This Chocolate Nougat Cake is a nostalgic creation from the golden era of American home baking. With a soft and moist crumb enriched by cocoa and buttermilk, it's lightened with egg whites and deepened by chocolate and red food coloring, offering a visually rich and tender cake that’s a feast for both the eyes and palate. The inclusion of chopped nuts gives it a delightful texture and old-fashioned character. This is a cake you'd expect at a church supper or family gathering, proudly presented on a pedestal cake stand.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups sifted flour
- 1½ cups sugar
- 2½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ⅓ cup shortening
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 2½ oz chocolate (melted)
- ½ tsp red food coloring
- ⅔ cup nuts (finely chopped)
Instructions
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
- Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
- Add shortening and milk to the dry mixture. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Chocolate
- Add eggs, melted chocolate, and red food coloring. Beat an additional 2 minutes.
Step 4: Fold in Nuts
- Stir in chopped nuts by hand until evenly incorporated.
Step 5: Bake
- Pour batter into two greased and floured 8-inch round cake pans.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes before turning out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Tips
- Toast the nuts lightly before folding in for deeper flavor.
- Substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds if desired.
- Use natural cocoa powder if replacing part of the chocolate for a deeper cocoa note.
- Line cake pans with parchment for easier removal.
- Let melted chocolate cool slightly before mixing to avoid curdling.
- Add a pinch of salt to enhance chocolate flavor.
- Frost with classic chocolate buttercream or marshmallow frosting for a true nougat effect.
- This cake freezes well when unfrosted.
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Ideal as a make-ahead cake for gatherings.
Nutrition
Calories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 128mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 75IUVitamin C: 0.05mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 1mg
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