I tried 2 of Ina Garten's favorite chocolate cakes and discovered a dessert everyone should learn how to make

Anneta KonstantinidesJan 13, 2024, 20:02 IST

I made two of Ina Garten's most popular chocolate cakes to see which dessert was best.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I tried two of Ina Garten's most popular chocolate cakes for the ultimate dessert showdown.
Her chocolate cake with mocha frosting was delicious and easier to make.

I've been using Ina Garten's recipes to become a better home cook, so naturally, I've made many of her desserts to satisfy my sweet tooth.

From a blueberry-ricotta breakfast cake that won over my mom on Mother's Day to the iconic mocha icebox cake that Garten says makes "grown men weep," she truly has a dessert for everyone.

But Garten really excels when it comes to chocolate, and I've made two of her favorite chocolate cakes. The question is, which one is best?

Here's how it all went down.

First, let's make Garten's chocolate cake with mocha frosting.

Ina Garten's chocolate cake with mocha frosting.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Garten's chocolate cake features unsweetened cocoa powder, pure vanilla extract, and instant espresso powder.

Ingredients for Garten's chocolate cake.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The frosting for Garten's cake features bittersweet chocolate, Kahlúa, and more espresso powder.

Ingredients for Garten's mocha frosting.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I sifted my dry ingredients together and mixed the cocoa and espresso powders with half-and-half and hot water before I began making my batter.

The batter for Garten's chocolate cake.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I poured my batter into a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan and smoothed the top.

I buttered my pan, lined it with parchment paper, and then buttered and floured it again.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I placed my cake in the oven, which had been preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

The cake takes around 25-35 minutes to bake, depending on the oven.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The mocha frosting for Garten's cake was quick to assemble.

Mixing the frosting for Garten's chocolate cake.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I needed to mix my frosting one more time before it was ready.

Whipping the frosting for Garten's chocolate cake.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I loved the texture of Garten's chocolate cake, but the mocha icing didn't blow me away.

A slice of Garten's chocolate cake with mocha frosting.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Next up was Beatty's Chocolate Cake, which Garten called the "most fabulous chocolate cake" she's ever made.

I made two of Ina Garten's most popular chocolate cakes to see which dessert was best.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Beatty's Chocolate Cake features freshly-brewed coffee, cocoa powder, and buttermilk.

Ingredients for Beatty's Chocolate Cake.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The frosting for Beatty's Chocolate Cake includes semisweet chocolate, instant coffee granules, and pure vanilla.

Ingredients for the buttercream frosting for Beatty's Chocolate Cake.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

First, I made the batter.

Adding freshly-brewed coffee to the batter for Beatty's Chocolate Cake.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I evenly poured my batter into two 8-inch round pans.

I buttered my pans, lined the bottom of each with parchment paper, and then buttered and floured them again.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I threw my pans into the oven, which was set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

I let my cakes cool for 30 minutes.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Garten calls her frosting the "easiest, most delicious buttercream you've ever seen."

Making the buttercream frosting for Beatty's Chocolate Cake.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Everything about Beatty's Chocolate Cake tasted incredible.

Beatty's Chocolate Cake was deliciously moist.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The winner was clear, Beatty's Chocolate Cake really ... took the cake.

Beatty's Chocolate Cake was the clear winner of this dessert showdown.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

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