Nut cake

Hazelnut Cake: a delicious and easy-to-make dessert

Preparation time: 25 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Number of servings: 8

If you're looking for a quick and tasty dessert, hazelnut cake is the perfect choice. This cake has a fine texture, a rich flavor, and is ideal for any occasion. Follow the detailed steps below to achieve a perfect result.

Ingredients:
- 350 g roasted hazelnuts (preferably unsalted)
- 200 g sugar
- 5 egg whites
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 100 g dark chocolate (for glazing, optional)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the hazelnuts: Start by grinding the roasted hazelnuts in a food processor. Make sure to achieve a fine powder, but do not turn them into hazelnut butter. Mix the ground hazelnuts with the sugar to combine evenly. This mixture will give the cake a delicious texture and intense flavor.

2. Beating the egg whites: In a clean bowl, beat the 5 egg whites with a pinch of salt until they form peaks. You can use an electric mixer to make the process easier. When the egg whites are firm and formed, add the vanilla extract if you want a more aromatic flavor.

3. Combining the ingredients: Gradually add the hazelnut and sugar mixture to the bowl with the egg whites, gently folding with a spatula to avoid losing air from the egg whites. It is essential to use a folding motion to achieve an airy composition.

4. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C and prepare a cake pan (preferably 24 cm in diameter) by greasing it with butter and dusting with flour or using parchment paper. Pour the mixture into the pan and bake for about 30 minutes or until the cake is well risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. Cooling and glazing (optional): After the cake is baked, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it onto a cooling rack. If you wish to add a glaze, melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler and pour it over the cooled cake.

Serving:
The hazelnut cake can be served plain or with chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream. It is perfect to be enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee or tea, adding flavor to any meal.

Variations:
If you want to experiment, you can add a few tablespoons of cocoa to the mixture to make a chocolate cake, or you can replace some of the hazelnuts with pecans or pistachios to add a contrast of textures and flavors.

Practical tips:
- Make sure the hazelnuts are roasted, as this will enhance the flavor and add an intense taste to the cake.
- Use room temperature eggs for firmer egg whites.
- Do not open the oven in the first 20 minutes of baking to avoid compromising the rising process of the cake.

This hazelnut cake is not just a simple recipe, but also an opportunity to impress your loved ones with a homemade dessert full of flavor and texture. Make it and enjoy every slice!