Indulge in Pure Bliss: The Ultimate Moist Nutella Cake with Decadent Cream Cheese Frosting
There are some desserts that just capture your heart (and your taste buds) from the very first glance. This Nutella cake is undoubtedly one of them. Imagine a beautifully moist, rich chocolate cake infused with the irresistible flavor of hazelnut, generously covered in a luscious Nutella cream cheese frosting, and adorned with vibrant fresh raspberries and delicate almond slices. It’s not just a cake; it’s an experience, a celebration in every bite. This particular recipe for a super moist Nutella cake is so incredibly delicious, you’ll find yourself wanting to bake it not just for special occasions, but for any moment that calls for a truly decadent treat. It effortlessly combines the beloved flavors of chocolate and hazelnut into a stunning dessert that’s almost too pretty to eat, yet impossible to resist.
The magic of Nutella lies in its universal appeal, marrying creamy chocolate with the distinctive nutty richness of hazelnuts. When incorporated into a cake batter and its accompanying frosting, it transforms a simple dessert into something truly extraordinary. I first created this delectable cake on February 13th, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, initially hinting at it as a perfect romantic treat. However, the true and heartfelt inspiration came from a more personal place: both my mom and grandmother share their birthdays on February 15th, making this delightful creation a sweet tribute to them. While my own birthday is in June, breaking tradition to celebrate them with this exceptionally moist and flavorful Nutella cake felt absolutely right. And let me tell you, even two days later, this chocolate hazelnut cake was still incredibly moist and utterly delicious, a testament to its perfect balance of ingredients and impressive staying power.
Why This Nutella Cake Will Become Your Go-To Recipe
What’s not to love about a cake that tastes like pure hazelnut and chocolate bliss? This isn’t just any ordinary chocolate cake; it’s a moist chocolate cake elevated by the unmistakable essence of Nutella, both in the batter and in the rich frosting. Every single forkful offers a delightful symphony of flavors and textures – the deep, dark chocolate notes, the subtle roasted hazelnut warmth, the delightful tang of cream cheese in the frosting, and the bright, juicy burst of fresh raspberries. It’s a truly decadent treat that feels both comforting and elegantly sophisticated, perfect for impressing guests at a dinner party or simply indulging yourself and your loved ones after a long week. This easy Nutella cake recipe makes a dessert that’s rich, flavorful, and remarkably simple to prepare, despite its impressive appearance.
A Baker’s Evolution: From Quick Snaps to Culinary Art
Looking back at the early days of creating and sharing this Nutella cake recipe, I find myself reminiscing about my journey in the culinary world and the evolution of content creation. When I first developed this recipe and shared it on YouTube many moons ago, my primary focus was almost exclusively on capturing the perfect thumbnail photo. The intricate details of blogging, with its emphasis on a full array of detailed photography and comprehensive step-by-step visuals, came much later. I confess, I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t snap more photos of the cake’s interior back then – a beautiful cross-section would have perfectly showcased its incredible moist texture and inviting layers. You might even notice glimpses of my dining room curtains or a corner of my table in some of the older images, a clear indication that my entire attention was solely on securing that crucial close-up for the YouTube thumbnail, not on styling the surrounding ambiance.
Despite any photographic shortcomings of the past, the undeniable deliciousness of this easy Nutella cake always shone through. And truly, that’s what matters most when it comes to a homemade dessert. It was, and continues to be, the best chocolate cake ever. While some of my older photos might bring a nostalgic sigh, and even some newer ones don’t always hit the artistic mark I aim for, I truly feel I’m improving with every dish I make and every photo I take. The passion for creating and sharing delicious food remains constant, evolving alongside my skills in capturing its visual appeal. This Nutella cake, however, needed no elaborate styling to be memorable; its exquisite taste and super moist texture speak volumes all on their own. It’s a classic that never disappoints, a testament to the timeless appeal of chocolate and hazelnut.
The Secret to an Unforgettable Super Moist Nutella Cake
Achieving a truly moist chocolate cake is all about the right balance of ingredients and proper technique. This Nutella cake recipe incorporates a few key elements that ensure a tender, soft crumb every single time. First, the combination of vegetable oil and milk provides essential fat and liquid without making the cake dense or heavy. The unsweetened cocoa powder, along with both baking soda and baking powder, works synergistically to create a beautiful lift and an incredibly rich, deep chocolate flavor. But perhaps the most crucial ingredient for that incredible moistness, and a touch of baking magic, is the boiling water. Adding boiling water at the end of the batter preparation process serves a dual purpose: it ‘blooms’ the cocoa, intensifying its flavor to an amazing degree, and it effectively activates the leavening agents, contributing to a wonderfully light, airy, and exceptionally moist texture. And, of course, the thoughtful addition of a quarter cup of Nutella directly into the cake batter infuses it with that delightful hazelnut chocolate essence from within, making every single slice a truly indulgent and cohesive experience.
Crafting the Perfect Decadent Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting
No decadent cake is truly complete without an equally exquisite frosting, and this homemade Nutella cream cheese frosting absolutely delivers on all fronts. The harmonious combination of creamy unsalted butter, tangy cream cheese, and sweet powdered sugar creates a classic, velvety base that is then dramatically transformed by the generous inclusion of Nutella and a hint of additional cocoa powder. For the absolute best results and a frosting that’s effortlessly smooth, ensure your butter and cream cheese are at perfect room temperature. This crucial step allows them to whip together smoothly and incorporate ample air, resulting in a frosting that is wonderfully light, irresistibly fluffy, easy to spread, and literally melts in your mouth. The small touch of milk helps to achieve the ideal consistency, making it versatile for either elegant piping or smooth spreading, depending on your preferred decorating style. This Nutella frosting is not just a mere topping; it’s an integral component of the cake’s overall flavor profile, adding a creamy, rich, and utterly irresistible layer of hazelnut chocolate goodness that ties the entire dessert together beautifully.
Elevating Your Cake with Stunning Decorations
While the taste of this super moist Nutella cake is stellar on its own, its presentation truly makes it a showstopper, elevating it from a simple dessert to a culinary masterpiece. Fresh raspberries are an absolutely fantastic choice for garnish, providing a beautiful, vibrant contrast in color against the dark chocolate and a delightful tartness that perfectly cuts through the richness of the chocolate and Nutella flavors. Their bright red hue makes this cake an ideal centerpiece for festive occasions like Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or even Christmas gatherings. For an added layer of sophisticated texture and an extra hazelnut kick, don’t forget the chocolate hazelnut pirouettes. These delicate rolled cookies add an elegant visual touch and a satisfying crunch with every bite. Beyond raspberries and pirouettes, consider other delightful garnishes such as a light dusting of cocoa powder, a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted hazelnuts, or thinly sliced almonds for an even more sophisticated look and an enhanced nutty flavor profile. The true beauty of this Nutella cake is that it’s as adaptable as it is delicious, allowing you to personalize its appearance for any occasion or personal preference.
Essential Tips for Baking a Perfect Nutella Cake
- Achieve Room Temperature Ingredients: For both the cake batter and the luscious Nutella cream cheese frosting, ensuring that ingredients like eggs, milk, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature is paramount. This allows them to combine more smoothly and evenly, resulting in a more uniform, tender cake crumb and an exceptionally creamy, lump-free frosting.
- Always Sift Dry Ingredients: Never skip the important step of sifting the all-purpose flour and unsweetened cocoa powder. This process effectively removes any lumps and aerates the dry ingredients, which is crucial for achieving a lighter, fluffier cake texture. It also ensures the ingredients are well distributed.
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: Once you’ve combined the wet and dry ingredients, mix them only until they are just incorporated. Overmixing can over-develop the gluten in the flour, which will unfortunately lead to a tough and chewy cake rather than the desired tender crumb.
- Boiling Water is a Game-Changer: The addition of boiling water at the final stage of mixing the cake batter is truly crucial for activating the cocoa powder’s full flavor and creating that signature incredibly moist texture. Make absolutely sure the water is actively boiling when you add it for the best results.
- Cool Cakes Completely: Before you even think about applying the Nutella frosting, it is absolutely vital that the cake layers are completely cool to the touch. Frosting a warm cake will inevitably cause the frosting to melt, slide off, and create a messy, unappealing outcome. Patience is a virtue here!
- Proper Pan Preparation: To prevent your beautiful cake layers from sticking and ensure easy removal, generously butter your two 9-inch cake pans, paying attention to the corners and sides. Then, thoroughly dust them with flour, tapping out any excess. This creates an effective non-stick barrier.
Serving and Storage Suggestions for Your Nutella Masterpiece
This magnificent Nutella cake is perfectly suited as the grand finale to any celebratory meal, or simply as a luxurious afternoon treat enjoyed with a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea. For an extra touch of pure indulgence, consider serving a slice with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream, or a delicate drizzle of warm chocolate sauce. Any delicious leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have them!) can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, preserving its incredible moistness. Alternatively, it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you choose to refrigerate, remember to let the cake come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. This ensures that the cream cheese frosting is at its creamiest and the cake is at its most tender and flavorful. This Nutella cake also freezes exceptionally well; simply wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then enclose them in a layer of aluminum foil, and they will keep beautifully for up to 2-3 months. Thaw frozen slices overnight in the refrigerator before allowing them to reach room temperature for optimal enjoyment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About This Nutella Cake
- Can I make this Nutella cake recipe as cupcakes?
- Absolutely! This versatile recipe can easily be adapted for delightful Nutella cupcakes. Simply line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and fill each liner about two-thirds full with the batter. Bake them for approximately 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. The provided Nutella cream cheese frosting recipe will be perfect for piping a generous, beautiful swirl on top of each cupcake.
- Can I substitute Nutella with another hazelnut spread?
- While Nutella boasts a distinct and beloved flavor profile, you can certainly experiment with other chocolate hazelnut spreads if you wish. Just be aware that the overall flavor, sweetness, and even the texture of the final cake and frosting might vary slightly depending on the specific brand and composition of the spread you choose. For the most authentic taste, Nutella is highly recommended.
- How can I adjust this cake to be less sweet?
- If you prefer a less sweet dessert, you have a couple of options. You could slightly reduce the sugar in the cake batter by about 1/4 to 1/2 cup without drastically affecting the texture. For the frosting, reducing the powdered sugar is also an option, but be mindful that powdered sugar is crucial for achieving the correct consistency and structure. You might also consider using a higher-quality, darker unsweetened cocoa powder in the cake or frosting, or adding a tiny pinch more salt to subtly balance and counteract the sweetness.
- Do I need any special equipment to make this Nutella cake recipe?
- To successfully bake this delicious Nutella cake, you’ll primarily need two standard 9-inch round cake pans, a reliable stand mixer or a sturdy hand mixer for efficiently mixing both the cake batter and the luscious frosting, and essential baking tools such as mixing bowls, accurate measuring cups, and spoons. A fine-mesh sieve for thoroughly sifting the dry ingredients is also highly recommended for ensuring a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Can I make the cake layers ahead of time?
- Yes, absolutely! Making the cake layers in advance is a great way to save time. Once baked, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Then, wrap each cooled cake layer tightly in several layers of plastic wrap and store them at room temperature overnight. For longer preservation, wrap them exceptionally well in both plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and they can be frozen for up to a month. When you’re ready to assemble, simply thaw the frozen layers overnight in the refrigerator before bringing them to room temperature for frosting.
Nutella Cake
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Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup Nutella
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 tbsp Nutella
- 2 tbsp milk
- 3 cups powdered sugar
For decorating
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 2 cans chocolate hazelnut pirouettes
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
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Butter and flour two 9″ cake pans
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Sift the unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, set aside.
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In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, Nutella, vegetable oil, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract.
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Mix the flour mixture and egg mixture until well incorporated then pour in the boiling water slowly while mixing
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Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and tap pans on the counter to get rid of any air bubbles
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Bake the cakes for about 28-30 minutes or until fully cooked through
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Allow the cakes to completely cool
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To make the frosting, mix the unsalted butter until smooth then add the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, cream cheese, Nutella, milk, and vanilla extract.
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Mix on medium-high speed for about 3-4 minutes or until nice and fluffy.
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Frost the cooled cakes with the Nutella frosting, raspberries, chocolate hazelnut pirouettes, if desired and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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