The 2 Seasons

A mother/daughter duo, residing in two different parts of the country, team up to write a lively blog about their homes, decorating, food, fun, and their world-wide travels.

  • About Us
  • Travel
  • Projects
  • Recipes Index
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Sides and Salads
    • Mains
    • Desserts
    • Beverages
  • Adoption

Barefoot Contessa’s Chocolate Cake Recipe

By Janette | Food

If you are looking for another chocolate cake recipe, then we found one for you.  There is something about cold weather that makes me crave chocolate in any form.  In fact, I could probably main-line it and be happy.  If you have been around here for a while, then you know that I am obsessed with The Barefoot Contessa.  Luckily, Santa brought her latest book, Make It Ahead,  and I just had to try her chocolate cake with mocha frosting recipe.  In fact, I even ordered the Pernigotti cocoa powder she always uses just so the cake would taste just right.  I have often wondered if the high end cocoa powders are any better than Hershey’s.  Now I know.  The answer is yes, yes, yes!!!  But, we like to keep it real here on the blog, and I feel a need to tell you the whole story.  I actually made this cake twice.  I was awake at 4 a.m. yesterday morning and decided to get up and bake the cake since I knew it was going to be our recipe of the week (and my birthday cake.)  I mixed it, (my Kitchen Aid actually behaved), poured in the batter, put it all in the oven, loaded all of the pans into the dishwasher, and started to wipe the counter.  That’s when I saw the three eggs sitting on the counter.  They were supposed to be in the batter.  Whomp, whomp.  So, I sighed (yes, I really just sighed), got out a clean set of pans, measuring cups, beaters, etc. and made it again.  All before 6 a.m.  Luckily, the second effort turned out just the way I wanted, and the photos prove it.

 Choc. Cake 681x1024 - Barefoot Contessa's Chocolate Cake Recipe

 

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH MOCHA FROSTING

 

12 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature

2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature  (Don’t forget!!!)

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2/3 cup hottest tap water

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Pernigotti

1 teaspoon instant espresso powder

2/3 cup half and half

Mocha frosting (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 35o degrees.  Grease and flour a 9 by 13 by 2 inch cake pant.

Mix butter and sugar till fluffy, about 4 to 5 minutes.  Add vanilla and then beat in the eggs one at a time till incorporated.

Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl.  In another bowl whisk together the hot water, cocoa powder, espresso powder until smooth.  Add the half and half and whisk till smooth.  With the mixer on low, add the flour and chocolate mixtures alternately in thirds, starting and ending with the flour.  With a rubber spatula, scrape down the bowl to be sure the batter in well mixed.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.  Cool completely before adding frosting.

 

 

MOCHA FROSTING

 

12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, such as Lindt, 1/4 inch chopped

 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced, at room temperature

1 1/4 cups heavy cream

2 teaspoons instant espresso powder

1 tablespoon Kahlua

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place the chocolate, butter, and espresso powder in a bowl.  Heat the cream to simmer and pour it over the chocolate mixture, stirring occasionally until the chocolate is melted.  (If the chocolate isn’t melted, microwave for 15 seconds.:)  Stir in the Kahlua and vanilla and stir until the mixture is smooth.  Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes only, until cool but not cold.

Scrape down the bowl and beat the frosting with a handheld mixer on high speed for 15 to 20 seconds ONLY, until the mixture forms soft peaks.  (If you overheat, it will curdle!)  Spread on the cake immediately with a metal spatula.

 

In case you have a thing for chocolate cake like we do, check out some more recipes here and here.  We will see you back here tomorrow with our Seasons’ Saturday Selections.

 Jordan here

I want to wish my mom a very happy birthday.  She is a wonderful mother and I love being her daughter.  It is wonderful we get to spend time together and do this blog.  I wish her many more birthdays and can’t wait till we are together again.  Happy Birthday Mom!

happy birthday - Barefoot Contessa's Chocolate Cake Recipe

Take care.

Affiliate links included

Related posts:

default - Barefoot Contessa's Chocolate Cake RecipeThe Deepest, Darkest, Bestest Chocolate Cake EVER IMG 0028 - Barefoot Contessa's Chocolate Cake RecipeChocolate Cupcakes w/ Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe default - Barefoot Contessa's Chocolate Cake RecipeChocolate Cake For Your Thighs Chocolate pudding cake 120x120 - Barefoot Contessa's Chocolate Cake RecipeChocolate Pudding Cake

Share This:

Comments

  1. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    January 9, 2015 at 9:15 am

    Oh, I’m sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and WOW does that cake look fabulous. Coffee and chocolate go great together! YUMMY! I will give it a try! Hope all is well with both of you! xo

  2. Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says

    January 9, 2015 at 10:56 am

    Hope that you have an awesome birthday!! The cake looks amazing and what a great way to celebrate by having such a delicious looking cake. I love Ina and I don’t think I have ever fixed a recipe of hers that we didn’t like. I have been thinking about getting her new cookbook, do you rate it as good as her other ones?

