A soft chocolate and hazelnut cake is a real treat for lovers of gourmet desserts. Here is a simple and delicious recipe to make it:
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### **Ingredients** (for 6 to 8 people):
– 200 g of dark chocolate (70% cocoa)
– 150 g of unsalted butter
– 150 g of caster sugar
– 4 eggs
– 100 g of flour
– 1 sachet of baking powder
– 100 g of crushed or powdered hazelnuts
– 1 pinch of salt
– Optional: 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to intensify the chocolate flavor
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### **Preparation**:
1. **Preheat the oven**
to 180°C (thermostat 6). Butter and flour a cake tin, or use baking paper.
2. **Melt the chocolate and butter**:
– Break the chocolate into pieces and cut the butter into cubes.
– Melt everything in a bain-marie or in the microwave (in short pulses to avoid burning the chocolate). Mix until smooth.
3. **Prepare the dough**:
– In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar until the mixture whitens slightly.
– Add the melted chocolate and mix well.
– Incorporate the flour, baking powder, pinch of salt and crushed hazelnuts (as well as the cocoa powder if using). Mix gently to obtain a smooth dough.
4. **Bake**:
– Pour the dough into the prepared mold.
– Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Check the cooking by sticking the blade of a knife in the center of the cake: it should come out slightly moist, but without any trace of liquid dough.
5. **Unmold and let cool** :
– Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes in the mold before unmolding it on a rack.
– Let it cool completely before enjoying it.
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### **Tips and variations** :
– For more indulgence, add chocolate chips to the dough before baking.
– You can replace the hazelnuts with almonds, walnuts or pistachios.
– Serve the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or custard for an even more indulgent dessert.
Enjoy your meal!