Nutella Cake!
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A three-layer Nutella cake with chocolate cake, Nutella buttercream frosting and extra Nutella!
Nutella cake!
I’m not really sure why on earth its taken me so long to post a recipe like this, but it has. I’ve posted several Nutella recipes in my time, but an actual cake hadn’t happened, so it was about time! Also, I was getting way too many requests to actually ignore it any longer. I apologise to anyone who requested this a while ago, but its here now.
This recipe is quite similar to my Nutella cupcakes, but why mess with something that isn’t broken. I do often say to people who ask if my cupcakes can be turned into cake that they can, usually you double it and split it between two 8″ tins for example, but as I was posting this as a standalone recipe (for those who actually search for it), I went for the classic three layer cake instead.
Similar recipes
I realise not many people want to bake a cake that is so big, but they look so much better in the pictures that I don’t see why I shouldn’t bake it as three layers. Besides, I have a lot of taste testers and they all need a share to make it fair… but if you do only want to make it two layers, then there is tips in the Notes section of the recipe on how to do this. Or, double my Nutella cupcakes as already mentioned.
I’m not sure if there is anyone out there who will read this blog who hasn’t heard of Nutella before, but there may be some people who don’t like it. I will admit that it isn’t the best thing on the planet to me, but I do enjoy it. I am more of a Biscoff kinda gal, which is why I love my Biscoff cake recipe so much, but this is basically just the Nutella version of that as well.
Nutella
People often ask if you should mix the Nutella directly into the cake mixture, but personally I never find the flavour survives the oven very well. A lot of the recipes that I use Nutella in have ended up being no-bake, such as my Nutella rocky road, or Nutella cheesecake. That’s why I keep the Nutella for the buttercream and the decoration, all the flavour stays bold and creamy instead of disappearing into the sponge.
Most of my Nutella recipes follow that rule: either the Nutella is stirred into something that doesn’t get baked (like cheesecake or frosting), or it’s drizzled on afterwards. Plus… because you’re already using a whole jar for the filling and topping, it avoids needing to buy a second one just to stir into the cake.
Piping
I thought that I should pipe on my Nutella Buttercream because it looks far prettier in my mind compared to smothering it on, but that is a complete option. I used this round piping tip to pipe on my buttercream, and its just so darn pretty, but decorating it like I do my Neapolitan Cake instead would have also worked well. I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to piping, so if I did mess it up halfway through, I would probably wipe it all off and start again, but sometimes it just works.
Piping is something that I learnt, and I would say every other baker in the world learnt, by just doing it. I realise some people struggle, but even the size of the actual piping tip can make a difference. I use quite large piping tips because I think it looks better, but it also makes it easier for the buttercream to actually come out. If you use a really small piping tip that you sometimes get in shops, it just won’t work and will look a bit like string.
Decoration
I used a drizzle of Nutella that I had warmed slightly to thin out, to make it easier, and some chopped hazelnuts to decorate it. It really doesn’t need too much as there is so much going on already flavour wise, I just like to make sure that there is some actual decoration going on. I’m not a plain person… I need a bit of show. It is entirely optional however, it just makes it look pretty for the pictures.
To finish off, I like to add a few extra little touches just for fun, maybe a tiny swirl of leftover Nutella buttercream in the gaps, or a few whole hazelnuts strategically placed to make it look extra indulgent. Even a light dusting of cocoa powder or icing sugar can elevate the look without overpowering the flavours. The beauty of this cake is that it’s already packed with richness, so you don’t need to go overboard, just a few thoughtful details make it look like a proper showstopper while keeping all the attention on that luscious Nutella goodness.
Tips & tricks
- This cake will last for 3 days once made.
- This cake is inspired by my Nutella cupcakes recipe post.
- I use this Round Piping Tip
- You can easily make a two layer cake by taking a third of the recipe away, and baking into two tins.
- I use these 8″ cake tins
- I use these parchment circles
Nutella Cake!
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 400 g unsalted butter
- 400 g light brown sugar
- 8 medium eggs
- 325 g self raising flour
- 75 g cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
For the Buttercream
- 250 g unsalted butter (room temp)
- 250 g Nutella
- 475 g icing sugar
Decoration/Extras
- 150 g Nutella
- chopped hazelnuts
Instructions
For the Cake
- Heat the oven to 180ºc/160ºc fan and line three 20cm/8inch cake tins with baking parchment – leave to the side.
- In a stand mixer, beat together the butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the flour, cocoa powder, eggs, baking powder and beat again briefly until combined. Try not to over beat the mixture!
