nutella cake

Have you heard about “The Smearing”?

No, it’s not some new horror movie. I really don’t like horror movies.

I mean, in the most basic of horror movies (i.e. PSAs about avoiding your basement), the characters are so asking for it.

If I were home alone and heard screeching/whispering/scratching/bubbling coming from my basement, the absolute last thing I would do is grab a flashlight and “investigate.” I mean why would I do that when I could just stay above ground level with Pinterest and a big mug of Bohemian Raspberry tea? What’s even worse is when they ask: “anyone there?” I mean, do you really want to know the answer to that question? Moral of the story, avoid unnecessary confrontation. Don’t check noises in your basement.

Now back on topic — if it’s not a new horror movie, what is “The Smearing”?

“The Smearing” was a campaign run a long time ago by the Ferrero company in Italy, where kids could bring a slice of bread to their local food store and get a free “smear” of Nutella. I’m patiently waiting for them to bring this service back. My day will come.

Is there anything in this world better than Nutella? Free Nutella. That’s all. A jar of this smooth, spreadable, chocolate-y brown gold is sold every 2.5 seconds (a baby is born every 8 seconds… do the math).

So to honor Nutella, one of the tastiest things that comes in a jar, I created this cake. There were no rules, just that it had to be absolutely redonkulous (because Nutella deserves that kind of respect…).

I used my favorite chocolate cake recipe for the layers (simple, velvety, with a nice cocoa bean-y flavor). Then things started to get scandalous. I slathered a thick, generous layer of Nutella between the cake layers, and then covered the whole thing with this dangerous Nutella buttercream (I always make a double batch in case… you know… I get hungry). While my first layer of frosting was chilling in the fridge, I went to the grocery store and ran up and down the aisles, just whacking every somewhat hazelnutty/chocolate-y thing I saw into my cart (ended up using the Hazelnut Ritter Sport and Ferrero Rocher). Then I piped some snazzy little Nutella buttercream ripples on the sides, and some big, vanilla rosettes on the top (to class up this monster of a cake). Finally, I smushed a little baby jar of Nutella in the middle. And my creation was born.

With love,
Erica

Ingredients
One, 2-layer batch of chocolate cake (here’s my favorite)
One jar Nutella
One batch of Nutella Buttercream
One batch of Vanilla Buttercream (this recipe without the Oreos)
Ritter Sport/Ferrero Rocher for decorating
melted chocolate for drizzling

Assembly

Place once cake layer onto a cake stand, plate, or cake board. With an offset spatula, evenly spread a generous amount of Nutella onto the layer. Place your second layer face down on top of the Nutella filling and place the cake in the fridge for a few moments until it firms up a bit. Meanwhile, whip up your two buttercreams (if you’re like me and only have one stand mixer, make the vanilla one first so it doesn’t get streaked with Nutella!).

With your offset spatula, carefully smooth a bit of frosting in a thin, even layer over the entire cake (to seal in the crumbs, a.k.a a crumb coat). Chill again until the frosting is firm (about 15-30 minutes).

Place the cake on a turntable or cake stand. Using a clean offset spatula, spread the Nutella buttercream in a smooth, even layer over the crumb coat. To make the “ripple effect” on the sides, fill a large pastry bag fitted with a medium round tip with Nutella buttercream. Pipe a vertical row of 4 dots about 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter. Once you have your line of dots, use a spoon to smush down one side of each dot to form a line of petals. Keep repeating this process until you make your way all around the cake. For a picture of this technique, click here.

Next, fill a clean piping bag fitted with a medium star tip with the vanilla buttercream. Pipe big swirls of frosting on top of the cake. Place a Ritter Sport or Ferrero Rocher in the middle of each swirl. Lastly, drizzle with melted chocolate and enjoy your crazy, Nutella creation!

© Cannella Vita. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without my permission/linking back to Cannella Vita. If you want to republish this recipe, please link back to this post.

Tags birthday, cake, chocolate, hazelnut, layer, nutella

39 thoughts on “nutella cake”

Anonymous August 30, 2013 at 6:18 pm

….is this real life
1. Cannella Vita September 1, 2013 at 5:33 am
  
  completely real life 😉
Aiza August 30, 2013 at 9:34 pm

How delicious does that look. Nutella pairs so good in cakes that you just can't help licking your fingers. You decorated it beautifully. Please do a post for those piping bags noobs who can't pipe to save their life. A few weeks ago, I made this pound cake with a nutella swirl. I shouted at someone to keep checking on it before going for a path. Well they removed it too early. But I couldn't help eating the sides which atleast were baked and the best thing I had ever eaten. The verdict? Nutella rocks 😉
1. Cannella Vita September 1, 2013 at 5:33 am
  
  Thank you so much! Perhaps I will do a video tutorial on piping later! 🙂 Nutella totally rocks!
Ibbs Quinton August 30, 2013 at 11:25 pm

What an absolutely stunning cake, it's such a work of art!
And it sure it tastes heavenly too, what a lucky boy
x x x
{The Lobster & Me}
1. Cannella Vita September 1, 2013 at 5:33 am
  
  Thanks! 🙂
The Cooking Actress August 31, 2013 at 1:28 am

1-I also hate horror movies
2-I WANT A FREE SMEAR OF NUTELLA
3-I looooove Nutella
4-WHY DON'T I HAVE THIS CAKE!!???? *sob* it's beeeeautiful!!!
1. Cannella Vita September 1, 2013 at 5:34 am
  
  1) Haha glad SOMEONE agrees with me on the horror movies
  2) Don't worry, our day will come
  3) preach
  4) try out the recipe! Let me know how it goes!
Zainab Mansaray August 31, 2013 at 2:44 am

