Hazelnut Layer Cake With Espresso Buttercream Chocolate Frangelico Ganache And Toasted And Gilded Hazelnuts Recipes

CHOCOLATE-HAZELNUT-ESPRESSO MOUSSE

Steps:

• Combine the heavy cream and espresso granules in a small mixing bowl. Stir until dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Add the espresso mixture to the bowl of a standing mixer, along with the chocolate-hazelnut spread. Mix with the whisk attachment on medium for 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, and continue beating until very soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Garnish with the toasted hazelnuts and whipped cream and serve.
• Cook's Note: I also often garnish this with some sliced bananas for my nephews.

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Microwave 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.
• Cake: Heat oven to 350°F.
• You'll need two 9 x 2-in. round cake pans, greased and floured.
• Whisk cocoa powder and water in a medium bowl, then Nutella and buttermilk, Frangelico and vanilla.
• Beat sugar, butter, baking soda, baking powder and salt in 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.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes until a pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on rack 10 minutes.
• Run a knife around edge of each layer; turn out on rack and cool completely.
• Insert several toothpicks halfway up side around both cake layers.
• Using picks as a guide, cut layers in half with a long serrated knife.
• Filling & frosting: Beat cold chocolate mixture on medium speed until soft peaks form when beaters are lifted.
• Put Nutella into a bowl; stir in 1 1/2 cups chocolate mixture until smooth. Fold into remaining chocolate mixture until combined.
• Remove 2 1/2 cups to a bowl; stir in hazelnuts for filling.
• Reserve remainder for frosting.
• To assemble: Place 1 cake layer on serving plate; spread with 1/3 the filling (1 scant cup).
• Top with second layer and 1/2 the remaining filling; repeat with third layer and remaining filling.
• Top with last cake layer.
• Spread a thin layer of frosting over top and sides; refrigerate 15 minutes to firm.
• Spread top and sides with remaining frosting.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Garnish just before serving.
• Plan ahead: Wrap cooled cake layers and make frosting (through Step 1) up to 2 days ahead.
• Cover the frosted cake and refrigerate up to 3 days.

FRANGELICO (HAZELNUT) CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place oven rack in the middle of the oven.
• Toast the hazelnuts: Lay hazelnuts on a cookie sheet and toast at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes until lightly browned and skins are beginning to crack. Wrap in a towl and let steam for 1 minute. Rub hazelnuts in the towel to remove some of the skins. Grind coarsely and let cool. Keep the oven at 350.
• Make the crust: Combine all crust ingredients except the butter in a food processor until well mixed. Cut the butter into cubes and incorporate into other ingredients for about 1 minute. Press firmly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan (I use bottom of flat glass). Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
• Make the cheesecake: Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees and place a pan half-filled with water in the bottom rack. Melt the chocolate and set aside. (Tip: if melting in the microwave, heat in intervals of 30 seconds and stir. Should take no more than 1 minute on high). On low speed, beat cream cheese until smooth. Slowly mix in the sugar, flour and frangelico. Keep scraping down the sides of the bowl. One at a time, beat in the eggs on low speed.
• Take 1/2 cup of the cheesecake batter and mix it with the chocolate.
• Pour cheesecake batter into pan. The chocolate mixture can either be placed in a bag for piping or dropped by spoonfuls into the batter and swirled for a marbled effect.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Decrease oven temperature and bake at 225 degrees for about 1 hour. Towards the end of the baking time, check for doneness. Move the cheesecake pan slightly -- if the edges are set and the center is still wobbly the cheesecake is done. Turn the oven off and prop the door open with an oven mitt. Let cool inside the oven for at least an hour. Let cool on a counter until the pan is cool. Place in the refrigerator uncovered to chill and set. The cheesecake must be chilled for at least 24 hours.