Kinder Penguin Cake

Chocolate Cake with Nutella and Whipped Cream - A Delight for Your Celebrations

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 35-40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Servings: 20

Who doesn’t love a decadent chocolate cake that brings smiles to the faces of loved ones? Today, I will guide you step by step in making a chocolate cake with Nutella, perfect for the most important events in your life. This cake is not only delicious but also symbolic, making it the ideal choice to celebrate special moments, such as an anniversary or wonderful news. And to make this recipe even more special, it’s important to note that we are not just celebrating a cake, but also the joy of new life, as the honoree's wife has announced that she is pregnant.

Before we begin, let’s ensure we have all the ingredients ready and that we’re properly equipped. Let’s put on our aprons and get ready for a culinary adventure!

Ingredients

For the cake:
- 5 fresh eggs (I recommend using free-range eggs for a richer flavor)
- 200 g sugar (you can use brown sugar for a more caramelized taste)
- 1 cup of oil (approximately 200 ml, preferably sunflower oil)
- 1 cup of milk (you can use whole milk for a creamier texture)
- 200 g flour (white wheat flour, but whole grain offers a more complex flavor)
- 30 g cocoa (high-quality cocoa makes a difference)
- 1 packet of instant yeast for sweets (or baking powder, if you prefer)

For the filling:
- 600 ml heavy cream (make sure it’s whipping cream with at least 30% fat content)
- 350 g Nutella (or any other chocolate spread you prefer)

For the glaze:
- 250 g cooking chocolate (opt for chocolate with over 50% cocoa for an intense flavor)
- 50 ml milk

Step by Step

Step 1: Preparing the Cake

1. Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 150 degrees Celsius. It’s essential to maintain a consistent temperature for even baking.

2. Beating the eggs: In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until you achieve a fluffy, light-colored mixture. This step is crucial, as the air incorporated into the eggs will make the cake light and airy.

3. Adding wet ingredients: Incorporate the oil and milk. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.

4. Dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift the flour, cocoa, and yeast (or baking powder). Then, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, gently folding with a spatula.

5. Pouring into the pan: Pour the batter into a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Ensure it is evenly spread for a uniform cake.

6. Baking: Place the tray in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until it passes the toothpick test. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Step 2: Making the Filling

7. Cooling the cake: Once the cake is baked, let it cool completely on a wire rack. This step is important to avoid melting the whipped cream.

8. Whipping the cream: In a cold bowl, whip the cream until it becomes firm. Ensure that the bowl and utensils are cold for perfect whipped cream.

9. Preparing the Nutella: Place the jar of Nutella in a pot of hot water (bain-marie) until it softens enough to spread easily. This trick will make it easier to work with Nutella.

Step 3: Assembling the Cake

10. Slicing the cake: Once the cake is completely cooled, cut it in half (or into four layers if you prefer a taller cake).

11. Filling: Place the first half of the cake on a serving platter. Spread half of the whipped cream on top, followed by a generous layer of Nutella.

12. Finishing: Place the other half of the cake on top and cover with the remaining whipped cream.

Step 4: Glazing

13. Preparing the glaze: Melt the chocolate with the milk in a bain-marie. Stir until you achieve a smooth mixture and let it cool slightly.

14. Glazing the cake: Pour the chocolate glaze over the cake, ensuring it is evenly distributed across the surface.

15. Decorating: The edges of the cake can be decorated with chocolate plastic for an elegant look.

16. Final cooling: Allow the cake to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. This step will help all the flavors meld and allow the cake to set.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this cake with fresh fruit, such as strawberries or raspberries, which add a refreshing note and a pleasant contrast to the chocolate. Additionally, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce will elevate the dessert to an unforgettable experience.

Possible Variations

To customize the cake to your preferences, you can replace Nutella with white chocolate spread or a mixture of peanut butter and chocolate. You can also add chopped nuts or hazelnuts to the batter for added texture.

Nutritional Benefits

This cake is a true delight, but when enjoyed in moderation, it can be part of a balanced diet. Dark chocolate has antioxidant benefits, and the eggs and cream provide a protein boost. However, it’s worth noting that this cake is calorie-dense, with approximately 450 calories per serving, so it’s best savored in moderation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a different type of oil?
Yes, you can use coconut oil or olive oil, but the flavor will change.

2. Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute wheat flour with almond flour or oat flour, but make sure to use a gluten-free yeast variant.

3. How can I store the cake?
The cake stores well in the refrigerator in an airtight container, but it’s best consumed within 3-4 days.

Now that you have all the necessary information, you’re ready to make this chocolate cake with Nutella that will surely impress everyone who gets to enjoy it! Don’t forget to enjoy every step of the process and share this delight with your loved ones. Enjoy!