There’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm slice of recipe for chocolate walnut cake rich, decadent, and perfectly balanced with the crunch of toasted walnuts.
celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a well-deserved treat, this cake is a crowd-pleaser.
The combination of velvety chocolate and crunchy walnuts creates a delightful contrast in both flavor and texture, making it a dessert everyone will love.
What’s more, it’s surprisingly easy to make! With simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can create a cake that’s as impressive as it is delicious.
In this recipe, I’ll guide you through each step to ensure your recipe for chocolate walnut cake turns out moist, flavorful, and utterly irresistible. Let’s get baking!
How To Prepare Recipe For Chocolate Walnut Cake?
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: 45-50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Yield: 1 round cake (8-inch, 8 servings)
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Cake pan (8-inch round)
- Cooling rack
- Spatula
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped (you can toast them for extra flavor)
For the Chocolate Frosting (Optional):
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp whole milk (adjust for consistency)
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 8-inch round cake pan with butter or non-stick spray and lightly dust it with flour. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. These dry ingredients are the base of your cake and will ensure it rises beautifully.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. Add the milk and continue whisking until fully incorporated.
4. Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a hand whisk or an electric mixer on low speed to combine them. Make sure not to overmix—just enough to form a smooth batter.
5. Add Boiling Water
Here’s a little secret to making the cake extra moist: carefully add boiling water to the batter. The batter will be quite thin, but this is perfectly fine—it will create a wonderfully moist cake once baked.
6. Fold in Walnuts
Gently fold in the chopped walnuts with a spatula, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Every oven is different, so keep an eye on it towards the end!
8. Cool and Frost
Once the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack. This will help prevent it from breaking apart.
If you’re using the chocolate frosting, prepare it while the cake cools. Simply beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Gradually add milk until you reach your desired consistency.
Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting generously over the top. You can also sprinkle additional chopped walnuts on top for an extra touch.
Special Note
This recipe for chocolate walnut cake is highly customizable. You can enhance the chocolate flavor with chocolate chips or extra cocoa powder, or make it lighter by substituting oil with applesauce or Greek yogurt.
Swap walnuts for pecans, or omit nuts entirely for a nut-free version.
Nutrition Facts Recipe For Chocolate Walnut Cake
Calories: 350
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 40mg
Sodium: 180mg
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 28g
Protein: 5g
Serving Suggestions For Recipe For Chocolate Walnut Cake
1. This recipe for chocolate walnut cake is delicious on its own, but here are a few ways to elevate it further:
2. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a rich dessert.
3. Pair it with a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate for a cozy treat.
4. Add a few fresh berries, such as raspberries or strawberries, on the side to add a refreshing contrast to the sweetness.
Tips And Variations
1. Toasting Walnuts:
Toasting walnuts before adding them to the cake batter enhances their flavor and adds a nice crunch. Simply toast them in a dry pan over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
2. Make it a Double Layer Cake:
For a more dramatic presentation, you can divide the batter into two 8-inch pans and bake them separately. Then, stack the two layers with frosting in between.
3. Add Chocolate Chips:
If you’re a true chocolate lover, feel free to fold in some chocolate chips into the batter for an even more indulgent treat.
4. Gluten-Free Version:
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that can be used as a 1:1 replacement.
Can I Use Both Butter And Oil In Cake?
Yes, you can use both butter and oil in a cake! Combining butter and oil can give your cake the best of both worlds.
Butter adds rich flavor and a tender crumb, while oil helps keep the cake moist and soft. This combination is perfect for achieving a cake that’s both flavorful and moist.
Just be sure to adjust the amounts based on your recipe’s needs. If you want a slightly lighter texture, you can use more oil, while using more butter will give a richer taste.
Can Walnut Be Mixed With Milk?
Yes, walnuts can be mixed with milk! While walnuts themselves don’t dissolve in milk, they can be added to milk-based recipes, such as smoothies, cakes, or even homemade nut milk.
When mixed, walnuts infuse a rich, nutty flavor, and their healthy fats blend well with the creamy texture of milk.
If you’re making walnut milk, simply blend soaked walnuts with water and strain. Adding walnuts to milk for cooking or baking also enhances both the flavor and nutritional value, providing a great source of healthy fats, protein, and omega-3s.
Conclusion
This Recipe For Chocolate Walnut Cake is the perfect blend of indulgence and simplicity. With its rich chocolate flavor and the delightful crunch of walnuts, it’s a dessert that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your guests.
Baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself, this cake offers the perfect balance of textures and flavors.
I hope you enjoy making and, most importantly, eating this cake as much as I do. Don’t forget to experiment with variations and add your own personal touch baking is all about creativity!
So, gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and treat yourself to a slice of heaven. Happy baking, and I can’t wait to hear how it turns out!
Recipe For Chocolate Walnut Cake
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Cake pan (8-inch round)
- Cooling rack
- Spatula
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup walnuts chopped (you can toast them for extra flavor)
For the Chocolate Frosting (Optional):
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp whole milk adjust for consistency
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 8-inch round cake pan with butter or non-stick spray and lightly dust it with flour. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. These dry ingredients are the base of your cake and will ensure it rises beautifully.
Combine Wet Ingredients
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. Add the milk and continue whisking until fully incorporated.
Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a hand whisk or an electric mixer on low speed to combine them. Make sure not to overmix—just enough to form a smooth batter.
Add Boiling Water
- Here’s a little secret to making the cake extra moist: carefully add boiling water to the batter. The batter will be quite thin, but this is perfectly fine—it will create a wonderfully moist cake once baked.
Fold in Walnuts
- Gently fold in the chopped walnuts with a spatula, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Every oven is different, so keep an eye on it towards the end!
Cool and Frost
- Once the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack. This will help prevent it from breaking apart.
- If you’re using the chocolate frosting, prepare it while the cake cools. Simply beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Gradually add milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting generously over the top. You can also sprinkle additional chopped walnuts on top for an extra touch.