Chocolate and Nut Cake

Chocolate and Walnut Cake - a delicious and comforting recipe

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 50-60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Servings: 8-10

In an increasingly hectic world, a chocolate and walnut cake can be a sweet and comforting escape. This recipe is not only simple but also full of flavor and texture. The origins of the cake are lost in history, but it has certainly brought joy to many tables over time. It is a perfect dessert for a tea with friends, a quick snack, or even an indulgent breakfast.

Necessary ingredients:

- 3 large eggs
- 50 g good quality cocoa
- 100 ml hot water
- 150 g butter (at room temperature)
- 120 g sugar
- 150 g flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- 50 ml sour cream or yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 50 g coarsely chopped walnuts
- For decoration: 20 g dark chocolate

Step by step:

1. Preparing the cocoa mixture: Start by boiling 100 ml of water. When the water reaches boiling point, add the cocoa and stir well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it cool in the fridge. This step is essential as it helps to intensify the flavors.

2. Butter cream: In a large bowl, place the softened butter and sugar. Use an electric mixer and beat the ingredients together until they become creamy and fluffy. This step will give the cake an airy texture, making it look appetizing.

3. Adding the eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring that you incorporate them well into the mixture after each addition. This will ensure an even emulsion, essential for a successful cake.

4. Incorporating the cocoa mixture: Take the cocoa mixture from the fridge and incorporate it into the butter cream. Use the mixer on low speed to avoid forming air bubbles. Mix until the composition becomes homogeneous, having a rich chocolate color.

5. The next step: flour: In another bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder and salt. Add half of this mixture to the chocolate cream and gently fold with a spatula. Then, add the sour cream (or yogurt) and the rest of the flour. Continue mixing until everything is well incorporated.

6. Flavoring: Add the vanilla extract and the coarsely chopped walnuts. The walnuts not only provide a crunchy contrast but also perfectly complement the chocolate flavor. Gently mix to avoid breaking the walnuts.

7. Preparing the pan: Preheat the oven to 170-180 degrees Celsius. Choose a medium-sized loaf pan (approximately 11 x 23 cm) and grease it with butter and flour to prevent sticking.

8. Baking: Pour the cake mixture into the pan and level the top. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Check if it's done using the toothpick test: insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, the cake is perfect.

9. Cooling: Once the cake is baked, let it cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This is an important step that will allow the cake to retain its moisture and not dry out.

10. Decorating: Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave, placing it in a plastic bag. Cut off a corner of the bag and decorate the cooled cake with the melted chocolate. Allow the chocolate to set before slicing the cake.

Serving suggestions:
This cake can be enjoyed plain, alongside a cup of tea or coffee, but you can also serve it with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a more decadent dessert. Additionally, add some fresh fruit for a touch of freshness.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use chocolate instead of cocoa? Absolutely! You can replace the cocoa with melted chocolate for an even more intense chocolate flavor, but you will need to adjust the sugar amounts.

2. How can I make the cake less caloric? Replace the butter with a healthier butter alternative or use some yogurt instead of butter. You can also reduce the sugar by using natural sweeteners.

3. What other ingredients can I add? You can experiment with dried fruits, raisins, or even chocolate chunks to diversify the texture and flavor of the cake.

Nutritional benefits:
This cake is not only tasty but also nutritious. The walnuts add healthy fatty acids, protein, and fiber, while cocoa is rich in antioxidants. Additionally, using yogurt or sour cream contributes to a soft and moist texture, while also providing calcium.

Enjoy every slice of this chocolate and walnut cake, bringing a touch of joy to your everyday life! It is more than just a simple recipe - it is an opportunity to create memories and share special moments with loved ones. Bon appétit!