Il Cucinologo
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Chocolate and Hazelnut Cake

17/11/2023

With pleasure! The chocolate and hazelnut cake is a classic rich and indulgent dessert, highly appreciated for its combination of flavors. While providing you with the basic recipe, I will also suggest an all-Italian touch, for example, the use of IGP Piedmont hazelnuts, which are famous for their unique flavor.

Ingredients

  • 200g high-quality dark chocolate
  • 150g toasted and chopped hazelnuts (preferably IGP from Piedmont)
  • 150g butter
  • 150g sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 100g flour
  • 1 packet baking powder
  • 1 pinch of salt

Preparation

  1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 °C (160 °C if fan-assisted) and prepare a cake pan by buttering and flouring it, or lining it with parchment paper.

  2. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, being careful not to burn it. Let it cool slightly.

  3. Meanwhile, beat the softened butter with the sugar until you obtain a light and fluffy mixture.

  4. Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Add the yolks, one at a time, to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition.

  5. Incorporate the melted chocolate into the mixture.

  6. Add the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing gently with upward motions to avoid deflating the mixture.

  7. Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks and fold them into the batter, stirring carefully.

  8. Finally, add the toasted and chopped hazelnuts to the mixture and stir until evenly distributed.

  9. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

  10. Let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes, then remove it from the pan and allow it to cool completely before serving.

Curiosities

In Piedmont, the heart of the Langhe region, IGP hazelnuts are such a precious ingredient that they star in numerous recipes: from desserts to ice creams, from after-dinner treats to aperitifs. The “Tonda Gentile Trilobata” variety is particularly renowned for the finesse of its flavor and its crunchiness. Incorporating this product into the chocolate cake enriches the dessert with exceptional taste and quality, making the sensory experience even more enjoyable.

Chocolate and hazelnut cake