I don't watch horror movies but this cake on the other hand I would love love to just stare at before having a slice (or two)
1. Cannella Vita September 1, 2013 at 5:35 am
  
  Thanks Zainab!
Minji August 31, 2013 at 5:27 am

I am so jealous of the birthday boy! Such a gorgeous cake 🙂 how big was the jar of Nutella that you used in the recipe btw?
1. Cannella Vita September 1, 2013 at 5:35 am
  
  I used the regular sized jars (not the awesome huge jars…) 🙂 Thanks Minji!
Neelia k August 31, 2013 at 5:41 am

That looks so good!I normally don't eat chocolate but I LOVEE nutella. I might try baking this soon! :O
1. Cannella Vita September 1, 2013 at 5:35 am
  
  Let me know if you do! Thanks Neelia!
Cupcake Crazy Gem August 31, 2013 at 10:38 am

I have no words!!! What an amazingly decadent creation! What a lucky 15 year old is all I can say, you've certainly done Nutella proud with this beauty!! Drooling at my screen!
1. Cannella Vita September 1, 2013 at 5:35 am
  
  Thank you so much!! <3
Maral September 1, 2013 at 7:36 pm

Wow! You did such a beautiful job decorating this cake. Do you think that the recipe would work out just as well with peanut butter? 🙂

http://letslivelavida.blogspot.com
1. Cannella Vita September 10, 2013 at 12:26 am
  
  Thank you so much Maral! I think that this would work with peanut butter (but you would probably have to add a little bit more sugar! You could garnish it with reeses/snickers and make a pb/chocolate cake! I'm sure that would be a huge hit!
Irela September 1, 2013 at 11:09 pm

Oh my that cake looks so professional! And wow, super yummy too. I am a huge Nutella freak, HUGE. I can eat it by the spoonfuls, I remember my mother would have to hide it from me lol You've got some amazing skills lady, seriously! ♥
1. Cannella Vita September 10, 2013 at 12:27 am
  
  Thank you so much Irela! Confession — sometimes I keep my nutella jar in the freezer so I can't dip into it as easily!
Sophia September 2, 2013 at 4:43 am

This looks absolutely INSANE. In the best way possible.
1. Cannella Vita September 10, 2013 at 12:27 am
  
  Thanks Sophia! Insane is my middle name 😉
Irene September 2, 2013 at 7:12 am

This cake… is seriously as over the top (in a good way) as 'over the top' can be. Yummmmo.
1. Cannella Vita September 10, 2013 at 12:28 am
  
  Thanks Irene! Go big or go home right? 🙂
Rachel @ Bakerita September 2, 2013 at 4:56 pm

That fact that this uses an entire jar of Nutella makes me happy, and I want to eat the whole thing right now! Pinned.
1. Cannella Vita September 10, 2013 at 12:28 am
  
  Thanks!
Hannah September 4, 2013 at 10:34 am

Blooooody hell, this is like heaven on earth. Your brother is so lucky, ANYONE would love being confronted with that incredible creation for their birthday…you win some serious 'Best Sister Ever' points 😀

http://jesuis-hannah.blogspot.co.uk
1. Cannella Vita September 10, 2013 at 12:28 am
  
  Thanks~!
Maddie September 14, 2013 at 11:18 pm

I just turned fifteen and would have loved to enjoy this even over my usual tiramisu recipe. I found this blog a while back and have to say I'm happy there is at least one other teenager in the DC area who actually enjoys cooking! Glad I found this site!
1. Cannella Vita September 16, 2013 at 11:57 pm
  
  Are you also a D.C. teenager who loves baking? Shoot me an email!
MaryAnn September 15, 2013 at 7:19 am

I can't wait to make this cake! I love Nutella too, actually had Nutella on toast just this afternoon. But I think I will put Baci on top. If you have never had it you must try it. It's an Italian candy that has hazelnuts in it. Very yummy!
1. Cannella Vita September 16, 2013 at 11:56 pm
  
  Oh yum! I love Baci! Especially the little messages on the inside! Send me a picture of your cake! I would love to see!
Anonymous January 20, 2014 at 5:20 am

…
…
*silence*
…
…
…i think i love you
1. Cannella Vita January 21, 2014 at 4:12 pm
  
  <3
Anonymous January 27, 2014 at 1:19 am

So YOU'RE the mastermind (and genius) behind this epic cake! I've been seeing pictures of it all around and never found the recipe until I stumbled across your yoga post…which led me to your blog…which led me to your Facebook page…which led me to this amazing discovery. The point is, I NEVER post on people's blogs, but seeing that you're so young and have already accomplished so much (not to mention I love the way your blog is laid out and styled, as well as your awesome posts and even more awesome recipes) you truly are an inspiration. My second passion aside from design is baking, so I'm definitely coming back to your blog to try out each and every one of your masterpieces.

Much luck to you!!

Gabbi 🙂
1. Cannella Vita January 27, 2014 at 2:34 pm
  
  I am currently sitting in the library at school, and this comment made me smile ear-to-ear! Thank you so much for the kind words! 🙂 The internet is such a funny place (that you would find my blog through my article on yoga!). I hope you stop by soon, and feel free to send me an email or message to my facebook page to keep in touch!
2. Anonymous January 28, 2014 at 11:57 pm
  
  I know right haha, and I most definitely will! 🙂
3. Cannella Vita January 29, 2014 at 12:33 am
  
  Thank you! I look forward to hearing from you in the future!
Valentina Celant July 11, 2014 at 8:55 pm

Just found your blog and I'm obsessed! This cake is ridiculous {and totally up my alley}. I can't get over how adorable that tiny jar of Nutella is! I'm about to thoroughly creep on your blog and Pin a bunch of stuff.

{Valentina | The Baking Fairy}

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