Are you craving a decadent yet simple dessert? Look no further! This Nutella cake recipe is the perfect solution for satisfying your sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen. It's incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients and even less effort, making it ideal for beginner bakers and busy weeknights. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this rich, chocolatey, and utterly irresistible Nutella cake. This easy recipe is perfect for anyone looking for quick dinner ideas or a delicious addition to their healthy meals.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup Nutella, plus extra for serving
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents for a perfectly light cake.
Step 2: Cream Together Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, resulting in a tender crumb. Use an electric mixer for best results; it will save you time and effort.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
Step 5: Fold in Nutella
Gently fold in the ½ cup of Nutella until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as you want to retain some swirls of Nutella throughout the cake for added texture and visual appeal.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Let the cake cool completely in the pan before serving. Once cooled, drizzle generously with extra Nutella and enjoy! This simple addition elevates the cake to another level of deliciousness.
Tips for the Best Nutella Cake:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for optimal creaming and mixing.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can result in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Check for Doneness: Use a wooden skewer to check if the cake is fully baked. If the skewer comes out with wet batter, bake for a few more minutes.
- Cooling Time: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting or serving to prevent the frosting from melting.
Variations:
- Add Nuts: Incorporate chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts into the batter for added texture and flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Fold in some chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey treat.
- Different Frosting: Experiment with different frostings, such as cream cheese frosting or a simple powdered sugar glaze.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Around 350-400
- Fat: Around 20-25g
- Carbohydrates: Around 40-45g
- Protein: Around 5-7g
Please note that nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
This easy Nutella cake recipe is perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings. It's a delicious and impressive dessert that's sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy!