Crunchy Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cool Foods available at Publix. The opinions and text are mine

This decadent Crunchy Chocolate Hazelnut Cake has 3 layers of chocolate cake filled with creamy chocolate hazelnut ganache and is frosted with praline cream.

Crunchy Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

Doesn’t this cake look sexy?

It’s because in the baking world this one would be cataloged as a semi-naked cake.

The layer of praline cream is spread thinly to reveal the dark chocolate sponges inside. Clever huh?

Just imagine, 3 layers of moist chocolate cake sandwiched between a creamy and fudgy chocolate hazelnut ganache and covered in a praline buttercream. I also added some large chunks of hazelnuts inside and on the top for extra crunch.

If you’re a fan of chocolate and hazelnuts then you need to make this cake ASAP. It’s perfect for birthdays, parties, and bake sales.

You know, pairing chocolate with hazelnuts is not as easy as it looks. These nuts have a very delicate taste that can be overpowered by the cocoa.

To avoid that, I have a trick up my sleeve and if you’ve paid attention, I’ve used it before in past recipes. a Hazelnut flavor powerhouse that you may already have in your fridge.

Yup, that delicious Nestlé Coffee-Mate Creamer in Hazelnut flavor is my secret weapon when I want to enhance the nutty flavor in my desserts (and in my morning coffee too!).

Remember my delicious Hazelnut Madeleines? or my Ferrero Stuffed Cookies? They all contain Nestlé Coffee-Mate Creamer

I recommend you head on over to your local Publix and stock up on a few bottles since right now they’re on sale for only $2 each during their Cool Foods promotion. Click here to check out the savings.

Stock up because when you make this cake, you will get requests to bake some more.

All the ingredients found to make this Crunchy Chocolate Hazelnut Cake can be found at your local Publix. Even bags of peeled hazelnuts yay!

For the frosting, you will need to make your own praline paste. It’s super easy and requires just a few steps.

I hope you can try this delicious Crunchy Chocolate Hazelnut Cake at home. If you do, please upload a pic on Instagram and tag me @Livingsweetmoments or use the hashtag #LivingSweet.

4.8 from 10 votes

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Crunchy Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Chilling Time

2 hrs

Total Time

45 mins

 

This decadent Crunchy Chocolate Hazelnut Cake has 3 layers of chocolate cake filled with creamy chocolate hazelnut ganache and frosted with praline cream

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cake decoration, chocolate cake, hazelnut cake, moist chocolate cake

Servings: 16 slices

Calories: 573 kcal

Author: Tiffany Bendayan

Ingredients

For Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

• 1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 3/4 cup Cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 2 Eggs (large)
• 1/4 cup Butter (1/2 stick softened)
• 3/4 cups Nestlé Hazelnut Coffee-Mate Creamer
• 3/4 cups Boiling Water

For Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache

• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons Nestlé Hazelnut Coffee-Mate Creamer
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

For Hazelnut Praline Frosting

• 1 cup Butter softened
• 3/4 cup Hazelnut Praline *
• 2 cups Powdered Sugar sifted
• 2 tablespoons Nestlé Hazelnut Coffee-Mate Creamer

For Garnish

• 1 cup Hazelnuts toasted and chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

2. Grease 3 - 9" round cake pans

3. Sift the flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a bowl. Set aside

4. In the mixer, cream the butter and sugar together for 4-5 minutes or until fluffy

5. Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition

6. Alternate the dry ingredients with the Nestlé Hazelnut Coffee-Mate Creamer, starting and ending with the dry ingredients

7. Finally, whisk in the boiling water slowly. Make sure all ingredients are completely mixed. Mixture will be very runny

8. Pour batter on the 3 prepared pans and bake for approximately 11-15 minutes (mine took 12 minutes)

9. Remove from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes before unmolding and cooling on wire racks

10. Cakes must be completely cooled before filling and frosting

For Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache

1. Place chocolate chips in a bowl and set aside

2. In a saucepan, pour the Hazelnut flavored Nestlé Hazelnut Coffee-Mate Creamer and the butter. Cook on medium heat until mixture boils

3. Pour boiling liquid over the chips and let the ganache sit for 3-4 minutes to allow the chocolate chips to melt

4. Mix the ganache until smooth and shiny. Cool and refrigerate to allow the mixture to thicken 

For Hazelnut Praline Frosting

1. In the mixer, cream the praline paste and butter together on medium speed for 4-5 minutes or until fluffy

2. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep mixing

3. Finally, add the coffee mate and mix. Frosting should be thick and creamy. If it's runny place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes 

Assembly

1. Level your cakes with a knife 

2. Place one layer or cake. Pipe a thick border around the cake using the praline frosting

3. Fill the cake with the ganache. Sprinkle some hazelnut chunks all over. Cover and repeat with the next layer. Save 1/4 cup of ganache for the top

4. Top with the last layer of cake. Cover the surface and sides with the praline frosting. Smoothing it out. Freeze for 10-15 minutes

5. Microwave for 30 seconds the 1/4 cup of ganache. Pour it in a squeeze bottle or a piping bag. 

6. Squeeze a bit of ganache on the sides of the cake to create the drip effect. Decorate the top and sides with the rest of the praline frosting and chunks of hazelnuts

7. Refrigerate until ready to serve

8. Enjoy! 

Recipe Notes

*Hazelnut Praline Paste recipe can be found HERE

Nutrition Facts

Crunchy Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

Amount Per Serving

Calories 573 Calories from Fat 324

% Daily Value*

Fat 36g55%

Saturated Fat 17g106%

Cholesterol 63mg21%

Sodium 381mg17%

Potassium 367mg10%

Carbohydrates 56g19%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 38g42%

Protein 8g16%

Vitamin A 530IU11%

Vitamin C 0.5mg1%

Calcium 53mg5%

Iron 3.2mg18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.