🍫🌰 Chocolate Hazelnut Drip Cake

Indulge in layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy hazelnut buttercream, and a glossy chocolate ganache drip. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any chocolate lover’s dream!

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake (3 Layers)

2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour

2 cups (400 g) sugar

¾ cup (90 g) cocoa powder

2 tsp baking powder

1 ½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)

½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup (240 ml) hot coffee or hot water

Hazelnut Buttercream

1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened

½ cup (120 g) Nutella or any hazelnut spread

3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar

3–4 tbsp heavy cream or milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Chocolate Ganache Drip

1 cup (170 g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream

1 tbsp butter (optional, for shine)

Garnish

Roasted hazelnuts

Chocolate truffles or Ferrero Rocher

White chocolate truffles (for contrast)

Gold-dusted topper or edible gold spray (optional)

Instructions

1️⃣ Bake the Cake Layers

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line 3 round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
4. Stir in hot coffee or water (batter will be thin).
5. Divide evenly into pans and bake for 28–32 minutes.
6. Let the cakes cool completely before assembling.

2️⃣ Make the Hazelnut Buttercream

1. Beat butter until creamy.
2. Add Nutella and vanilla extract, mix well.
3. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with cream, until smooth and fluffy.

3️⃣ Prepare the Ganache Drip

1. Heat heavy cream until steaming.
2. Pour over chopped chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes.
3. Stir until smooth. Add butter for extra shine if desired.

4️⃣ Assemble the Cake

1. Place the first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread hazelnut buttercream evenly and sprinkle roasted hazelnuts.
2. Repeat for the second and third layers.
3. Frost the outside of the cake with remaining buttercream and smooth it out.

5️⃣ Decorate

1. Pour cooled ganache along the edges to create dripping effect.
2. Top with truffles, hazelnuts, and white chocolate accents.
3. Optionally, add a golden ball or edible glitter for a show-stopping finish.

Tips & Tricks

Chill the cake between layers for stability.

Use roasted hazelnuts for added crunch and flavor depth.

Pairs beautifully with espresso, coffee, or dessert wine.

For a more dramatic drip, slightly warm the ganache before pouring.