Orange Hazelnut Molasses Cake

O,Many years ago, I spotted a version of this Orange Hazelnut Molasses Cake in a German cooking magazine.  So now I’ve added a few tweaks and ingredients and am super happy with the result. I love this cake for a fall celebration. Also, it works beautifully on any Thanksgiving dessert table.

There are three things I especially love about this cake. Firstly,  no electric mixer is needed. Everything is hand-mixed in bowls. That’s the first good part.

Secondly, there is the cake itself. It’s not too sweet. However, it is packed with lovely flavor. Furthermore, this is a perfect dessert for your Thanksgiving table.

Thirdly, the best part about this Orange Molasses Hazelnut Cake is the orange sugar crunch on top. The cake is doused in an orange juice and powdered sugar mixture right after it comes out of the oven.

A bonus good thing is you can make this cake two days before your dinner or event, and it stays fresh.

A few separate steps, but oh so easy to create

To create this Orange Molasses Hazelnut Cake, first heat the hazelnuts in a naked skillet. Then, when they are cool enough to handle, roll them in a towel to remove their skins. Return them to the pan and toast until golden brown and fragrant.  Toasting the hazelnuts really brings out their flavor.

Whisk the dry ingredients of this Orange Molasses Hazelnut Cake together in a bowl with fresh orange zest. Set this aside. Then, in the same skillet, melt the butter, molasses, and Demerara sugar together.  Stir gently until well combined. Remove from the heat and fold in sour cream. Now let the mixture cool, then whisk in the sour cream. Add the dry ingredients in thirds. Transfer the batter to a springform pan.

Chop the toasted hazelnuts and toss them with brown sugar and some ground nutmeg. Press the nuts into the top of the batter.  For the final touch, create the orange sugar crust.  Whisk together orange juice and powdered sugar, and pour it over the top. Let cool. Then cut and serve.

Print

Orange Hazelnut Molasses Cake

Course Coffee Break, Dessert, Snack, Tea time

Cuisine American, German

Keyword fall desserts, fall recipes, Hazelnut cake, Molasses cake, orange cake

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Servings 8

Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole raw hazelnuts
• 1 orange
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown or demerara sugar
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Heat the hazelnuts in a naked skillet until the skins have loosened. Transfer to a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, roll them with your hands to separate the skins.

2. Return the hazelnuts to the pan and toast over medium heat. Set aside.

3. Zest and juice the orange.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange zest, flour, baking powder, ground ginger, and salt and set aside.

5. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter molasses and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Stir to combine everything well.

6. Remove from heat and fold in the sour cream.

7. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  Grease an 8 or 9" springform pan and line the bottom with baking paper. Grease the baking paper as well.

8. When the liquid sugar mixture has cooled, whisk in the beaten eggs.

9. Add the dry ingredients in thirds and combine thoroughly.

10. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.

11. Chop the toasted hazelnuts into small pieces and mix with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and nutmeg.

12. Sprinkle the hazelnut pieces evenly over the top of the batter. 

13. Bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

14. Whisk together the orange juice and powdered sugar.

15. When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately pour the orange juice/sugar mixture evenly over the top.

16. Let the cool completely before de-panning. Slice and serve. 

So, do you like this Orange Molasses Hazelnut Cake? Then also check out some of these other delicious recipes:

SOUR CHERRY MOLASSES COOKIES

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT MERINGUE COOKIES