  3. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    January 9, 2015 at 12:47 pm

    I am planning to buy that book!….the cake looks delicious and Happy Birthday Janette!!!!

  4. Joan says

    January 11, 2015 at 2:50 pm

    I am half way through this recipe – cake in the oven! Frosting – how much cream???????? Is not listed and I can find the recipe no where on line!!!!!!

    • Janette says

      January 11, 2015 at 4:00 pm

      Joan, it takes 1 1/4 cups heavy cream. I hope I answered in time. Sorry for the oversight.

Jordan and Janette

HOUSE TOURS

ADVERTISE

CONTACT

Subscribe to our Blog

Where We Shop

  • Amazon
  • Baggallini
  • Etsy
  • Lands' End
  • Nordstrom
  • Wayfair

Search

Favorites

  • DIY Cook Top DIY Stove Cover
  • Finished no words 275x275 - Barefoot Contessa's Chocolate Cake Recipe How to Turn Bi-fold Doors into French Doors
  • How to add storage to your kitchen cabinets - The 2 Seasons How to Add More Storage in the Kitchen
  • Transparent pie - The 2 Seasons Recipe for George Clooney’s Favorite Pie

Categories

Archives

DHgate kitchen supplies​
It’s time to pull out the patriotic pillows for It’s time to pull out the patriotic pillows for my second favorite holiday. Bring on the #redwhiteandblue #pillow #july4th #homedecor #familyroom #mybhg
A lucky yard is getting a truck full of #hydrangea A lucky yard is getting a truck full of #hydrangeas #flowers #gardening #landscape #landscaping
Ready for guests, and we just can’t wait!!! #gue Ready for guests, and we just can’t wait!!!
#guestroom #entertaining #frenchcountry #blueandwhite #traditionalhome #thecollectedlook #embroidery #bhg #mysouthernliving #blueandwhitedecor #mycollectedlook
✨Welcome to Week 72 of Beautiful Decor Home Tour ✨Welcome to Week 72 of Beautiful Decor Home Tour!

Come join us to meet new friends & discover beautiful decor. You will  be inspired !
.
.
PARTICIPATING IS EASY! .
. ✨1. Follow All Hosts and Guest Hosts

@oliviapitts1014 
@southernspangled
@coloradohousetohome
@thevidalnest
@vanfleetfamfarmhouse

Guest host ~ 
@vintagejoycemarie 
@j.m.g.designs 
@our.sweet.abode
@bloom_jennybrooks 
@highlandlace .
.
.
✨2. Follow the hashtag #BeautifulDecorStyles
✨3. Follow all accounts posted under the hashtag you enjoy & find inspiring
✨4. DM a permanent host to join the Tour & start making new friends
.
Beautiful Decor Tour runs weekly ~ Monday, 8 pm EST - Wednesday, 8 pm EST.

#beautifuldecorstyles72v .
These two kids are celebrating 74 years of marriag These two kids are celebrating 74 years of marriage today. Happy Anniversary to our parents and grandparents. #loveislove #happyanniversary
One of my favorite things about having a courtyard One of my favorite things about having a courtyard garden is picking flowers and herbs and bringing them inside. Flowers always brighten up a room. #gardening #flowers #flowersofinstagram #bouquet #bouquetofflowers #homedecor #frenchcountrystyle #bdsdaily3
Same table cloth with two different July 4th looks Same table cloth with two different July 4th looks. Which one do you like?  #tablescape #tablescapes #holidaytable #july4th #redwhiteandblue #cottagestyle #traditionalhome #colorful
Travel gives me the opportunity to find interestin Travel gives me the opportunity to find interesting art at affordable prices. These two ladies came from Cuba. I found them in the corner at a large art venue. I couldn’t love them more. #art #travel #cuba #homedecor #bathroomdecor #mybhg #cottagecore #traditionalhome
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

All Content © 2021 · The 2 Seasons

Designed + Created by Jelly Design Studio

Advertise | Privacy Policy