Chocolate Nut Cake

This delightful chocolate nut cake combines rich dark chocolate and buttery almonds or hazelnuts to create a dessert that's irresistibly indulgent. With its crunchy edges and moist center, it's the perfect treat for special occasions or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth. The cake is easy to make, with a preparation time of just 30 minutes, making it a convenient choice for both novice and experienced bakers. The combination of chocolate and nuts offers a depth of flavor, while the texture provides a satisfying bite. Decadent yet simple to prepare, this cake invites you to get creative with its decoration, allowing you to personalize it according to your taste. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an elevated dessert experience. It's not just a cake, but a symphony of flavors and textures. Perfect as a standalone dessert or a grand finale for dinner parties, this chocolate nut cake is sure to impress. Enjoy baking and indulging in this exquisite creation!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

170 g sugar
160 g all-purpose flour
150 g butter
150 g dark chocolate
100 g chopped almonds, hazelnuts, or marmalade
3 eggs

Additional

Semolina for dusting the mold

Preparation Time

30 minutes (prep and cook time)

Step-by-Step Instruction

Melt the Butter and Chocolate: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and dark chocolate together, stirring frequently until well combined and smooth. Remove from heat.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift the all-purpose flour to remove any lumps.
Whisk the Eggs and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar thoroughly until the mixture becomes thick and pale, which takes about 3-4 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: Gradually pour the melted chocolate and butter mixture into the whisked eggs and sugar, stirring continuously to prevent the eggs from cooking.
Incorporate the Flour: Gently fold in the sifted flour, ensuring no lumps remain. Mix just until the flour is incorporated; avoid overmixing to keep the cake light.
Add Chopped Nuts: Stir in the chopped almonds, hazelnuts, or your choice of marmalade, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Prepare the Baking Mold: Generously grease your preferred baking mold with butter, then dust with semolina to ensure a crunchy exterior for the cake.
Pour the Batter: Carefully pour the batter into the prepared baking mold, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake the Cake: Place the mold in the lower rack of a preheated oven at 250 degrees Celsius. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the edges are golden and the center is set but moist.
Cool and Decorate: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the mold briefly before transferring to a wire rack. Decorate as desired once the cake has cooled completely.
Serve: Slice and serve the cake as is, or with a choice of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for added richness.

Tips

Substitutions: Use vegan butter and egg substitutes for a vegan version of this cake.
Decoration: Top with fruit slices, nuts, or a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive look.
Avoid Overmixing: To maintain a light cake texture, avoid overmixing flour into the batter.

Nutritions

Calories: Approximately 350 per slice
Protein: 6 g
Fats: 22 g
Carbs: 35 g

Variations

Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour for a gluten-free version.
Nut-Free Alternative: Substitute nuts with dried fruits or seeds to fit a nut-free diet.

Serving Suggestions

Side Dishes: Pair with fresh fruits like strawberries or raspberries.
Beverages: Enjoy with a cup of rich coffee or a glass of dessert wine.

Best Places

Café Savoy - A historically charming café with an exquisite selection of desserts. Location: Vítězná 124/5, Prague, Czech Republic.
Pasticceria Marchesi - Offers elegant and classic pastries in a beautiful setting. Location: Via Monte Napoleone, Milan, Italy.
L. Heiner Konditorei - Traditional Viennese café known for delightful cakes. Location: Wollzeile 9, Vienna, Austria.
Antico Caffè Greco - Historic coffee bar with rich desserts. Location: Via dei Condotti, Rome, Italy.
Angelina - Famed for its chocolat chaud and pastries. Location: 226 Rue de Rivoli, Paris, France.
Demel - Celebrated bakery with an imperial touch. Location: Kohlmarkt 14, Vienna, Austria.
Té Company - Specializes in Taiwanese tea and artisanal desserts. Location: 163 West 10th Street, New York, USA.
Café de Flore - Enjoy pastries in a historic Parisian café. Location: 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris, France.
Konditori - Offers coffee and Scandinavian pastries in a cozy setting. Location: 186 5th Avenue, New York, USA.
Ladurée - Renowned for macarons and exquisite French pastries. Location: 75 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, France.