Chocolate Nutella Cake

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This Chocolate Nutella Cake is a rich, decadent chocolate cake with a smooth Nutella frosting, garnished with chocolate shavings, aka a chocolate lover’s dream. If you’re looking for a chocolate cake that is out of the ordinary, this Nutella Cake recipe is just what you need.

chocolate nutella cake on a marble board

This Chocolate Nutella Cake gives you a true sense of indulgence as you eat this delicious cake. It’s a simple dessert, anything fancy and extraordinarily easy to make, but believe me, in every bite, it bursts with a chocolate-hazelnut flavor and incredible textures.

You can’t go wrong with this Chocolate Nutella Cake. It combines the best of both worlds- a moist, dense chocolate cake with a smooth Nutella whipped cream. Either you’re looking for a Nutella birthday cake or an easy dessert recipe for an afternoon treat, you’re going to love this cake!

chocolate nutella cake with a cake slicer

Why you’ll love this Chocolate Nutella Cake

  • An easy chocolate cake recipe.
  • A showstopping dessert but very approachable for the home baker.
  • The cake itself is super moist and dense, melting in your mouth.
  • The Combo hazelnut/chocolate is just super heaven.
  • Ready in less than 1 hour, this Nutella dessert recipe is perfect for a teatime with short notice. Just make sure to wait for the cake to cool down before adding the frosting.

Ingredient Notes

The chocolate cake is made with all-purpose flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, caster sugar (or granulated sugar), salt, large eggs, milk, water, and vegetable oil.

The Nutella frosting is made with heavy cream (full fat, called double cream in some countries), mascarpone cheese (full fat), powdered sugar, and Nutella or any chocolate hazelnut spread.

Chocolate shavings for decoration, but that’s optional.

How to make this Nutella Dessert

Easy chocolate cake recipe: in one large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Then, add the wet ingredients. Mix both. Pour the batter into the cake tin and bake.

Nutella Frosting: add all the ingredients to your bowl. With an electric mixer, beat at low speed until everything is combined. Then, increase the speed slightly and whip until stiff peaks form.

Note: Once the cake is baked and cooled, add the frosting and decorate with chocolate shavings.

Full instructions are at the bottom of the page. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

FAQs

How to store the Chocolate Nutella Cake?

Store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 2 days under a cake dome.

Can I make ahead of time this cake?

You can prepare the cake itself 1 day in advance; it will stay moist. However, I recommend making the frosting the day you plan to serve the Chocolate Nutella cake.

Can we freeze the chocolate cake?

The cake itself, without the frosting, freezes very well. Wrap with plastic wrap, and place in an airtight container. Freeze for up to a month.

Can I use a different brand of Chocolate hazelnut spread to prepare this Nutella cake recipe?

Of course, as long as the texture is smooth.

chocolate nutella cake with a slice in the background

Tips

Chocolate Cake:

  • Ingredients at room temperature to prepare the cake.
  • Measure the flour correctly. Too much flour and the texture will be drier.
  • Don’t over-mix the batter. Mix until just combined.
  • Don’t overbake the cake; you still want a few moist crumbs sticking to the toothpick after it comes out.  
  • Ensure the cake is completely cooled before adding the frosting.
  • Use an aluminum cake tin for best results. Light-colored cake tin provides better results.

Nutella Frosting:

  • Ensure the heavy cream is chilled.
  • Use a spoon to soften the mascarpone cheese.
  • Heat the Nutella in the microwave until it is slightly softened but not hot. It will be easier to combine.
  • Start to whip at low speed until everything is combined, then increase the speed slightly.

Make your own chocolate shavings:

To make chocolate shavings, hold a bar of chocolate at an angle in one hand and a vegetable peeler in the other. Then, with long, even strokes, run the peeler along the side of the bar. Don’t forget to place some baking paper underneath to collect your shavings!

If your chocolate bar is too hard to peel, you can warm it slightly. Place the bar in the microwave for 5-10 seconds, or leave it on a warm surface for a little while. Don’t allow the chocolate to melt, but rewarm it slightly.

slice of chocolate nutella cake on a dessert plate

Try these recipes, next:

If you tried this Chocolate Nutella Cake or any recipe on the blog, let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment below or a rating.

