A chocolate cake with nuts is rich, indulgent, and has that perfect contrast between moist cake and crunchy texture. Whether you’re craving a simple one-bowl snack cake or a celebration-worthy layer cake, adding nuts (like walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds) makes it extra special. 🍫🌰
Here’s a classic chocolate cake with nuts recipe — easy, moist, and full of flavor:
🍫 Moist Chocolate Cake with Nuts
📝 Ingredients (Makes one 9×13-inch cake or two 9-inch rounds)
For the cake:
-
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
-
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
-
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
-
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
-
1/2 tsp salt
-
2 cups granulated sugar
-
2 large eggs
-
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice, let sit 5 min)
-
1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
1 cup boiling water
-
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work great)
Optional:
-
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips for extra richness
-
1/2 tsp espresso powder (to deepen the chocolate flavor)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prep oven:
Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pan(s).
2. Mix dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add wet ingredients:
Add sugar, eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth (you can use a whisk or electric mixer on medium speed).
4. Add hot water:
Slowly stir in boiling water — batter will be thin (that’s good!).
Fold in nuts (and chocolate chips if using).
5. Bake:
-
Pour into prepared pan(s).
-
Bake for 30–35 minutes (for a 9×13) or 25–30 minutes (for 9″ rounds), until a toothpick comes out clean.
-
Let cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
🍫 Frosting Ideas
Simple Chocolate Ganache (Optional but heavenly):
-
1 cup heavy cream
-
8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
-
Heat cream to just below boiling, pour over chocolate chips, let sit 2 min, then stir until smooth. Cool slightly, then pour over cake.
Or try: Cream cheese frosting, chocolate buttercream, or just a dusting of powdered sugar.
🔁 Variations
-
German Chocolate-Style: Top with coconut-pecan frosting.
-
Nutella Swirl: Swirl Nutella into the batter before baking and top with hazelnuts.
-
Gluten-Free Option: Sub with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
-
Sheet Cake Simplicity: Skip frosting — serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Would you like this recipe adjusted for cupcakes, a layer cake, or made eggless or vegan?
