Decadent Chocolate Hazelnut Cake: An Easy, Gluten-Free Recipe for Any Occasion

Indulge in this rich, fudgy Chocolate Hazelnut Cake, bursting with deep chocolate and toasted hazelnut flavors. If you’re a fan of Nutella, this incredible dessert will captivate your taste buds and is absolutely perfect for special celebrations or a luxurious everyday treat.

The first time I encountered this truly delicious cake was years ago, watching a culinary show on the Food Network. Anything that proudly features “hazelnut” in its name instantly grabs my attention, compelling me to try it. This particular Chocolate Hazelnut Cake offers a profound richness and a delightful texture that distinctively reminds me of a Gooey Brownie Pie, but with the added sophistication and depth that only toasted hazelnuts can provide.

Speaking of the irresistible allure of hazelnuts, I always make sure to have a few hazelnut-infused treats on hand. During the warm summer months, my go-to is often a batch of refreshing Nutella No-Bake Bars – they’re quick, easy, and satisfying. And if you’ve somehow managed to go through life without experiencing the sheer joy of Nutella Donuts, you absolutely must add them to your culinary bucket list. There’s nothing quite like biting into warm, fluffy donuts generously filled with creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread. That is, nothing beats them, except perhaps for this magnificent cake!

Why This Chocolate Hazelnut Cake Recipe Works Wonders

This isn’t just another cake; it’s an experience. Here’s why this Chocolate Hazelnut Cake will quickly become a cherished recipe in your collection:

• Unrivaled Richness and Decadence: Prepare yourself for a dessert that is dense, deeply chocolatey, and incredibly satisfying. Each bite tastes like a sophisticated, fudgy hazelnut brownie, elevated to cake form. The combination of rich chocolate and fragrant hazelnuts creates a luxurious profile that’s truly unforgettable.
• Remarkably Quick Prep Time: Despite its impressive appearance and complex flavor, this cake requires surprisingly little effort. You only need about 10 minutes of active prep time to get this delightful treat ready for the oven, making it ideal even for busy schedules.
• The Ultimate Dessert for Entertaining: Looking to impress guests? This cake is a showstopper. Its elegant presentation and exquisite flavor make it the perfect grand finale for dinner parties, holidays, or any special gathering. Your friends and family will be begging for the recipe!
• Irresistible Crackly Top: As this cake bakes, it develops a beautiful, slightly crackly top crust that is simply divine. This unique texture adds another layer of sensory pleasure to every slice, contrasting wonderfully with the soft, fudgy interior.
• Naturally Gluten-Free: For those avoiding gluten, this recipe is a fantastic find. It’s naturally gluten-free thanks to the use of ground hazelnuts and almond flour, making it an inclusive dessert that everyone can enjoy without compromise on flavor or texture.

Essential Ingredients for Your Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

Crafting this exquisite cake begins with a selection of high-quality ingredients. Each plays a crucial role in achieving its signature flavor and texture:

• Hazelnuts: The true star of this dessert! Ground hazelnuts not only impart an incredible, warm nutty flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate but also contribute to the cake’s unique, dense structure. Toasting them beforehand is key to unlocking their full aromatic potential.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These provide the rich, deep chocolate foundation of the cake. When melted, they create a wonderfully gooey and fudgy element that makes this dessert so irresistible. You can adjust the chocolate intensity by choosing chips with a higher or lower cocoa percentage.
• Almond Flour: This provides additional structure to the cake while keeping it gluten-free. It also contributes a subtle, delicate almond flavor that harmonizes beautifully with the hazelnuts and chocolate, enhancing the overall complexity of the dessert.
• Granulated Sugar: Beyond sweetness, sugar plays an essential role in the texture of this cake. When ground and melted with the chocolate, it creates a smooth, glossy paste that is foundational to the cake’s fudgy consistency.
• Eggs: Eggs are vital for both structure and richness. They act as a binder, helping all the ingredients coalesce into a cohesive batter, and contribute to the cake’s luxurious, moist crumb.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter is essential for adding a rich, indulgent flavor and a tender texture to the cake. It makes the final product incredibly satisfying and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content precisely.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of fragrant vanilla extract isn’t just for flavor; it’s a critical enhancer. It beautifully amplifies and rounds out the complex notes of both the hazelnut and chocolate, making the overall flavor profile more vibrant and cohesive.
• Hot Water: Hot water is ingeniously used to melt the chocolate and sugar together, transforming them into a smooth, glossy chocolate paste. This technique helps to create the cake’s dense, fudgy consistency, ensuring even distribution of chocolate flavor throughout the batter.

Mastering Hazelnuts: Roasting and Skinning for Optimal Flavor

The humble hazelnut is undoubtedly the star of this show, and preparing them correctly is crucial for maximizing their flavor. Whether you start with fresh, in-shell hazelnuts or pre-shelled ones, a little preparation goes a long way. While buying them shelled is certainly more convenient, if you have fresh hazelnuts at home, remember to remove their hard outer shells before proceeding.

To achieve perfectly toasted hazelnuts:

1. Arrange for Roasting: Spread the shelled nuts evenly in a single layer on a clean baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding, as this can lead to uneven toasting.
2. Bake to Perfection: Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 275°F (135°C). Roast for approximately 15 minutes. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes.
3. Look and Smell: They are ready when they are lightly browned and fill your kitchen with a rich, nutty aroma. Be careful not to let them burn, as burnt nuts will impart a bitter taste to your cake.

To effortlessly remove their skins (this step is optional but recommended for a smoother texture and less bitter taste):

1. Cool Slightly: Once roasted, let the hazelnuts cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. They should still be warm to the touch, but not too hot to handle.
2. Rubbing Method 1 (Palms): While they are still warm, take a small handful of hazelnuts and rub them vigorously between your palms. The skins should start to flake off easily.
3. Rubbing Method 2 (Towel): Alternatively, you can transfer the warm hazelnuts to a clean kitchen towel. Fold the towel over the nuts and rub them together vigorously. This method is often more efficient for larger batches.
4. Discard Skins: Once the skins are mostly removed, separate the clean hazelnuts from the loosened skins. Don’t worry if a few stubborn bits of skin remain; it won’t significantly affect the cake’s flavor or texture.

These perfectly toasted and optionally skinned hazelnuts are now ready to lend their exquisite flavor to your decadent chocolate cake.

How To Make This Irresistible Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

Follow these detailed steps to create your own show-stopping Chocolate Hazelnut Cake:

1. Prepare Your Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter and then lightly flour a 9-inch pie or tart pan. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures your beautiful cake releases easily. Set the prepared pan aside.
2. Craft the Hazelnut-Chocolate Dry Mix: In the bowl of a food processor, combine 4 ounces (half) of your semi-sweet chocolate chips, the toasted hazelnuts, and the almond flour. Pulse these ingredients together until the hazelnuts are coarsely chopped. You want some texture, not a fine powder. Transfer this aromatic nut mixture to a small bowl and set it aside; it will be incorporated later.
3. Grind Sugar and Chocolate Base: Return the remaining chocolate chips and all of the granulated sugar to the food processor. Blend until this mixture reaches a very fine, almost powdery texture. This fine grind helps create the smooth base for the cake.
4. Create the Chocolate Paste: With the food processor running, gradually and slowly add the hot water through the feed tube. Continue processing until all the chocolate is thoroughly melted and the entire mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy paste. Scrape down the sides if necessary to ensure everything is well combined.
5. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: To the chocolate paste in the food processor, add the eggs, the cubed butter, and the vanilla extract. Pulse the machine just until all these wet ingredients are fully blended and the batter appears uniform and smooth. Avoid overmixing.
6. Fold in the Hazelnut Mix: Now, add the reserved coarsely chopped hazelnut-chocolate mixture back into the food processor. Pulse a few times, just enough to incorporate the nut mixture into the batter without over-processing. Pour the rich batter into your previously prepared 9-inch pie or tart pan.
7. Bake and Cool Properly: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely for 1 hour on a wire cooling rack. This gradual cooling helps the cake set. Afterward, transfer the cake to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours. This chilling process is essential for achieving the perfect dense, fudgy texture.
8. Temper and Serve with Flair: Before serving, take the pie out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the cake to temper slightly, enhancing its flavor and texture. Serve slices of this magnificent cake with a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream on top for an extra touch of indulgence.

Expert Recipe Tips for a Perfect Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

Achieve bakery-worthy results with these helpful tips and serving suggestions:

• Don’t Panic About Sinking: It’s perfectly normal for this cake to puff up slightly during baking and then settle or even look a little sunken once removed from the oven. This is characteristic of its dense, fudgy texture and nothing to worry about. The end result will still be wonderfully moist and delicious!
• Elevate Your Presentation: While a simple dollop of fresh whipped cream is always a classic choice, consider piping elegant rosettes of whipped cream for a more refined look. For an extra layer of decadence and visual appeal, serve each slice with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, allowing its creamy coolness to contrast with the rich cake.
• Garnish for Glamour: To truly impress, sprinkle the top of your cooled cake with finely chopped candied hazelnuts. This adds a delightful crunch and a beautiful glimmer, making your dessert even more enticing. A dusting of cocoa powder or a few fresh raspberries can also add a pop of color and freshness.
• Choosing Your Pan: I personally love baking this cake in a springform pan. It makes serving perfect, clean slices incredibly easy, especially with its dense consistency. However, if you don’t have a springform pan, a standard 9-inch pie plate or tart pan will work just as wonderfully. Just be mindful when slicing and serving to maintain its beautiful form.

Perfect Pairings: How to Serve Your Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

This elegant and rich hazelnut cake is a sophisticated dessert that pairs wonderfully with a variety of beverages, making it an ideal choice for a celebratory evening or a cozy night in. For those who appreciate a spirited accompaniment, consider starting with a creamy adult beverage. A Bailey’s White Russian or a warm mug of Kahlua Hot Chocolate offers a decadent and comforting complement to the cake’s flavors. Alternatively, my Spiked Apple Cider with caramel vodka would also make a delicious and warming match, especially during cooler months.

If you prefer iced drinks with a brighter, more refreshing flavor profile, kick off the party with a glass of Easy Christmas Sangria, perfect for its fruity notes, or a vibrant, refreshing Pomegranate Gin and Tonic. For non-alcoholic options, a strong cup of coffee, an espresso, or a glass of cold milk perfectly balances the cake’s sweetness. A gourmet hot cocoa or a sophisticated tea blend would also be excellent choices.

More Decadent Dessert Recipes to Explore

If you’re captivated by the magic of hazelnuts and chocolate, there’s a whole world of Nutella-inspired and hazelnut-rich desserts waiting for you. Dive into these delightful recipes:

• Nutella Stuffed Cookies – Experience a mind-blowing twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie, featuring a gooey Nutella center that’s pure bliss.
• Homemade Nutella – That’s right, you can create your very own rich, creamy hazelnut chocolate spread right in your kitchen. It’s surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding!
• Nutella Cupcakes – These adorable and indulgent cupcakes are filled with a luscious Nutella core and crowned with a swirl of velvety Nutella buttercream, making them the ultimate cute comfort treat.
• Nutella Ice Cream – Delicately flavored with the distinctive taste of Nutella, this creamy ice cream could very well form the base of the best ice cream sundae you’ve ever had.
• Nutella Crepes – Elevate your brunch experience with these scrumptious, delicate crepes generously filled with rich Nutella. They’re a breakfast (or dessert) dream!
• Nutella Skillet Cookie – Imagine a giant, warm Nutella cookie, baked in a skillet, with a gooey Nutella filling. It’s an impressive and delicious dessert, perfect for sharing with a crowd.

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