Quinn’s birthday has lasted all month. Seriously. It started at the first of the month when, after months of waiting out the high-def war, he got a Blu-ray player. Then, we spent a week in New York. Granted, he was there for a conference, but it’s New York. And, he got to pick out a new laptop bag at Jack Spade. We got back home the night before his birthday. The next night, we went to one of our favorite semi-local restaurants, and he got another present. Then, this weekend we had the family over for dinner and more presents.
And this cake. I let him pick out his birthday dessert every year. Last year’s tiramisu cake was delicious, but sort of a pain to make (and keep together). This year, he picked a dessert featuring one of my favorite combinations - chocolate and hazelnuts.
The only baking involved is with the crust. It is a simple yet delicious chocolate hazelnut shortbread. I think we could have just served the crust and been happy. But, I kept going with the rest of the recipe. I made everything but the ganache the night before and kept the cake in the refrigerator. The glaze was quick and easy, which was great considering everything else I was cooking for our meal.
There really aren’t adequate words for how much we liked this cake. I’ve already said how delicious the crust is. The chocolate mousse component was rich and creamy. The Nutella added just enough of a twist to the chocolate to give it a little extra interest. The ganache was just rich enough to perfectly complement the other chocolates.
Everyone loved this cake. There was hardly any left over. In fact, we had to put a few pieces away quickly - for photography purposes only, of course. After the photo shoot, well, we couldn’t let it go to waste, now could we?
42 responses so far ↓
1 maggie // Mar 30, 2008 at 10:30 pm
holy crap, that looks amazing. i just showed my honey and he wants it for his birthday, too. (recently he’s been obsessed with nutella.)
2 sandra // Mar 31, 2008 at 1:04 am
Wow! Gorgeous..
3 Rosa // Mar 31, 2008 at 3:22 am
Your cake looks wonderful and extremely delicious! Wow!
Cheers,
Rosa
4 Ginny // Mar 31, 2008 at 5:29 am
It looks amazing! so delicious! nothing like gooey chocolate and hazelnut!
5 Deb Schiff // Mar 31, 2008 at 7:01 am
Gorgeous photos. Love the last one with the fork.
6 Aran from Cannelle Et Vanille // Mar 31, 2008 at 7:21 am
Those photos… my goodness! Amazing looking mousse!
7 Dianne // Mar 31, 2008 at 7:31 am
Oh wow…That looks amazing!
8 a. grace // Mar 31, 2008 at 7:47 am
i’m not surprised that you had to stash a couple of slices for the sake of photography. i, for one, greatly appreciate it. i admire your restraint in not devouring the aforementioned slices before the pictures could be taken.
9 jennifer // Mar 31, 2008 at 9:21 am
Thanks, Maggie! Hope y’all enjoy the cake.
Thanks, Sandra!
Rosa, it was extremely good. Thanks!
Ginny, I agree. I am a huge fan of chocolate and hazelnut.
Deb, that’s one of my favorite shots, too. Thanks!
Thanks, Aran!
Dianne, those were my feelings as well. I was very pleased with how it turned out.
a. grace, it was tough, but we managed to have a little bit of restraint. All in the name of BoB!
10 amanda // Mar 31, 2008 at 9:31 am
the best part about this cake is the way the mousse sinks in to the crust and the ganache. and I bet the hazelnut adds a nice nutty aftertaste. Great job with your pictures:)
11 Kate // Mar 31, 2008 at 9:54 am
pure chocolate heaven. Makes me go weak in my knees.
12 deb // Mar 31, 2008 at 9:58 am
I knew immediately what this was! Because 1) the photo from Gourmet on the cover of that issue is my favorite, ever from the magazine; 2) I’ve had this cake bookmarked for so long, and still haven’t matched it with a time and the excuse to bake it. I’m so happy to hear it was a raging success!
13 Cindy // Mar 31, 2008 at 10:36 am
Oh My! I would hurt myself on this dessert!
14 Lindsey (Cafe Johnsonia) // Mar 31, 2008 at 10:40 am
That looks positively sinful and divine.
15 Patricia Scarpin // Mar 31, 2008 at 10:45 am
I can see why there was nothing left, Jen! It looks so delicious!
Quinn is a smart guy.
16 Sandie (Inn Cuisine) // Mar 31, 2008 at 11:31 am
If the title “Chocolate-Glazed Hazelnut Mousse Cake” wasn’t enough to send me over temptation’s edge, your photos certainly were!
