Let’s pretend that Chocolate Cake for Your Thighs is like Chicken Soup for the Soul. Jordan introduced this chocolate cake to me. It comes from The Barefoot Contessa, and like every single recipe of Ina’s, this one is great! Just ask my thighs! I might have to ride my bicycle several hours to undo the damage. But, oh well, it’s all in the name of research. Since Valentine’s Day is next week, and chocolate is the way to everyone’s heart, this cake will show you a good time.
Ingredients
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Butter, for greasing the pans
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1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
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2 cups sugar
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3/4 cups good cocoa powder
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2 teaspoons baking soda
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
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1 cup buttermilk, shaken
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1/2 cup vegetable oil
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2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
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Chocolate Buttercream, recipe follows
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch x 2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.
Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.
Chocolate Frosting:
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6 ounces good semisweet chocolate (recommended: Callebaut)
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1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
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1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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1 1/4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
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1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
You make me laugh! I love this recipe. Anything from the barefoot contessa has to be good! Thanks for sharing!
blessings,
karianne
Anything chocolate is always “good for the soul”…Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. Love that Ina!
Perfect for the thighs for sure!
Looks to die for and just in time for Valentine’s Day!
xox
Alison