Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? Because I’m about to take your taste buds on a wild, chocolate-covered adventure with my Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake. This recipe is absolutely INSANE – and I’m not even sorry about it! We’re talking layers of moist, fudgy chocolate cake, silky hazelnut buttercream, and a crunchy hazelnut crumble that will have you falling head over heels. Warning: This dish causes serious food jealousy, so get ready to make your friends and family drool.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake
Life gave us ingredients – and I say we make them LEGENDARY! This Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake is the ultimate indulgence for all your sweet-tooth cravings. The combination of rich chocolate and nutty hazelnut is simply out of this world. Plus, with its stunning presentation and melt-in-your-mouth texture, this cake is sure to be the star of any dessert table. We’re about to turn your kitchen into flavor paradise, so get ready for a truly epic, mind-blowing dessert experience.
Ingredients
Get ready, because the ingredients for this Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake are about to make your mouth water. We’ve got moist, fudgy chocolate cake, silky smooth hazelnut buttercream, and a crunchy hazelnut crumble topping. The best part? These are all made with simple, everyday ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store.
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour – for a tender, moist cake
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar – to balance the richness
- 3/4 cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder – for deep, chocolatey flavor
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5ml) baking soda – for rise and texture
- 1 cup (240ml) milk – to keep the cake super moist
Ingredient Substitutions
- Gluten-Free Flour: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour (the flavor and texture will be just as amazing).
- Dairy-Free: Swap the milk and butter for your favorite plant-based alternatives to make this cake dairy-free.
How to Make Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff! This Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake might look impressive, but I promise it’s actually pretty easy to make. We’re going to start by whipping up the most amazingly moist and fudgy chocolate cake you’ve ever tasted. Then, we’ll create a silky smooth hazelnut buttercream that will have you licking the spoon. Top it all off with a crunchy hazelnut crumble, and you’ve got one seriously epic dessert.
Step 1: Prep Work
First, let’s get all our ingredients ready to go. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, and gather everything you need. This is where the magic really starts to happen, so let’s make sure we’re all set up for success.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Alright, time to dive into the cake-making process. We’re going to start by mixing up the chocolate cake batter, then bake those beauties to perfection at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes. Once the cakes have cooled, it’s time to get to work on that dreamy hazelnut buttercream. Trust me, this stuff is going to be the star of the show.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Now for the fun part – assembling this Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake! We’ll start by leveling the cakes, then layer on that silky smooth buttercream. To really take things to the next level, we’re going to add a crunchy hazelnut crumble topping. This is where the “Wow!” factor comes into play, my friends.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
The final step is all about the finishing touches. We’re talking drizzles of chocolate ganache, extra hazelnut crumble, maybe even a sprinkle of chopped hazelnuts for good measure. This is where we really make this Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake look as good as it tastes.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Nut Swap: If hazelnuts aren’t your thing, you can easily substitute with almonds or pecans for a different nutty twist.
- Espresso Boost: Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the cake batter to really amplify the chocolate flavor.
- Boozy Version: Splash in a touch of Frangelico or Kahlua for a grown-up version of this Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake.
- Cupcake Conversion: This recipe works great as cupcakes too! Just adjust the baking time and top each one with a swirl of hazelnut buttercream.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and a sprinkle of chopped hazelnuts.
Storage: You can keep this Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 1 week. Just be sure to cover it tightly to keep it fresh and moist.
Reheat: No need to reheat – this cake is best served at room temperature or chilled.
Make-Ahead: You can definitely make this cake a day or two in advance. It actually gets better with a little time, so feel free to prepare it ahead of time.
Nutrition Information
Okay, let’s be honest – this Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake is not exactly a health food. But you know what they say, “Life is short, eat dessert first!” And trust me, this cake is worth every single calorie. With its rich, indulgent flavors and decadent texture, it’s the ultimate treat for any special occasion. So go ahead, indulge and enjoy every bite!
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of the cake)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Protein: 6 g
- Carbs: 70 g
- Fat: 30 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cake gluten-free or dairy-free?
Absolutely! As I mentioned earlier, you can easily swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend, and use dairy-free milk and butter to make this cake work for any dietary needs.
Can I make this cake in advance?
Yes, you can! This Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake actually gets better with a little time, so feel free to make it a day or two before you plan to serve it. Just be sure to store it properly in the fridge or at room temperature.
Can I use a different type of nut?
Of course! While hazelnuts are the star of the show in this recipe, you can definitely substitute other nuts, like almonds or pecans, if that’s more your style.
How do I get the cake layers so perfectly flat?
The key to perfectly flat cake layers is all in the prep work. Make sure to grease and flour your cake pans really well, and use a serrated knife to trim the tops of the cakes once they’ve cooled.
Can I make this cake into cupcakes instead?
Absolutely! This Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake recipe would work great as cupcakes too. Just adjust the baking time accordingly and top each one with a swirl of that irresistible hazelnut buttercream.
Try These Next
- Chocolate Hazelnut Bliss Cheesecake
- Decadent Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake
- Sinful Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Tart
Decadent Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy layers of this Chocolate Hazelnut Dream Cake, a perfect dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
1 cup hazelnut spread
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
3. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
5. Stir in boiling water until well combined.
6. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
7. Let cakes cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans.
8. Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form and fold in hazelnut spread.
9. Layer the cakes with hazelnut cream and top with chopped hazelnuts.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use dark cocoa powder.
You can substitute the hazelnut spread with chocolate ganache for a different taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: chocolate, hazelnut, cake, dessert