Hazelnut Cake with Stracciatella Frosting and Dried Cranberries

This cake is a real pleasure for the senses: delicious hazelnut base combined with sweet and sour dried cranberries and rich stracciatella frosting! Ideal for every special occasion, this cake will be a show-stopper on every party.

If you like hazelnuts, don't miss also the Hazelnut Mousse Cake and the Carrot Cake with Almonds and Hazelnuts!

What kind of cake is that

This cake is an amazing combination of soft hazelnut layers, somehow inspired by My Grandma's Walnut Cake, covered by stracciatella frosting and with dried cranberries in between. It creates a pleasant burst of tastes and textures in every bite which is worth trying.

And if you are new to the Italian word "stracciatella", when used for desserts it usually means creamy white frosting full of hard but thin chocolate pieces. This is exactly the frosting of this cake in a nutshell and I will explain you now how to make it.

For the hazelnut layers:

• raw hazelnuts - you need to grate them finely in a food processor
• brown sugar - better for the texture than white sugar
• melted butter - this cake uses melted butter instead of soft as it helps the texture become denser but softer at the same time.
• 2 large eggs
• plain yogurt - contributes to the wonderfully soft texture
• cake flour - you can use also all-purpose flour
• baking powder and baking soda - a powerful combo which also helps soften the texture
• salt and vanilla - for excellent flavor. Yes, salt enhances the flavor, in case you didn't know it.

For the stracciatella frosting:

• mascarpone - my favorite frosting ingredient
• whipping cream, cold
• vanilla extract
• dark chocolate - to create the nice stracciatella pieces
• powdered sugar
• dried cranberries - a key ingredient so don't swap them with another dried fruit

To make these layers you will beat the melted butter with the sugar first and then add the eggs. This is not a usual preparation method for most types of cakes, but it results in a soft and pleasant crumb which in combination with the hazelnuts is really nice.

It is very important to not open the oven until the cake is set, otherwise it might sink from the cold air entering the oven. Signs that the cake is set (usually after 35-40 minutes): the top has raised evenly and a nice brown color, the sides look baked too and there is a very nice intense flavor of baking in the kitchen.

Preparing the frosting is easy: you need to whip the cream first and then the mascarpone with powdered sugar and vanilla. Combine the two mixtures using a rubber spatula. I prefer this method here as adding whipped cream to mascarpone results in a fluffier frosting than beating them together.

To make the chocolate stracciatella pieces, you need to melt chocolate and spread it on a sheet of parchment paper. Then place the pan in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. Break the hardened chocolate into small pieces and mix them with a spatula into the frosting.

How to decorate the cake

This stracciatella cake will benefit from a decoration of whole and broken hazelnuts, chocolate sprinkles or pieces and dried cranberries. If you happen to have fresh or candied cranberries, they would be a great option too, especially if you make the cake around the winter holidays.

It is hard to describe the taste explosion that each bite of this cake brings. That's one of the most incredibly delicious combinations that you could ever imagine!

While each piece melts in the mouth its flavours merge together into a lovely sensation. Like the Lemon Pistachio Cake with Apricot Frosting, this cake is another delicious symphony of tastes!

If you want to prepare an incredibly delicious and pretty cake full of natural flavours and rich textures, try this Hazelnut Cake with Stracciatella Frosting and Dried Cranberries. The feeling of joy that each bite will bring you is totally worth it!

If you've made it, please don't forget to leave your feedback. I can't wait to hear how it went!

Looking for more nutty desserts? Here is a selection I recommend:

• Hazelnut Linzer Cookies
• Chocolate Dipped Hazelnut Madeleines
• Cantucci
• Garash Cake
• Walnut Sponge cake with Chocolate Chip Frosting
• Pistachio Chocolate Cheesecake