Dreamy… absolutely dreamy…
I’ve been craving chocolate as of late, and this is soooo being made. Thanks for sharing.
17 My Sweet & Saucy // Mar 31, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I love that flavor combo…this is a must bake! Thanks!
18 megan // Mar 31, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Ohhh, now thats to die for!
19 Tara // Mar 31, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I am so excited to make this! Thanks Jennifer! Love your blog by the way - I’m so happy I discovered it! I never knew there were so many people out there who love to bake as I do
20 RecipeGirl // Mar 31, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Looks pretty darn amazing. I don’t quite like hazelnuts as a nut to just munch on, but I think I might like your cake
21 michelle @ TNS // Mar 31, 2008 at 1:18 pm
that looks fricking awesome! hazelnut and chocolate is my favorite dessert combination.
22 Nan (and Jim) // Mar 31, 2008 at 2:05 pm
This dessert was absolutely wonderful. The hazelnut taste is just enough-not too much and not too little. I don’t know how you could have made the texture any smoother! It was just perfect!
23 brilynn // Mar 31, 2008 at 4:11 pm
That is one awesome cake! I’d love a big slice!
24 Fran Z // Mar 31, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Pornalicious!!! I must try this!
25 Nick // Mar 31, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Whoa, this is my first time here and this looks ridiculous. I may have to start frequenting this site more often. Thanks for the visual stimulation!
- The Peanut Butter Boy
26 jennifer // Mar 31, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Oh, wow! Thanks, everyone!
Deb, don’t wait for an excuse - just make it! I will anxiously await your photos and thoughts.
Patricia, Quinn is very smart indeed. He married me, right?
Tara and Nick, welcome!
27 Sharona May // Apr 1, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Fantastic! I love it. Just cooked with hazelnuts the other night. Such a nice flavor.
Thanks, sharona may
28 Indigo // Apr 1, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Oh my days. My best friend in the world is the hugest cheesecake/chocolate/hazelnut fan, and I think I just found her birthday cake. Stunning.
29 jennifer // Apr 1, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Thanks, Sharona May! I would hazelnuts right behind pecans for my favorite.
Indigo, let me know what you think if you make it.
30 Nina // Apr 2, 2008 at 8:20 am
Chocolate, more chocolate and hazelnuts - nothing wrong about this cake….fantastic!!!
31 jennifer // Apr 2, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Thanks, Nina!
32 Tarah // Apr 2, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Mmm, that looks to die for. I look forward to making this in the near future :]
33 Tartelette // Apr 2, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I wish it were my fork…and my slice of cake! Oh wow! This is so going on the baking list! Fabulous.
P.S: I solved the mistery intruder’s identity and gave her a piece of my mind
34 Katie // Apr 3, 2008 at 12:10 am
That looks divine! I like how it uses hazelnuts, most recipes I ahve seen like this always use almonds, but this sounds fab.
35 Sarah // Apr 3, 2008 at 9:58 am
I just recently found your site & I already love it! I’ve bookmarked at least 4 recipes.
I just bought some hazelnuts & I’ve been dying to make mousse, so this recipe might be attempted sometime soon!
36 jennifer // Apr 3, 2008 at 10:03 am
Thanks, Tartelette! Good to know you’ve figured out your mystery. Very strange.
Thanks, Katie! I don’t bake much with almonds. I mostly use pecans and hazelnuts, although I do try to branch out every once in a while.
Sarah, I’m glad you found me! Let me know what you think of the cake if you make it.
37 Christine // Apr 4, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Delicious, I love nutella. The photos are amazing, the mousse the ganache. Oh I want a piece!
38 jennifer // Apr 4, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Thanks, Christine. Sadly, this is one dessert that didn’t last long. We do remember it fondly, though.
39 Angie // Apr 4, 2008 at 6:19 pm
This looks absolutely delish!
40 jennifer // Apr 5, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Thanks, Angie!
41 kimmie // Apr 14, 2008 at 7:10 pm
first time here and it’s such a fine place!
i found that same recipe a couple weeks ago and i’ve been dying to try it out! i’m so glad to read it was a great success. now i really can’t wait to make it!
thanks for the insight.
42 Chocolate shavings // May 1, 2008 at 6:04 pm
That looks really good, and I love the pictures!
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