February 9, 2015

Easy Nutella Chocolate Cake

Nutella!  In a cake!

Easy Nutella Chocolate Cake

It’s your new Valentine’s Day tradition.

Easy Nutella Chocolate Cake

Every year before V-day I tend to post a delightful little rant about how much I hate Valentine’s Day, but this year I’m taking a more positive spin.  Yes, I still think it’s an abusive holiday full of Hallmark-laced delusions and single-shaming schemes.  BUT!  It’s also a day dedicated to chocolate, and champagne, and being spoiled for no reason, so I guess it’s got some benefits.

Also, cake!  Valentine’s Day is now about cake.

Easy Nutella Chocolate Cake

Recently I’ve been bit by the baking bug in such a serious way, I’ve morphed into a full on BETTY.  I sift flour, melt chocolate, crack eggs, and whisk everything by hand, just like a 1950’s pro.  If you’re curious, I’m not so novice that I don’t have a KitchenAid stand mixer.  I mean, of course I do!  But unfortunately, that lovely little gadget is renting space in my parents attic along with the rest of my wedding presents.  So instead I mix my batters the old school way, and I’ve gotta admit, my arms have never looked better!

Easy Nutella Chocolate Cake

This is a pretty straight forward recipe with two major wow factors.

1.) Nutella!!

2.) Fresh Roses!

Yesss, I garnished a cake with fresh roses and it was THE BEST decision ever.  I mean, look at these pictures!!  Are you swooning?  I’m swooning.

Easy Nutella Chocolate Cake

It’s important that you know I baked this cake in an 8″springform pan, so if you’re working with a standard springform size (10″) your cake won’t be as voluminous.  And because this cake has Nutella in the batter and a Nutella center, a two-layer cake won’t work with this recipe – It’s gotta be baked in one.

YUP!  I just said filled with Nutella + baked with Nutella, because I love you guys that much.

I’ll admit that a Nutella “center” is a bit misleading, seeing as the Nutella sinks to the bottom of the batter.  So I guess this cake is more lined with a Nutella STUFFING, which is still pretty damn incredible.

Easy Nutella Chocolate Cake

Specifics?

This is a fairly classic chocolate batter, the exception being there’s less oil and cocoa powder than traditional recipes because the whisked in Nutella makes up for both.  The baking method is also standard: 350F, 30-35 minutes, oven middle rack.  And for the frosting?  Don’t shade me, but I bought my favorite Duncan Hines.  I know, I knowww, I should have made it myself.  But to make up for my store-bought shortcut I decorated the hell out of this baby, so I think we can call it even.

Easy Nutella Chocolate Cake

From a visual standpoint, this cake is a dream!  I’ve never piped frosting before, and I have to say it went pretty well.  Yes my hands were covered in frosting by the time all was said and done – piping bags are tricky! – but my puffy clouds of frost came out even and delicate and MUCH better than I expected for a first time piper.  But I didn’t stop there, because why not go bigger?  I picked up some delightful heart-shaped sprinkles and swooped up some gorgeous pink roses, and these just MADE the whole beautiful thang.

So pretty, so lovely, so Valentine’s Day perfect <3

Easy Nutella Chocolate Cake

Yield: 8 - 10 servings

Prep Time: 30 mins (Includes icing/decorating!)

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 3/4 cup Sugar
  • 1/3 cup Cocoa Powder
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • pinch of Salt
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 2 cups Nutella, Melted {divided}
  • 1/2 cup Buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup Canola Oil
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 16 oz. Favorite Frosting (I used Duncan Hines Classic Vanilla)
  • Crisco to grease

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350F.  Lightly grease 8″ spingform pan with Crisco, then set aside.
  • In large mixing bowl sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, then lightly whisk until all ingredients are well combined.  Next, in another large bowl combine the eggs, buttermilk, canola oil, and vanilla, whisking thoroughly.
  • Melt 1 cup Nutella in the microwave, 30 -45 seconds.  Immediately whisk melted Nutella into wet ingredients until well mixed, then slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring vigorously as you do until a smooth batter takes shape.
  • Pour 1/3 of batter into greased springform pan.  Melt remaining cup of Nutella, then drizzle into the center of batter, smoothing out in a gentle, circular motion.*  Immediately pour remainder of batter over Nutella center.
  • Bake cake on oven middle rack for 30 – 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out of the center clean.  Allow to cool completely, then frost with your favorite icing and serve.

>> The Nutella will settle (aka sink to the bottom) naturally, so gingerly spread it out while you pour.

Easy Nutella Chocolate Cake like, THE most romantic cake eva, dontcha think?

 

posted by Christine in: Sweets
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