Best 9 Chocolate Hazelnut Cake With Praline Chocolate Crunch Recipes

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Indulge in the decadence of a chocolate hazelnut cake adorned with a praline chocolate crunch, a harmonious symphony of flavors that will transport your taste buds to a realm of pure bliss. With its layers of moist chocolate sponge, creamy hazelnut filling, and a generous topping of praline chocolate crunch, this cake is a masterpiece that will leave you craving for more. As you embark on this culinary journey, let us guide you through the steps of creating this delectable treat, ensuring that each bite is an explosion of flavors that will tantalize your senses and leave you with an unforgettable experience.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

HAZELNUT CRUNCH CAKE WITH MASCARPONE AND CHOCOLATE



Hazelnut Crunch Cake with Mascarpone and Chocolate image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     dessert

Time 2h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 cup (about 4 1/2-ounces) hazelnuts, toasted and skinned
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
Two 8-ounce containers mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1 cup cream
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon orange zest

Steps:

  • For the cake:
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Butter and flour two 8-inch cake pans. Prepare the cake mix according to package instructions. Divide the batter between the 2 cake pans and bake according to package instructions. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
  • For the crunch:
  • Place the toasted nuts close together in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir the sugar mixture until dissolved. Bring to a boil and let cook until the sugar is light brown, about 8 minutes. Let the bubbles subside then pour the caramelized sugar over the nuts. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and let the sugar nut mixture cool until hard, about 30 minutes. When the sugar nut mixture is hard and cool, top with another piece of parchment paper and pound into small pieces, or place the sugar nut mixture on a cutting board and cut into small pieces. Set aside.
  • For the filling:
  • Put the mascarpone cheese, cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla into a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer whip the cream mixture to soft peaks. Fold the Crunch mixture into the whipped cream.
  • For the topping:
  • Place the chocolate, sugar and zest in a food processor. Process the mixture until the chocolate is finely ground.
  • To assemble the cake:
  • Put 1 cake on a serving plate. Top with 1-inch of the whipped cream crunch mixture. Top with the second layer of cake and continue frosting the entire cake with the remaining whipped cream crunch mixture. Sprinkle the top and sides of the cake with the ground chocolate. Serve.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CAKE WITH PRALINE CHOCOLATE CRUNCH



Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Praline Chocolate Crunch image

Provided by Elizabeth Falkner

Categories     Cake     Milk/Cream     Mixer     Chocolate     Egg     Dessert     Bake     Birthday     Hazelnut     Bon Appétit     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 29

Praline chocolate crunch:
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
Cocoa sponge cake:
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
Nut ganache:
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
Praline mousse:
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
Assembly:
Chocolate Glazeepi:recipelink
1/4 cup roasted hazelnuts

Steps:

  • For praline chocolate crunch:
  • Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Stir sugar and 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and cook without stirring, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides with a wet pastry brush, until amber in color, 7-8 minutes. Stir in hazelnuts, then pour onto 1 prepared sheet, separating nuts. Let cool.
  • Transfer candied nuts to a food processor. Add hazelnut oil and purée until smooth to make praline paste.
  • Combine both chocolates and 3 tablespoons praline paste in a medium metal bowl (reserve remaining praline paste for praline mousse layer). Set bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in salt, then cereal. Spread out in a thin layer (about 1/8") on second prepared baking sheet. Chill until set, about 30 minutes.DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled. Cover and chill remaining praline paste.
  • For cake:
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 17x11x1" sheet pan with parchment paper; butter paper. Sift flour and cocoa powder into a medium bowl and set aside. Separate 4 eggs, placing yolks in a large bowl and whites in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat yolks with 1/2 cup sugar on medium speed until thick and light yellow, about 3 minutes. Beat in 4 whole eggs, one at a time, blending well between additions.
  • Using clean, dry beaters, beat egg whites with remaining 1/2 cup sugar and corn syrup until slightly thickened and frothy, about 2 minutes. Add egg-white mixture to egg-yolk mixture and beat to blend. Add flour-cocoa powder mixture; fold just to blend. Spread out evenly on prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake until a tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely. Invert cake onto a large cutting board or baking sheet and peel off parchment. Brush cake all over with brandy. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
  • For nut ganache:
  • Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Purée hot cream, hazelnut butter, and salt in a food processor. Let cool to room temperature. With machine running, add butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, puréeing until smooth between additions. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Return to room temperature before using.
  • Praline Mousse:
  • Combine chocolate, praline paste, and butter in a medium bowl. Bring 3/4 cup cream to a boil in a small saucepan; pour over chocolate mixture. Let stand for 1 minute, then stir until melted and smooth. Beat remaining 1 cup chilled cream until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into chocolate mixture. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
  • Assembly:
  • Spread nut ganache over cake and chill in freezer until set, about 15 minutes. Spread mousse over ganache and chill in freezer until set, about 15 minutes. Cut cake crosswise into thirds; stack layers on top of each other. Trim edges, then spread Chocolate Glaze epi:recipelinkover top and sides of cake. Freeze until set, about 1 hour. Place in refrigerator and chill overnight. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Tent with foil and keep chilled.
  • Let cake stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Break up praline chocolate crunch into large shards and arrange on top of cake. Garnish with roasted hazelnuts.

