Nut and chocolate cake

The walnut and chocolate cake is a refined and decadent dessert, perfect for any special occasion or simply to satisfy a sweet craving. With a soft and moist base enriched with the intense flavors of chocolate and walnut, this quick and simple recipe is sure to become a family and friends' favorite. Let's begin the culinary journey!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 25-30 minutes
Total time: 50-55 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients for the base:
- 6 eggs
- 6 tablespoons of sugar
- 4 tablespoons of flour
- 5 tablespoons of ground walnut
- 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 packet of vanilla

Ingredients for the cream:
- 100 g chocolate with nuts
- 350 ml whipped cream
- 10 g gelatin
- 100 g ground walnut
- 1 teaspoon of instant coffee

Ingredients for decoration:
- 250 ml whipped cream
- instant coffee (for sprinkling)
- chocolate dragees
- chopped walnut

Step 1: Preparing the base

Start by separating the eggs, placing the egg whites in a large bowl and the yolks in another. Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and beat them with a mixer on high speed until they form a firm foam. This will give the base an airy texture.

In the bowl with the yolks, add the sugar and beat them together until you get a creamy and light-colored mixture. Now, incorporate the flour, baking powder, ground walnut, and cocoa. Mix well until homogeneous.

Finally, add the beaten egg whites, gently folding them in with a spatula. It is important not to lose the air from the egg whites, so use gentle up-and-down motions.

Step 2: Baking

Prepare a large baking tray by lining it with parchment paper or greasing it with oil and dusting it with flour. Pour the mixture into the tray and level it evenly.

Preheat the oven to 175°C (medium heat) and bake the base for 25-30 minutes. Test for doneness using a toothpick: if it comes out clean, the base is perfect. After baking, let it cool in the tray.

Step 3: The syrup

To soak the base, you can prepare a simple syrup from 100 ml of water, 50 g of sugar, and a vanilla pod. Boil the ingredients together for 5 minutes, then let them cool.

Step 4: Preparing the cream

In a small pot, place the chocolate with nuts and 100 ml of whipped cream. Heat on low, stirring continuously, until the chocolate is completely melted and combined with the cream. In another container, hydrate the gelatin in 3 tablespoons of water and dissolve it for a few seconds in the microwave.

Add the dissolved gelatin to the chocolate mixture and mix well. Let it cool.

Whip the remaining 250 ml of whipped cream with a tablespoon of honey until firm, then fold in the cooled chocolate mixture, instant coffee, and ground walnuts.

Step 5: Assembling the cake

Once the base has cooled, cut it in half widthwise. Lightly soak each half with the prepared syrup. Spread the chocolate cream over the first half of the base, then cover with the other half. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.

After the cream has set, whip the remaining cream and spread it evenly over the cake. Decorate with walnuts, chocolate dragees, and a sprinkle of instant coffee for an extra touch of flavor.

Serving suggestion:

Serve the walnut and chocolate cake cold, alongside a cup of fresh coffee or a fragrant tea. This combination will enhance the rich flavors of the dessert and turn each slice into a memorable experience.

Experiment with various variations, such as adding orange zest to the cream or replacing the chocolate with a white variant for a delicious contrast. This cake is not just a dessert, but a true declaration of love for sweets!