What could be better than a soft, fluffy cake with the irresistible crunch of nuts? Here’s one of the ultimate autumn classics: Chocolate and Walnut Cake, which you can keep simple or enrich with figs, apples, pears—or any seasonal twist your imagination suggests!
Simple Chocolate and Walnut Cake
Every season has its signature recipes: if you loved our Peach, Amaretti and Chocolate Cake all summer, this walnut and chocolate delight will take you through to winter. It’s effortless to make—no stand mixer required: just a bowl, a hand whisk, and a knife!
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 100 g sugar
- 100 g Venchi dark chocolate
- 100 g vegetable oil
- 100 g milk
- 250 g plain flour
- 100 g walnut kernels
- ½ sachet baking powder
Prep time: 60 mins (20 min prep + 40 min baking)
Difficulty: Easy
Method – Soft Chocolate & Walnut Cake
- Whisk eggs and sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer until pale and frothy.
- Slowly add milk and oil in a steady stream while mixing.
- Sift flour and baking powder (don’t skip this—sifting is the secret to a fluffy cake!). Mix well to eliminate lumps.
- Roughly chop Venchi dark chocolate and walnuts, then fold into the batter.
Love less crunch? Blitz walnuts in a food processor—but in short pulses to avoid overheating the blades and releasing excess oil. - Transfer the mixture to a parchment-lined tin and bake at 180°C for about 40 minutes.
Want to make it extra special? Once baked, cover it with a dark chocolate glaze and serve with a little whipped cream on the side.
Irresistible Variations
- Switch the Chocolate: Use milk or white chocolate instead of dark for a sweeter flavour profile.
- Add Seasonal Fruit: For a rustic twist, mix chunks of ripe figs into the batter for a moist, sumptuous cake—perfect for breakfast!
- Experiment with Nuts: Combine walnuts with almonds, hazelnuts, or pistachios for a crunchy medley.
More Variants to Try This Autumn
Chocolate, Walnut & Coffee Cake
Perfect for an after-dinner treat: replace plain dark chocolate with Venchi Coffee Chocolate and adorn the top with a few whole coffee beans.
Apple, Walnut, Raisin & Chocolate Cake
A fragrant, family-friendly option: add grated apple for extra moisture, alongside chopped apples and a handful of raisins. Or try Chocolate, Pear & Walnut Cake with sweet, in-season pears for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Chocolate, Walnut & Amaretti Cake
One of the chicest variations: crush 40–50 g of amaretti biscuits and fold into the batter for a delicate almond note. For an adult twist, add a splash of liqueur—pure indulgence!
Vegan Chocolate & Walnut Cake
Easily adapted: omit the eggs, swap dairy milk for almond or soy milk, and adjust sugar to taste.