Introduction
Welcome to our delightful guide for creating a decadent “Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Praline Chocolate Crunch.” This recipe promises a symphony of flavors, combining the richness of hazelnuts and chocolate with a praline crunch that tantalizes the palate.
Tips for this Recipe
To achieve perfection in your Chocolate Hazelnut Cake, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before beginning. Preheat your oven and prepare pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
The blend of textures, from the moist cake base to the crunchy praline layer, makes this Chocolate Hazelnut Cake an irresistible dessert. The use of quality ingredients like 72% dark chocolate elevates the experience, ensuring every bite is indulgent.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups blanched hazelnuts, toasted
- 1 teaspoon hazelnut or vegetable oil
- 4 ounces dark chocolate (do not exceed 72% cacao), chopped
- 4 ounces high-quality milk chocolate (such as Lindt or Scharffen Berger), chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 3/4 cups puffed rice cereal or crushed cornflakes
- Unsalted butter (for parchment paper)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1/2 cup brandy or orange liqueur
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup hazelnut butter (or ground roasted hazelnuts)
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 1/2 ounces dark chocolate (do not exceed 72% cacao), chopped
- 1 cup hazelnut praline paste (reserved from praline chocolate crunch)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, cubed
- 1 3/4 cups chilled heavy cream, divided
- Chocolate Glazeepi
- 1/4 cup roasted hazelnuts
Advised Equipment
- Stand Mixer: Essential for mixing ingredients efficiently, particularly important for dough preparation and achieving smooth textures in baking.
- High-Speed Blender: Useful for crushing nuts or blending praline ingredients to the desired consistency.
- Electric Mixer: Handy for whipping cream or other components that require air incorporation.
- Digital Scale: Ensures precise measurements for ingredients, which is crucial in baking.
- Silicone Spatula: For scraping bowls and mixing ingredients.
- Cooling Rack: Useful for cooling the cake evenly to prevent sogginess from condensation.
- Parchment Paper: Useful for lining baking pans to easily remove cakes after cooling.
- Cake Pan: A standard 9-inch round or square pan would be suitable for this recipe size.
History of the Recipe
The Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Praline Crunch is inspired by traditional European baking, where chocolate and nuts have long been cherished. This recipe takes a nod to classic desserts while infusing modern techniques for an elevated treat that pays homage to its roots.
Fun Facts About this Recipe
Did you know? The praline component in our recipe dates back to the 18th century. This cake’s combination of flavors harks back to a time when hazelnut was a luxurious ingredient, making this dessert not just a treat but also an homage to culinary history.