CHOCOLATE & HAZELNUT PRALINE TART



Chocolate & hazelnut praline tart image

A pure, unadulterated chocolate hit, made extra-special with crunchy hazelnut praline

Provided by Barney Desmazery

Categories     Dessert, Treat

Time 1h

Yield Cuts into 10 slices

Number Of Ingredients 12

140g butter
100g golden caster sugar
225g plain flour
50g ground almond
1 egg , beaten
85g blanched hazelnut
50g golden caster sugar
200g dark chocolate (70% cocoa)
100g butter
splash Frangelico liqueur or brandy
1 egg
3 egg yolks

Steps:

  • Make the pastry. Cream together the butter and sugar, then add flour and almonds. Bring everything together with the egg. If the pastry is very soft, chill for 20 mins. If not, roll out to fit a deepish 23cm fluted flan tin; if the pastry breaks, press scraps of pastry into the gaps, leaving a slight overhang. Chill for 20 mins.
  • Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Line the case with baking parchment and baking beans, then bake for 10 mins. Remove beans and cook for another 10 mins until golden.
  • Meanwhile, toast the nuts in a dry pan until starting to brown. Scatter over 4 tbsp of sugar, cook until it caramelises, then tip nuts onto a baking tray lined with parchment. Leave to cool, then roughly chop. Over a pan of barely simmering water, melt the chocolate, butter and alcohol together, then set aside to cool slightly. Over the same pan, beat the egg, yolks and remaining sugar until pale and fluffy. Take off the heat, then fold in the chocolate mix.
  • When case is cooked, remove from oven and turn the heat down to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Scatter most of the hazelnuts over the base, then tip in the chocolate mix, pressing it down slightly. Cook the tart for 15-20 mins until the chocolate has almost set. Leave to cool, then serve scattered with the remaining nuts. Can be made up to 1 day ahead.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 582 calories, Fat 40 grams fat, SaturatedFat 18 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 50 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 29 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 9 grams protein, Sodium 0.43 milligram of sodium

HAZELNUT CAKE WITH PRALINE AND MILK CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



Hazelnut Cake with Praline and Milk Chocolate Buttercream Frosting image

This decadent hazelnut-chocolate layer cake from baker John Barricelli's "The SoNo Baking Company Cookbook" is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser: Serve for an elegant birthday dessert or showstopping end to any meal.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Yield Makes one 9-inch three-layer cake

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/4 cup whole hazelnuts
3/4 cup sugar
9 tablespoons cake flour
6 tablespoons cornstarch
3 large eggs, at room temperature
3 large egg yolks, at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon almond extract
3/4 cup vegetable oil
5 large egg whites
1 1/3 cups sugar
Pinch of coarse salt
1 pound unsalted butter, firm but not chilled, cut into cubes
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
8 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped
2 tablespoons Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder mixed with 2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup praline paste

Steps:

  • Place an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-3-inch round cake pan with vegetable spray. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone baking mat; set aside.
  • Make the sponge cake: Grind the hazelnuts in a food processor with 1/4 cup sugar. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, and hazelnut mixture; set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the whole eggs, the yolks, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, salt, and almond extract on high speed until thick and pale yellow in color, and mixture holds a thick ribbon when whisk is lifted from bowl, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove bowl from mixer; gently and quickly fold in flour mixture. Gradually drizzle in oil, while folding.
  • Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Set on prepared baking sheet, and bake until a tester comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and turn cake out immediately onto a wire rack. Let cool for at least 1 hour.
  • Make the buttercream: In the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over (but not touching) simmering water, whisk egg whites, sugar, and salt until warm to the touch, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer bowl to mixer fitted with whisk attachment and beat until stiff peaks form. With the mixer running, gradually beat in butter, piece by piece. When all the butter has been added, mixture will break but it will become smooth as you continue to beat. Beat in vanilla. Divide buttercream in half, returning one half to the mixer bowl to make the chocolate flavor and setting aside the remaining half for the praline buttercream.
  • Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water. Slowly beat into buttercream in mixer. Add cocoa mixture and beat until buttercream is cooled; set aside.
  • Using a small offset spatula, spread praline paste onto a clean work surface. Smooth paste with a spatula, working out any lumps. Add 1/2 cup reserved buttercream to praline paste and fold it into buttercream. Once the paste and buttercream are fully combined and there are no lumps, fold praline mixture into remaining reserved buttercream.
  • Using a serrated knife, trim top of cake to make level. Cut cake horizontally into even thirds. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate or lazy Susan. Place the first layer on the cake plate and top with a 1/3- to 1/2-inch layer of praline buttercream. Place second layer on top; top with remaining praline buttercream. Top with remaining layer.
  • Spread a thin layer of the chocolate buttercream over the tops and sides of the cake to cover, creating a "crumb" layer. Transfer to refrigerator for 15 minutes to set. Spread tops and sides of cake with remaining chocolate buttercream; serve.

CHOCOLATE AND HAZELNUT CRUNCH CAKE



Chocolate and Hazelnut Crunch Cake image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h55m

Number Of Ingredients 11

14 ounces of semisweet chocolate
1 ounce of bittersweet chocolate
3 eggs, separated
4 ounces sugar
1 3/4 cups of heavy cream
6 ounces Giandujia chocolate
3 ounces hazelnut paste
6 ounces royaltine chips
1/4 cups peanut oil
8 ounces couverture chocolate
8 ounces cocoa butter

Steps:

  • Combine both chocolates and melt them over a double boiler. Whisk the yolks and 1/2 of the sugar in a mixer equipped with a whisk, set aside at room temperature. In a separate bowl, whisk the whipping cream to the soft peak stage and set aside, refrigerated. Combine the 3 egg whites with the remaining sugar and whip to a soft peak stage. Pour the melted chocolate into the yolk and sugar mixture and whip at high speed until the mixture begins to pale and increase in volume. Fold in the whipped egg whites and then the whipped cream until smooth and homogenous. Pour into individual 3-inch diameter plastic round bottom (about 1/2 cup capacity) molds and freeze.
  • Combine and melt the Gandujia and the hazelnut paste over a double boiler until smooth. Set aside at room temperature. Add the royaltine chips and the peanut oil and fold into the chocolate mixture until smooth. While the mixture is still warm, spread it on a sheetpan in a 1/2-inch layer, evening the surface with the aid of an offset spatula. Refrigerate until solid and then cut into 3-inch circles and refrigerate. These circles will serve as the base for the mousse cakes.
  • Combine both of the ingredients over a double boiler and melt until smooth. Allow to cool to a warm stage and fill a container of an electric spray gun with the mixture. The spray gun should be new or has never been used for any purpose other than food.
  • To assemble cakes: Remove the crunchy 3-inch discs from the refrigerator and place on plates. Remove mousse molds and unmold on top of the disc. These should be kept frozen until ready to spray with the chocolate mist. Remove mousse cakes from the freezer and spray the chocolate domes liberally to create a velour type finish, while still frozen. Refrigerate until set. Serve the mousse cakes with chocolate sauce and chocolate decorations of your choice.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH HAZELNUT PRALINE



Devil's Food Cake With Hazelnut Praline image

The best thing about chocolate cake is that it doesn't really need a specific season or, arguably, a specific reason to be made. The malted cream and hazelnut praline make this cake what you could call "pure joy" in dessert form. You'll make more smooth praline than you need; keep any extra in a jar in the fridge to spread onto toast, or to mix with cocoa powder for a Nutella-esque experience. You surely won't regret it.

Provided by Yotam Ottolenghi

Categories     cakes

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

5 1/3 ounces/150 grams sunflower oil (by weight not by volume), plus more for greasing the pan
3/4 cup/75 grams unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups/192 grams all-purpose flour (plain flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup/200 grams superfine sugar (caster sugar) or granulated sugar
1/2 lightly packed cup/100 grams dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon/150 grams plain kefir (or buttermilk)
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons/220 grams very hot coffee, plus 1 tablespoon/14 grams at room temperature, for brushing
1 1/2 cups/200 grams blanched hazelnuts
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons/180 grams superfine sugar (caster sugar) or granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups/300 grams cold heavy cream (double cream)
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon/95 grams mascarpone
2 tablespoons malted milk powder, such as Horlick's
1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons/30 grams confectioners' sugar (icing sugar)
Tiny pinch of salt

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (nonfan)/375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line the bottom of 2 (20-centimeter/8-inch) cake pans (tins) with a removable base with parchment paper and grease the sides. Alternatively, grease the bottoms and sides of 2 (20-centimeter/8-inch) regular cake pans, line with parchment, and grease the parchment.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugars. In a separate bowl, add the oil, eggs and kefir, and whisk just to combine. Add to the dry mixture and use a spatula to gently fold through. Add the 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons/220 grams hot coffee and mix gently to combine. It'll look very runny at first, but will soon come together into a glossy, pourable batter.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans, about 21 ounces/600 grams per pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Set aside to cool for about 30 minutes, then slide a butter knife along the sides to help release the cake. Brush the tops lightly with the remaining 1 tablespoon/14 grams extra coffee (discard any extra).
  • Invert one cake onto a board, remove the parchment, then invert it again onto a cake stand or the platter you intend to serve it on (domed side up now). Invert the other cake onto a board (don't remove the paper). Invert it again, onto a plate, so that it's paper side down. (This will help prevent it from sticking.) Set both cakes aside to cool completely.
  • Make the praline: With the oven still at 200 degrees Celsius/375 degrees Fahrenheit, spread the hazelnuts onto a parchment-lined medium baking sheet (tray) and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until deeply golden, shaking the pan halfway through baking. Set aside, keeping the tray and parchment paper. You'll use them again later.
  • Place a large saucepan over a medium-high heat and, once quite hot, sprinkle in a third of the caster sugar to cover the base. It should immediately start to melt at the sides but not brown too quickly. Swirl the sugar in the pan a little, then add another third of the sugar, allowing it to melt a little before adding the remaining third. Turn the heat down to medium and cook until the sugar is an amber caramel, stirring with a spatula just a couple times (but not much more). Add the hazelnuts and 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring to coat, then quickly transfer the mixture to your parchment-lined tray and leave to cool completely.
  • Once cool, roughly break apart the praline and add it to a food processor. Pulse a few times until you have very coarse crumbs, then measure out about 1/2 cup/75 grams of the mixture and transfer to a bowl. Blitz the remaining mixture in the food processor for about 5 minutes or until it turns into the consistency of a smooth nut butter, stopping to scrape the inside of the bowl as necessary. Transfer this to a separate bowl.
  • Make the mascarpone cream: Add all the ingredients to a stand mixer and beat on medium-high speed for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until you have medium peaks. Refrigerate if not assembling right away (you want it nice and cold).
  • When ready to assemble, top the cake on your cake stand with half the cream mixture. Spoon over about 2 tablespoons of the smooth praline and gently swirl it through the cream with your spatula. Top with another 2 tablespoons of the praline, this time without swirling. Sprinkle with half the praline crumble. Carefully invert the other cake on top now, removing the paper. Top with the remaining cream and repeat the same process with the smooth praline and praline crumble. Serve right away, or refrigerate overnight to firm up the cream before serving. (The cake will keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.)

HAZELNUT PRALINE



Hazelnut Praline image

Use this topping when making our Rich Chocolate Heart Cakes.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Yield Makes about 1 cup

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 cup (5 ounces) hazelnuts
Canola oil, for pan
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees with rack in center. Spread nuts on a rimmed baking sheet, and toast them in the oven until they are fragrant, about 8 minutes. Transfer nuts to a clean kitchen towel, and rub nuts in towel vigorously between your hands to remove the brown skins. Lightly brush an 8-by-12-inch rimmed baking pan with the oil. Spread the peeled nuts in the pan.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, brushing down sides of pan with a damp pastry brush to remove any sugar crystals that may form, until mixture is amber, about 9 minutes; do not stir. (Pan may be swirled gently about halfway through to incorporate any uncooked sugar.) Pour directly over nuts to create a thin layer. Set aside to cool, at least 30 minutes.
  • Place half the praline in the bowl of a food processor; process until the praline is very fine with no sharp pieces. Cut the remaining praline into small pieces for decoration.

RICH HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE CAKE



Rich Hazelnut Chocolate Cake image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Categories     dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield Ten servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces, plus additional for greasing pan
Flour for coating pan
8 ounces Callebaut bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
8 eggs, separated
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skinned and ground
1 tablespoon hazelnut liqueur
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour a 10-inch springform pan. Place butter and chocolate in a bowl over barely simmering water until melted, stirring often. Whisk egg yolks with 3/4 cup of sugar. Whisk in the chocolate mixture, hazelnuts and liqueur.
  • Using an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining sugar and whip to firm peaks. Stir 1/3 of the whites into the chocolate mixture. Fold in the remaining whites. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out slightly moist, about 55 minutes. Let cool; cake will fall. Remove the sides of the pan and sift confectioners' sugar over the top. Cut into wedges and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 496, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 44 grams, Fat 35 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 17 grams, Sodium 54 milligrams, Sugar 40 grams, TransFat 1 gram

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH MASCARPONE AND PRALINE



Chocolate Cake with Mascarpone and Praline image

Categories     Cake     Chocolate     Nut     Dessert     Bake     Vegetarian     Almond     Hazelnut     Gourmet

Number Of Ingredients 18

For praline
1/2 cup whole blanched almonds
1/2 cup hazelnuts
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
For cake
3 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 large egg
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup well-shaken buttermilk
8 ounces mascarpone cheese (about 1 cup) at room temperature
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

Steps:

  • Make praline:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In a baking pan toast nuts in one layer in middle of oven 10 minutes, or until almonds are lightly colored and hazelnut skins are blistered. Wrap nuts in a kitchen towel and let steam 1 minute. Rub nuts in towel to remove any loose hazelnut skins (do not worry about skins that do not come off) and cool completely.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil. In a small heavy saucepan bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil syrup, without stirring, washing down any sugar crystals that cling to side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water, until it begins to turn golden. Swirl pan until syrup is deep golden and remove from heat. Stir in nuts and pour praline onto baking sheet, spreading evenly. Cool praline completely and break into pieces. Transfer praline to a sealable plastic bag and with a rolling pin coarsely crush.
  • Make cake:
  • Preheat oven to 300°F. Generously butter a 9-inch round cake pan (at least 2 inches deep) and line bottom with wax or parchment paper. Butter paper and dust pan with flour, knocking out excess.
  • Finely chop chocolate. In a small saucepan combine cocoa powder, butter, oil, and water. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring until smooth, and remove pan from heat. Add chocolate and sugar, whisking until smooth, and transfer to a bowl. Cool chocolate mixture completely and whisk in egg. Sift flour and baking powder over chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined. Whisk in buttermilk and pour batter into cake pan, spreading evenly. Bake cake in middle of oven 45 to 50 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean, and cool in pan on a rack 5 minutes. Run a thin knife around edge of pan and invert cake onto rack. Discard paper. Cool cake completely and transfer to a plate. In a bowl stir together mascarpone and sugar. Spread mixture over top of cake and generously sprinkle with praline.

Tips:

  • Use good quality chocolate and hazelnuts for the best flavor.
  • Toast the hazelnuts before using them to enhance their flavor.
  • Be careful not to over-mix the batter, as this can result in a tough cake.
  • Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it.
  • If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a spoon to spread the frosting on the cake.
  • Garnish the cake with additional chopped hazelnuts or chocolate shavings, if desired.
  • Enjoy the cake within a few days of baking.

Conclusion:

This chocolate hazelnut cake with praline chocolate crunch is a delicious and decadent dessert that is perfect for any occasion. The cake is moist and flavorful, with a rich chocolate flavor and a crunchy hazelnut topping. The praline chocolate crunch adds a touch of sweetness and texture, making this cake irresistible. If you are looking for a special dessert to impress your friends and family, this cake is sure to do the trick.

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