Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pans
  • ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
  • 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
  • 1 ½ cups (3 sticks or 340g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 6 cups (720g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¾ cup (225g) Nutella
  • ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Chopped hazelnuts (Optional)
  • Chocolate shavings (Optional)
  • Nutella drizzle (Optional)

Instructions:

  1. Grease and flour cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry.
  5. Stir in boiling water until batter is thin.
  6. Divide batter evenly among prepared cake pans.
  7. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.
  9. Beat butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth.
  10. Beat in Nutella, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt until creamy.
  11. Level cake layers if necessary. Place one layer on a cake stand, spread with frosting. Repeat with remaining layers.
  12. Frost the top and sides of the cake.
  13. Garnish with chopped hazelnuts, chocolate shavings, and/or Nutella drizzle.
  14. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Nutella Layer Cake and Happy birthday!