Dive into the indulgent world of our Hazelnut Mocha Layer Cake, a rich and moist dessert that marries the deep, robust flavors of coffee and cocoa with the crunchy, nutty goodness of toasted hazelnuts. Covered in a luscious chocolate ganache, this cake offers a luxurious texture and complex flavor profile, making it a perfect choice for any special occasion or as a sumptuous treat to enjoy any day of the week.
Why You'll Love This: This cake is a chocolate and coffee lover's dream, featuring a moist, tender crumb that's enhanced by the addition of buttermilk and sour cream, ensuring each bite is rich and satisfying. The toasted hazelnuts not only add a delightful crunch but also intensify the cake's flavor, creating a harmonious blend with the mocha notes. The silky smooth chocolate ganache adds a final touch of decadence that makes this cake irresistibly appealing.
Perfect Occasion: This Hazelnut Mocha Layer Cake is ideally suited for celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, and holiday gatherings. It's also an excellent choice for coffee breaks, high tea events, or as a sophisticated dessert for dinner parties. The elegant presentation and exquisite flavors make it a standout dessert that's sure to impress your guests.
Decoration Tips:
- Enhance the cake's appearance by dusting the top with a light sprinkle of cocoa powder or edible gold dust for a touch of elegance.
- Garnish with whole hazelnuts, either caramelized or gold-leafed, for an upscale finish.
- Create a border around the top edge of the cake with piped chocolate ganache rosettes or stars.
- Serve each slice with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of hazelnut gelato to complement the rich flavors.
For the Cake:
- Granulated sugar: 1 ½ cups
- Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons
- Kosher salt: ½ teaspoon
- Eggs: 3
- Dutch-processed cocoa powder: ⅔ cup
- Vegetable oil: ⅔ cup
- Sour cream: ⅔ cup
- Buttermilk: ⅔ cup
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups
- Baking powder: 2 teaspoons
- Baking soda: ½ teaspoon
- Hot coffee: 1 cup
- Toasted and chopped hazelnuts: 1 cup
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- Dark chocolate: 2.5 ounces
- Heavy cream: 2.5 ounces
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line two 8-inch baking pans with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, sour cream, salt, sugar, and oil. Sift in the cocoa powder and mix until smooth.
- Add flour, baking powder, and baking soda, stirring until nearly smooth.
- Fold in chopped hazelnuts and hot coffee until just combined. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool.
- Make the Ganache:
- Chop the chocolate and place in a large bowl. Heat cream until simmering and pour over chocolate.
- Let sit for 10 minutes, then stir until smooth and silky.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Place a dollop of ganache on your cake plate to anchor the first layer.
- Set the first cake layer on the plate, spread with half of the ganache, and sprinkle generously with hazelnuts.
- Top with the second cake layer, spread remaining ganache, and sprinkle with more hazelnuts.
Enjoy this luxurious Hazelnut Mocha Layer Cake, a dessert that promises to deliver both flavor and flair!