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Chocolate Nutella Cake

  • Prep time: 25 minutes
  • Cook time: 35 minutes
  • Total time: 1 hour
  • Serves: 8

This Chocolate Nutella Cake is a rich, decadent chocolate cake with a smooth Nutella frosting, garnished with chocolate shavings, aka a chocolate lover's dream

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

  • 165 g (1 cup + 1/3 cup) all-purpose flour
  • 50 g (1/2 cup) Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 200 g (1 cup) caster sugar, or granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 120 ml (1/2 cup) milk
  • 120 ml (1/2 cup) water
  • 95 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable oil, neutral flavor

Nutella Frosting

  • 180 ml (3/4 cup) heavy cream, 30-36% milk fat, chilled
  • 90 g (1/3 cup + 1Tbsp) mascarpone cheese, full fat, soften
  • 25 g (1/4 cup) powdered sugar
  • 100 g (1/3 cup) Nutella

Decoration

  • 80 g (2.82 oz) Chocolate Shavings

Method

Chocolate Cake

  • 1)

    Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), fan off. Line an 8-inch cake tin with baking paper.

  • 2)

    In a large bowl, sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Add in the sugar and salt. Whisk until combined.

  • 3)

    Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients: eggs, milk, water, and oil. Mix until combined but do not over-mix. (note: the batter should be runny)

  • 4)

    Pour the batter into the cake tin. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Don’t overbake. You still want a few moist crumbs sticking to the toothpick after it comes out.

  • 5)

    Remove from the oven and let the cake in the tin for 5-10 min. Then, transfer the cake to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Nutella Frosting

  • 1)

    Pour the Nutella into a microwave-proof bowl and heat it for 20-30 seconds to soften slightly but ensure it’s not too hot. Otherwise, set aside a few minutes. It should be smooth and pourable.

  • 2)

    Add all the ingredients to a large bowl. With an electric mixer, start to whip on slow speed, allowing the mascarpone cheese to turn to a liquid consistency.

    When everything is fully mixed together, increase the speed slightly until medium-high and whip until stiff peaks form.

  • 3)

    With a spatula, gently fold the frosting to remove any air bubbles. Be gentle to avoid the Nutella whipped cream deflating.

Assembly

  • 1)

    Proceed when the cake is fully cooked.

    With a spatula, top the cake with the Nutella frosting and spread. (check the video below, in the blogpost)

    Keep in the fridge and sprinkle chocolate shavings when ready to serve.

Notes

– US/UK Baking Spoons:  teaspoon: 5ml / tablespoon: 15ml / cup: 240ml

– I used a Aluminum Cake Tin for this recipe.

– Any leftovers? Store the cake in the fridge, under a cake dome, for up to 2 days.

– Scroll back to read tips and frequently asked questions within the blog post that you might find helpful

10 Comments

  • Megan

    February 21, 2023 at 6:21 am

    The cake was absolutely delicious! Nutella is just amazing isn’t it.

  • Kathryn

    February 21, 2023 at 7:01 pm

    This made such a delicious and gorgeous cake! We all loved the Nutella in it and it was so easy to put together. Making this again for a birthday celebration!

  • Pam

    February 23, 2023 at 3:28 pm

    My husband loves chocolate and I was looking for the perfect cake to make him for his birthday! He said this is his new favorite cake!

  • Kristina

    February 23, 2023 at 6:18 pm

    This was a wonderful cake, full of chocolate flavor. I used a bundt pan, let the cake cool in the fridge for a little bit and then made the frosting. I then let it chill again to harden the frosting quickly. So good!

  • Isabelle

    February 23, 2023 at 6:19 pm

    The cake turned out perfect with the directions followed as is. It was so flavorful and super soft. This recipe is a keeper for sure!

  • Lisa

    February 25, 2023 at 10:59 pm

    Chocolate cake is delicious but teh Nutella frosting puts it right over the top!

  • Jacqueline Debono

    February 26, 2023 at 2:17 pm

    This cake is fabulous and the nutella and mascarpone frosting just makes it so special. Will be making it again!

  • Dani

    February 26, 2023 at 8:13 pm

    It’s the Nutella frosting for me! It really takes this Chocolate Cake to the next level.

  • Veronika

    February 27, 2023 at 1:51 am

    I made this cake the other day and it was a huge hit! The frosting was rich, creamy, and decadent. The cake was so fluffy and light.

  • Enri Lemoine

    February 27, 2023 at 6:07 am

    We all love Nutella at home (who doesn’t?), so I made this fantastic chocolate cake, and it turned out decadent, delicious, and chocolatey. I also love that it is easy to make. I’m sure I’ll bake it again and again. BTW: I love the pink in your blog. So cute!

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