Chocolate Hazelnut Layer Cake

This decadent cake is a dessert-lover's dream، featuring a chocolate batter made with Nutella، buttermilk and hazelnut liqueur، and a smooth frosting of bittersweet chocolate، Nutella and heavy cream.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 c. heavy (whipping) cream
• 2 bar bittersweet chocolate
• 1 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• c. boiling water
• 1/2 c. Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread; buy two 13-oz jars)
• 1 c. buttermilk
• 2 tbsp. Frangelico hazelnut liqueur (optional)
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 stick butter
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 c. Nutella
• 1 c. hazelnuts
• Garnish: chopped toasted hazelnuts and chocolate curls

DIRECTIONS

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  1. STEP 1Microwave cream in a large bowl on high until steaming. Add chocolate; let stand 5 minutes. Stir until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Cover surface directly with plastic wrap; refrigerate until cold، at least 4 hours.
  2. STEP 2Cake: Heat oven to 350°F. You'll need two 9 x 2-in. round cake pans، greased and floured.

a large bowl with mixer on medium-high speed 3 minutes or until pale. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. On low speed beat in flour in 3 additions alternating with cocoa mixture in 2 additions، beating just until blended. Pour into prepared pans.