Description

This Christmas Hazelnut Cake is a delightful, nutty treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Featuring ground hazelnuts blended into a moist, buttery cake, it’s a rich and flavorful dessert that offers a satisfying texture and sweet vanilla undertones. Baked to perfection, this cake is sure to become a festive favorite for family and friends to savor every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups ground hazelnuts
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the cake evenly.
Prepare the Pan: Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan to prevent the cake from sticking and to help with easy removal after baking.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, which helps to incorporate air for a lighter cake texture.
Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to create a smooth batter and to properly emulsify the ingredients.
Mix in Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract to add a rich, aromatic flavor to the cake batter.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the ground hazelnuts, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt evenly.
Incorporate Dry Mixture and Milk: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with milk, and mix gently to maintain a tender crumb and prevent overmixing.
Fill the Pan: Pour the completed batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top for even baking.
Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

For a more intense hazelnut flavor, toast the hazelnuts lightly before grinding.
Ensure butter is at room temperature to help with proper creaming and batter consistency.
You can substitute milk with almond milk for a slightly different flavor profile.
To keep the cake moist, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
This cake pairs wonderfully with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate glaze for extra indulgence.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Western

Keywords: Christmas cake, hazelnut cake, holiday dessert, nutty cake, festive cake, baked cake, Christmas dessert