Barefoot Contessa Easter Cake Receipes

Spring is synonymous with renewal and celebration, and what better way to honor the season than by whipping up a beautiful Easter cake? In this blog post, we dive into the delightful world of Barefoot Contessa Easter cake recipes. Known for her effortless style and mouthwatering dishes, Ina Garten, affectionately known as the Barefoot Contessa, brings the essence of Easter to your kitchen with cakes that are both visually stunning and irresistibly tasty.

Traditional Easter Cake

Ina Garten’s Traditional Easter Cake is a timeless choice for your Easter celebrations. Here’s how you can create this lovely dessert:

• Ingredients:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¹⁄₂ tsp baking powder
  • ¹⁄₂ tsp baking soda
  • ¹⁄₄ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 ¹⁄₂ cups finely grated carrots
• Method:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
  4. Mix in the sour cream and lemon zest. Gradually add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the dry mixture.
  5. Stir in the grated carrots until evenly distributed.
  6. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before turning out onto wire racks to cool completely.
  8. For the frosting, whip up a batch of Ina’s classic Cream Cheese Frosting, which we’ll discuss later in this post.

🐰 Note: Make sure your ingredients like butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature to achieve the smoothest batter.

Carrot Cake Showstopper

Carrot cakes are an Easter classic, and Ina’s version is a spectacle of flavor and finesse.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ¹⁄₃ cups vegetable oil
  • 3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups plus 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 ¹⁄₂ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 pound carrots, grated
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
• Method:
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper, and butter and flour the pans.
  2. Beat the sugar, oil, and eggs together with an electric mixer until light yellow. Add vanilla.
  3. Sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a rubber spatula. Fold in the carrots, raisins, and walnuts.
  4. Divide the batter equally between the pans. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until the tops spring back when touched.
  5. Allow to cool thoroughly on wire racks.
• Frosting:

  Ina’s cream cheese frosting is what makes this cake a showstopper:

  • 12 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ³⁄₄ pound unsalted butter (12 tablespoons), room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 pound powdered sugar, sifted

  Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until just combined. Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Frost the cake generously and decorate with additional walnuts or carrot curls.

🥕 Note: For extra moisture and richness, you can soak the raisins in brandy or apple cider before adding them to the batter.

Berry Easter Shortcake

Easter is also a time to indulge in fresh, seasonal berries. Here’s how you can make a stunning shortcake inspired by Ina:

• Ingredients:
  • 4 cups sliced strawberries
  • 2 cups blueberries
  • 1 cup blackberries
  • ¹⁄₄ cup sugar
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ¹⁄₄ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Shortcake (use your favorite recipe or Ina’s biscuit recipe)
• Method:
  1. Toss berries with sugar and let them sit for at least 30 minutes to release juices.
  2. Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
  3. Slice the shortcakes in half. Place the bottom half on a plate, spoon over some berry mixture, top with whipped cream, then add the top half of the shortcake, more berries, and another dollop of cream.

🍓 Note: This dessert is versatile; you can substitute or add any berry you prefer or have on hand.

Easter Egg Hunt Cake

Create a fun and whimsical Easter theme with this cake that mimics an egg hunt:

• Ingredients:
  • Your favorite white cake recipe or box mix
  • Easter egg candy for decoration
  • Cream Cheese Frosting
• Method:
  1. Bake two 9-inch round cakes following your chosen recipe. Let cool completely.
  2. Level the cakes if needed and frost with cream cheese frosting.
  3. Use pastel-colored frosting or fondant to create an “Easter egg hunt” scene on top. Scatter Easter egg candies around, making it look like they are hidden in a little cake field.

🥚 Note: Get creative with your decorations; you can use edible flowers, sprinkles, or even edible glitter to enhance the festive look.

Easter, with its promise of new beginnings, is the perfect time to indulge in special treats that not only tantalize the taste buds but also bring joy to your celebration. Whether you’re sticking to tradition with a classic carrot cake or exploring the fun side with an Easter egg-themed cake, Ina Garten’s recipes offer something for everyone. They’re not just desserts; they’re an expression of love, warmth, and the festive spirit of Easter. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your ovens, and let’s bake our way through a delightful Easter!

Can I make these cakes in advance?

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Yes, these cakes can be made in advance. Layer cakes can be prepared and frosted up to 2 days ahead if stored in the refrigerator. For the berry shortcake, macerate the berries and make the whipped cream on the day of serving for best results.

What frosting pairs best with carrot cake?

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Cream cheese frosting is the traditional and most popular choice for carrot cake. Its tangy flavor beautifully complements the sweet and spiced notes of the carrot cake.

How can I make the cakes more Easter-like?

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To enhance the Easter theme, consider decorating with pastel colors, edible flowers, or even small chocolate eggs. You can also use Easter-themed sprinkles or shape the cake into nests with candy eggs.