients until they are thoroughly blended and free of lumps.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Whole milk
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Whisk until the mixture is smooth and slightly foamy.

Step 4: Create Chocolate Batter

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix the batter.

Step 5: Add Hot Water

Slowly pour hot water into the batter, stirring continuously. The batter will become thin and glossy.

Step 6: Fill Cake Pans

Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Tap pans on the counter to release air bubbles.

Step 7: Bake Cake Layers

Bake for 30-35 minutes. Rotate pans halfway through cooking. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool Cake Layers

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

Step 9: Prepare Chocolate Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Beat until frosting is smooth and spreadable.

Step 10: Assemble Cake

Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread frosting across the top. Carefully position second layer.

Step 11: Frost Entire Cake

Cover entire cake with a smooth, even layer of chocolate frosting.

Step 12: Optional Decoration

Sprinkle chocolate shavings or dust with cocoa powder for an elegant touch.

Tips That Work For Ina Gartens Chocolate Cake

• Bake with Precision: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and a smoother batter texture.
• Control Moisture Magic: Add hot water gradually to intensify chocolate flavor and create a moist, tender cake crumb.
• Prevent Overmixing Pitfall: Stir batter gently until ingredients are just combined to maintain a light, soft cake texture.
• Master Cooling Technique: Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to prevent potential crumbling.
• Frost Like a Pro: Ensure cake layers are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.

Ways To Change Up Ina Gartens Chocolate Cake

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains rich chocolate flavor.
• Vegan Chocolate Delight: Swap eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, use plant-based milk, and replace butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Cake: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall calorie content while preserving decadent taste.
• Dairy-Free Chocolate Treat: Use coconut milk instead of whole milk, swap butter for margarine, and ensure all ingredients are dairy-free for lactose-intolerant individuals.

Best Pairings For Ina Gartens Chocolate Cake

• Pair Decadent Chocolate Cake with Culinary Companions
• Brew Bold Red Wine: Select a rich, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot that complements the cake's deep chocolate notes, creating a luxurious dessert experience that balances sweetness with robust wine undertones.
• Match Creamy Coffee Delight: Serve alongside a velvety cappuccino or smooth espresso, letting the warm, aromatic coffee cut through the cake's richness and enhance its chocolatey depth with a perfect temperature contrast.
• Elevate with Raspberry Zest: Garnish the plate with fresh raspberry coulis or whole raspberries, introducing a bright, tart flavor that beautifully cuts through the cake's intense chocolate, adding a refreshing and elegant touch to each bite.

Ina Gartens Chocolate Cake Storage Tips

• Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping it fresh and moist in the refrigerator.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for 2-3 months without compromising texture or flavor.
• Cut individual slices, wrap separately in plastic wrap, and place in freezer bags for convenient single-serving portions lasting up to 3 months.
• Thaw frozen cake in refrigerator overnight, then let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore optimal taste and soft texture.

Common Questions About Ina Gartens Chocolate Cake

• How difficult is this chocolate cake recipe?

The recipe requires intermediate baking skills with precise techniques like sifting dry ingredients, whisking wet ingredients, and creating a smooth batter without overmixing.

• Can I use a different type of milk?

Yes, you can substitute whole milk with alternatives like almond milk, soy milk, or skim milk, but the texture and richness might slightly vary.

• Why do I need to add hot water to the batter?

Hot water helps activate the cocoa powder, creating a deeper chocolate flavor and producing a more moist, tender cake texture.

• What if I don't have parchment paper for the cake pans?

You can use a generous amount of butter and flour to grease the pans, or use non-stick cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking to the pan bottoms.

Ina Gartens Chocolate Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10-15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Chocolate lovers will swoon over Ina Garten’s luxurious chocolate cake, a masterpiece of rich, moist decadence. Indulgent layers meld perfectly with silky frosting, promising a slice of pure dessert bliss that will delight you from the first heavenly bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and meticulously prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing them thoroughly and lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Sift together the dry ingredients – flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder – ensuring a smooth, lump-free mixture in a large mixing bowl.
3. Whisk the eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until perfectly blended and slightly frothy.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient mixture, stirring gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
5. Gradually stream in the hot water, mixing continuously to create a silky, thin chocolate batter that looks glossy and uniform.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, gently tapping them on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through to ensure even baking, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. For the frosting, cream the unsalted butter until smooth and fluffy using an electric mixer.
10. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, vanilla extract, and salt, beating until the frosting reaches a rich, spreadable consistency.
11. Once the cakes are entirely cool, place one layer on a serving plate and generously spread frosting across the top.
12. Carefully position the second cake layer and cover the entire cake with a smooth, even layer of chocolate frosting.
13. Optional: Garnish with chocolate shavings or a light dusting of cocoa powder for an elegant finish.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Opt for Dutch-processed cocoa powder to enhance the rich chocolate flavor and provide deeper color.
• Replace whole milk with dairy-free alternatives like almond or oat milk for a vegan version of the cake.
• Ensure precise measuring of ingredients, especially baking soda and baking powder, to maintain the cake’s perfect rise and texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg