Best 8 Dark Chocolate Walnut Layer Cake Recipes

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Indulge in the symphony of flavors with the dark chocolate walnut layer cake, a taste of heaven in every bite! This delectable creation combines the richness of dark chocolate with the crunch of toasted walnuts, forming an unforgettable symphony of taste that will tantalize your senses. Each layer of this heavenly cake is a testament to culinary excellence, making it the perfect centerpiece for any occasion. Let's embark on a journey where we unravel the secrets behind this extraordinary dessert, exploring the ingredients, techniques, and artistry that transform humble elements into a masterpiece of taste and texture.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHOCOLATE WALNUT CAKE



Chocolate Walnut Cake image

Rich chocolate cake with fudgy chocolate frosting and crunchy walnuts. If you're craving chocolate, you need to try this cake!

Provided by Krystle Smith

Categories     Dessert

Number Of Ingredients 27

4 Cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
4 Teaspoons Baking Powder
4 Teaspoons Baking Soda
2 Teaspoons Salt
4 Cups Water
4 Cups White Sugar
10 Ounces Dark Chocolate (Roughly Chopped)
12 Tablespoons Butter (Softened)
4 Tablespoons Canola Oil
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
4 Eggs
2 Cups Walnuts (Roughly Chopped)
1 1/2 Cups Butter (Softened)
3 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla extract
4 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
3/4 Cup Butter (Softened)
4 Ounces Cream Cheese (Softened)
1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
3 Cups Powder Sugar
4 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
2 Cups Walnuts (Roughly Chopped)
1 1/2 Cups Mini Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream

Steps:

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray (3) 9 inch cake pans with Pam baking spray.
  • In a medium kettle, combine water and sugar. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 minute.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in the dark chocolate and butter until melted. Add in oil and vanilla.
  • Cool slightly and whisk in eggs one at a time. Then stir in cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Gradually stir in flour a little at a time until just combined. Do not over mix.
  • Fold in walnuts.
  • Evenly divide batter between prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla. Stir in powdered sugar a little at a time. Add heavy cream as needed to reach your desired consistency.
  • In a large bowl combine butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Stir in cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt.Add powdered sugar a little at a time, adding heavy cream as needed.
  • In a small bowl, combine walnuts and chocolate chips.
  • In a small kettle , heat up the heavy whipping cream until steaming. Pour over chocolate chips. Allow to stand for 1 minute before whisking until smooth
  • Frost the first cake layer with around 1 cup of frosting.
  • Place the second cake layer on top, and repeat.
  • Top with the final cake layer.
  • Spread chocolate frosting over the top and down the sides of the top layer.
  • Coat the bottom of the cake with the walnut/chocolate chip mix
  • Drip ganache down the sides of the cake by using a squeeze bottle.
  • Pipe dollops of chocolate frosting on top using a star tip.
  • Sprinkle with remaining walnut and chocolate chips.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1366 kcal, Carbohydrate 151 g, Protein 14 g, Fat 83 g, SaturatedFat 39 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 164 mg, Sodium 971 mg, Fiber 7 g, Sugar 114 g, ServingSize 1 serving

BLACK WALNUT LAYER CAKE



Black Walnut Layer Cake image

My sister gave me the recipe for this beautiful cake years ago. The thin layer of frosting spread on the outside gives it a chic modern look. -Lynn Glaze, Warren, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs, room temperature
3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
1-1/4 cups finely chopped black or English walnuts
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 to 3 tablespoons buttermilk
Additional black walnuts
Thin orange slices, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 3 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment., Cream butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add vanilla and eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating after each addition. Fold in walnuts., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., For frosting, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and enough buttermilk to reach spreading consistency., Spread 1 cup frosting between cake layers. Spread top of cake with an additional 1 cup frosting. Spread remaining frosting in a thin layer over side of cake. Top with additional walnuts and, if desired, orange slices.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630 calories, Fat 30g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 92mg cholesterol, Sodium 432mg sodium, Carbohydrate 84g carbohydrate (60g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 9g protein.

DARK CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE



Dark Chocolate Layer Cake image

-David Heppner, Brandon, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
1-1/2 cups brewed coffee, cooled
3 eggs
3/4 cup canola oil
3 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/4 teaspoon salt
FROSTING:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
16 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup butter

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat the sugar, buttermilk, coffee, eggs, oil, chocolate and vanilla until well blended. In another large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into buttermilk mixture until blended., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, combine the cream, sugar and corn syrup in a small saucepan. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate and butter until melted. , Transfer to a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate until desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 816 calories, Fat 41g fat (17g saturated fat), Cholesterol 93mg cholesterol, Sodium 569mg sodium, Carbohydrate 112g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 11g fiber), Protein 11g protein.

CHOCOLATE WALNUT CAKE



Chocolate Walnut Cake image

This is a delicious chocolate cake, lightly spiced with cinnamon and allspice, and flecked with walnuts. Decorate with chocolate frosting.

Provided by Megan

Categories     Desserts     Nut Dessert Recipes     Walnut Dessert Recipes

Time 1h30m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ cup shortening
1 ½ cups white sugar
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
1 cup chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and allspice. Set aside.
  • In the top of a double boiler, heat chocolate, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm.
  • In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk. Stir in walnuts.
  • In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then quickly fold in remaining whites until no streaks remain. Pour batter into prepared pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 340.8 calories, Carbohydrate 44.5 g, Cholesterol 69.9 mg, Fat 17.6 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 6.1 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 98.1 mg, Sugar 26.4 g

CHOCOLATE WALNUT LAYER CAKE



Chocolate Walnut Layer Cake image

This is the kind of cake you start out making for a special occasion and end up making it more often. It is a surprisingly easy and wonderfully nutty chocolate layer cake with chocolate frosting. The walnuts play the important role of offering light, rich flavor against the tartness of the chocolate frosting. Topping the cake with walnut and candied oranges gives it crunch and color. Beautiful. Elegant. Delicious.

Provided by Fisher Nuts

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h1m

Yield 12 , 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
1 1/4 cups (5 oz.) Fisher® Walnut Halves and Pieces, divided
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons instant coffee
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/3 cups hot water
1 medium orange
2 cups sugar
4 whole cloves
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 teaspoon dark cocoa
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/3 cups confectioner's sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease the bottom and sides of the cake pans liberally with nonstick spray.
  • Prepare the cake batter: Combine the eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on high speed until light and lemon-colored, 5-8 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the mayonnaise and water together in a medium bowl; set aside. Finely chop 1/2 cup walnuts and combine with the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, coffee and salt in a medium bowl. Stir 1/2 of the flour mixture and 1/2 of the mayonnaise mixture into the eggs with the mixer on low until well blended. Do not over mix. The less you mix flour, the more tender the cake! Scrape down the bowl and repeat with the remaining flour and mayonnaise mixtures.
  • Bake the cake: Fill each cake pan with 1/3 of the batter. Place the pans in the center of the oven. Rotate the pans halfway through cooking. Bake until the center is firm or when the tip of a small knife emerges clean when it pierces the center of each cake, about 16 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 1/2 hour before unmolding. Cool completely before frosting.
  • Candy the oranges: Cut the orange in half lengthwise (from the stem to navel ends). Continue cutting the orange pieces in half lengthwise until you have 16 wedges. Place the orange wedges in a skillet and fill with enough cold water to cover. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Drain the water and repeat this step to make the peels tender and remove bitterness. Gently remove the wedges from the pan and set aside. Place the sugar, 2 cups water, the cloves and the orange peels into the skillet. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and return the orange wedges to the skillet. Continue cooking over low heat until the syrup thickens and the wedges become translucent, about 45 to 60 minutes. Transfer the wedges to a baking sheet to cool.
  • Make the frosting: Place the chocolate in a medium bowl and the cream in a small pot to warm over medium heat. When the cream simmers, pour it over the chocolate and let it sit for a few minutes, then whisk gently until the chocolate blends with the cream. Cool completely. Blend the confectioner's sugar, butter and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor until smooth, 5-8 minutes. Stir the cooled chocolate into the butter and sugar mixture until smooth.
  • Frost the cake: Chop 1 cup of walnuts; set aside. Place one cake round, top side down, onto a serving platter. Top with 1/4 of the frosting letting some of it spill over the top to coat the sides. Sprinkle ¼ cup of the walnuts on top of the frosting. Repeat with the next cake layer. Place the final layer on top of the other two, bottom side up, then coat the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Top with the remaining 1/4 cup of walnuts and the candied orange wedges.
  • Note: Prepare the cake using a cake mix with 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts added to the batter before baking in place of the scratch cake, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 540.9, Fat 22.8, SaturatedFat 13.7, Cholesterol 88.9, Sodium 217.3, Carbohydrate 86.1, Fiber 5.3, Sugar 59.7, Protein 7.5

DARK CHOCOLATE WALNUT LAYER CAKE



Dark Chocolate Walnut Layer Cake image

Categories     Chocolate     Dairy     Dessert     Bake     Walnut     Bon Appétit

Yield Serves 10 to 12

Number Of Ingredients 17

CAKE
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup packed golden brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
ICING
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons (about) hot milk
1 cup chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • FOR CAKE:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line with waxed paper. Stir chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until melted. Cool.
  • Sift flour and baking soda into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until creamy. Add both sugars and beat until fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in vanilla, then melted chocolate. Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk in 2 additions each, beating just until blended after each addition. Mix in walnuts.
  • Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 20 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks.
  • FOR ICING:
  • Stir chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until melted. Remove from over water. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until smooth. Beat in 2 tablespoons milk. Beat in chocolate. Thin with milk to spreading consistency.
  • Cut around pan sides. Turn out cakes; peel off paper. Place 1 cake layer flat side down on platter. Spread 1 cup icing over. Top with second cake layer, flat side up. Spread remaining icing over cake. Press nuts onto sides of cake. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and store at room temperature.)

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH DARK CHOCOLATE FROSTING



Chocolate Layer Cake with Dark Chocolate Frosting image

Categories     Cake     Chocolate     Side     Bake

Yield makes 1 8-inch layer cake

Number Of Ingredients 22

2 1/2 cups Basic Gluten-Free Flour Mix (page 19)
1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons double-acting baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon Ener-G egg replacer mixed with 1/4 cup rice milk
1 1/4 cups rice milk
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 recipe Dark Chocolate Frosting (recipe follows)
Dark Chocolate Frosting
1 (10-ounce) bag Enjoy Life semisweet chocolate chips (1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup boiling water
1 cup dairy-free, soy-free vegetable shortening
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon rice milk
(makes enough to frost 1 8-inch layer cake)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans, line with cutout parchment paper, grease again, and dust with a little cocoa powder.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whisk together the flour mix, cocoa powder, xanthan gum, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  • Add the egg replacer, rice milk, canola oil, vanilla, and warm water and beat on medium-low speed until smooth, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.
  • Bake in the center of the oven for about 45 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. Bake until the cake is pulling away slightly from the sides of the pans and a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  • Let cool in the pans on a cooling rack for 30 minutes. Cover the cake pan with a large plate, flip, peel off the parchment paper, and flip the cake back onto the rack, right side up, to cool completely. Repeat with the other cake.
  • Once the cakes have cooled completely, you may use a serrated knife to trim the tops to make them level. Frost with Dark Chocolate Frosting (or Vanilla Frosting, page 93, or Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, page 91). Once the frosting sets, store covered.
  • Dark Chocolate Frosting
  • Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave, stopping to stir every 30 seconds. It will take about 2 minutes to melt them. Stir until smooth, about 1 minute. Let cool to room temperature.
  • Combine the cocoa powder and boiling water in a small bowl, stirring until smooth and the cocoa has dissolved completely.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the shortening, confectioners' sugar, salt, and rice milk, beating on medium speed for about 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
  • Add the melted chocolate and beat on low speed for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the cocoa mixture, and beat for about 1 more minute, or until combined.

WALNUT OVERLOAD, DARK CHOCOLATE & COCONUT CAKE



Walnut Overload, Dark Chocolate & Coconut Cake image

A four layer, dark cocoa, walnuts & coconut cake with the smoothest chocolate cream cheese icing you've ever tasted. ------ My wife made this recipe by combining my Italian Cream Cake recipe with the chocolate cake recipe off the back of the Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa can. In addition to cocoa, she added butter and Cool Whip to the frosting... resulting in a uniquely creamy icing. The resulting combo is the best chocolate cake I've ever had. ------ With all the walnuts and coconut, best to use a serrated edge knife to cut it.

Provided by Ron Mauldin

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h25m

Yield 24 slices, 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 22

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup bertolli extra light tasting olive oil
2 cups sugar
5 large eggs, separated
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup hershey's special dark cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon vanilla
10 ounces flaked coconut (about 3 cups)
3 cups walnuts, broken into large pieces
1 cup boiling water
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 lbs powdered sugar (about 5 cups powdered sugar)
2/3 cup hershey's special dark cocoa
6 tablespoons whole milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 cup whipped topping
2 1/4 cups chopped walnuts
4 ounces flaked coconut (about 1.5 cups)

Steps:

  • Cake Directions:.
  • Cream butter and oil. Add sugar, beat until mixture is smooth. Add egg yolks and beat.
  • Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda: add to creamed mixture, alternately with buttermilk. Stir in vanilla, coconut, and walnuts.
  • Add 1 cup boiling water ( stir).
  • Then Stiffly beat egg whites in separate bowl and immediately fold into cake batter.
  • Pour batter into four(4) well-greased 9 inch round baking pans and pat chunky mixture to where it is thicker toward the edges of the pans.
  • Bake at 300°F (149°C) until toothpick comes out clean (for around 50-55 minutes).
  • Cream Cheese Icing Directions:.
  • Beat cream cheese until smooth.
  • In separate bowl, combine sugar, very soft butter and vanilla,cocoa, whole milk ; mix well. Add whipping topping mix well.
  • Add to cream cheese and beat until smooth. ( If icing is too soft, add a bit more cocoa and sugar powder. If icing is too hard, add more whipped topping. Be careful when adding whipped topping. ).
  • Cool each layer on cake racks. Put a dollop of icing on a large (12") plate before the first layer. Top each layer first with an ample amount of icing and then sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped walnuts. Frost sides with ample icing and then make a 1 inch icing skirt with remainder. (If icing is too thin to stay on the sided of the layers, cool both cake and icing in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes and try again.) Pat small amounts of the coconut into the sides and a little will naturally fall onto the skirt. Sprinkle the skirt with 1/4 cup chopped walnuts.
  • Store in refrigerator. With all the walnuts, it cuts easiest with a bread knife. Enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 745, Fat 46.7, SaturatedFat 19, Cholesterol 97.1, Sodium 231.1, Carbohydrate 77.1, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 62.6, Protein 9.7

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start baking, measure and prep all of your ingredients. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don't miss anything.
  • Use High-Quality Ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the cake will taste. Use high-quality chocolate, butter, and flour.
  • Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the batter can make the cake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the Cakes at the Right Temperature: The temperature of your oven can affect the texture of the cake. Bake the cakes at the temperature specified in the recipe.
  • Let the Cakes Cool Completely: Before you frost the cakes, let them cool completely. This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • Use a Piping Bag to Frost the Cakes: A piping bag will help you to create a smooth, even frosting.
  • Decorate the Cakes with Your Favorite Toppings: You can decorate the cakes with chocolate chips, walnuts, or any other toppings you like.

Conclusion:

This dark chocolate walnut layer cake is a delicious and decadent dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its rich chocolate flavor, moist texture, and crunchy walnuts, this cake is sure to be a hit. Follow the tips above to make sure your cake turns out perfect.

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