Hazelnut Cake

Perfect treat for hazelnut lovers.  To make a chocolate hazelnut cake, add 100 gms grated chocolate to the sponge mixture.  It taste absolutely divine especially with tea.

Ingredients :

For the sponge :

1. Ground Hazelnuts - 50 gms
2. Chopped hazelnuts - 50 gms
3. Butter / Margarine - 200 gms
4. Sugar - 200 gms
5. Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
6. A pinch of salt
7. Rum - 1 tbsp 
8. Eggs - 3 nos
9. Plain flour - 150 gms ( 11/2 cups)
10. Baking powder - 2 level tsp

For the glaze : (optional)

1. Milk chocolate - 150 gms
2. Cooking oil - 1 tbsp
3. Chopped hazelnuts for sprinkling - 50 gms

Method :

1.   To make the sponge, roast the hazelnuts lightly in a pan without fat, stirring all the time,  Grease & flour the baking pan.  Preheat the oven about 180 C.

2.   Whisk the butter until soft.  Add the sugar, vanilla essence, salt & rum little by little.  Whisk in the eggs one after the other, for about 1/2 min each on the highest setting.

3.   Mix together the flour & baking powder, stir in the roasted hazelnuts & whisk briefly in two instalments on the medium settings.  Spoon the cake mixture into the cake tin & bake for about 45 mins or until done.  Allow the cake to cool.

4.   To make the glaze, coarsely chop the chocolate & melt with the oil over low heat stirring all the time.  Coat the cooled cake with the chocolate glaze and sprinkle chopped hazelnuts on top.

Serve with tea