- Divide the mixture between the three tins and smooth it over – bake for 25-30 minutes until a skewer comes out clean when poked, and when the cake springs back.
- Once baked, leave the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, and then remove and leave to cool fully on a wire rack. If the cake has domed slightly, leave the cake to cool upside down to flatten it slightly.
For the Buttercream
- Beat the butter on its own in a stand mixer or bowl for a couple of minutes so its really supple and soft.
- Add in the Nutella and beat again briefly so its basically combined.
- Add in 1/2 of the icing sugar and beat until its incorporated fully, and then add in the second half and repeat.
- If the mixture is really stiff, add in 1tbsp of boiling water at a time and beat in before adding enough to soften it slightly.
For the Decoration
- For each layer of the Nutella cake, add a sponge, and then either pipe on slather on some of the Nutella buttercream. Drizzle over some Nutella.
- Repeat each layer till you reach the top.
- Decorate with chopped hazelnuts and sprinkles!
Notes
- This cake will last for 3 days once made!
- This cake is inspired by my Nutella cupcakes recipe post!
- I use this Round Piping Tip
- You can easily make a two layer cake by taking a third of the recipe away, and baking into two tins.
- I use these 8" cake tins
- I use these parchment circles
Love your recipes! Do you think the cake and/or buttercream could be frozen in advance? Never quite sure on the logistics of freezing cakes
Hey, they can but the buttercream will need repeating anyway to make it fresh xx
Hi Jane,
I’m looking to make this cake soon but would like to pipe the Nutella buttercream around the whole cake and make it in to a drip cake instead.
Can you advise how much buttercream I’d need please? Do I just double the amount of buttercream or will I need more? Thank you x
Hi Jane.
Looking to bake this cake soon but I’d like to cover the cake in the Nutella buttercream as well and turn it in to a drip cake. How much buttercream will I need to do this please? Would I double the amount shown or would I need more than that? 🙂
Thank you x
Hey! Just double it yes xx
Could I swap the Nutella for white chocolate hazelnut spread? Thanks so much looks delicious!
Hi Jane if I doubled the buttercream recipe here would it cover the cake to be a semi naked cake ?
Thank you
Hey! Yes probably!x
Hi Jane,
My little sister is obsessed with all things. Nutella and she wants a Nutella cake for her birthday which is fast approaching.
What are the quantities for a 2 layer version of this cake and how long would you bake it for?
Thank you so much
Amelia x
Just use 2/3 of the recipe as close as you can, and then bake into two tins! You can use a 300g mix, or 250g, baking time is 25-35 minutes or so x
Made this at the beginning of the very first lockdown! I reduced the ingredients to make a two layer instead of three. Absolutely delicious!
Hi I want to make this for Easter for my nephews and niece can I cover the whole cake in frosting and put nutella in the middle? I want to make a pinata cake out of it??
Made this for my teenage son’s birthday cake. The lightest chocolate sponge I’ve ever made. He agreed that it was the best one yet. Even better than the wife’s. Thank you.
Hi Jane,
I was just wondering when you use your stand mixer for the buttercream what attachment you use?
Kind regards
Ally
I always use a paddle!
Made this for my nephews birthday, now I’m not a chocolate cake fan but this one was moist and delicious!
Hi I would like to ask if it is ok to change self rising flour to all-purpose flour? If it is possible to substitute self rising flour with all-purpose flour, do i still need to add any raising agents like the ingredient list shows? And if i want to make a 6 inches cake with 3 layers, whats the number of servings i should be choosing in the above ingredient table?
If using plain flour/all purpose flour you will need to use a raising agent as it will be missing – typically you use 2 level tsps per 150g of flour, whisked in well before using in the recipe. I wouldn’t add the extra from the recipe though. Instead of changing the servings (As that’s not a good way of doing it) I would just use 2/3 of the recipe x
Hi Jane,
I’d love to make this cake for my Niece’s first birthday!
I’m using a number 1 shaped tin with the following dimensions: 38.7 x 25.4 x 5 cm
Do you have any recommendations on how I should alter the recipe for this?
Thanks so much x
Hey!! So if you just want one layer (that is about a 1.5″ deep cake), you should be able to use the mix as it is – but if you want more than one, you may need to double it! x
Hi,
To cover this whole cake icing would I just double the ingredients so.. 500g butter, 500g Nutella and 950 icing?
thanks
I would use 1.5x the recipe personally – but you can always make double and then freeze any leftover!