Beatty’s Chocolate Cake

After my dad purchased a new Kitchenaid mixer, we started baking homemade treats for the family. The most delicious dessert we concocted came from Ina Garten‘s recipe for Beatty’s Chocolate Cake. This cake was moist, chocolate-y, and light, which left us feeling happy without the bloat. Here’s how to make this amazing cake:

Ingredients (for cake)

•  Butter
• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cups cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup buttermilk (shaken)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs (room temp)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup freshly brewed coffee

Ingredients (for buttercream frosting)

• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 2 sticks unsalted butter (room temp)
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon coffee powder

Directions (for cake)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two 8×2 inch round cake pans with parchment paper and butter on top.
2. Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into
   the mixing bowl and mix on low speed until everything is mixed.  
3. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. When the mixer is on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and add the coffee to the bowl as well.
5. Pour the batter into the two pans and bake for roughly 35-40 mins. Allow the cakes to cool for 30 mins on a cooling rack. 
6. Place the first layer on a plate or stand and frost the sides and top before placing the second layer on top of that.

 Directions (for frosting)

1. Chop the chocolate in to pieces and heat it over a pan of simmering water. Stir the chocolate until it’s completely melted and smooth.
2. Beat the sticks of butter in a mixing bowl until it is light yellow and fluffy.
3. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat for around three mins.
4. Turn the mixer to low speed and slowly add the confectioner’s sugar before beating at medium speed.
5. Dissolve the coffee powder in hot water and add to the bowl while adding the melted chocolate as well.
6. Spread immediately on the cake pieces after making the frosting.