Chocolate Nut Cake

Ingredients:

– **For the Cake:**
– 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
– 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 2 cups granulated sugar
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup whole milk
– 1/2 cup vegetable oil
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1 cup boiling water

– **For the Glaze:**
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

– **For the Topping:**
– 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts, pecans, or peanuts)

 Instructions:

1. **Preheat Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
– Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans or one 9×13-inch pan.

2. **Prepare the Cake Batter:**
– In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.
– Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
– Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).

3. **Bake the Cake:**
– Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
– Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
– Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

4. **Prepare the Glaze:**
– In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
– Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth.
– Stir in the vanilla extract.

5. **Assemble the Cake:**
– Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread some of the glaze over the top.
– If using two layers, place the second layer on top and pour the remaining glaze over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
– If using a 9×13-inch pan, simply pour the glaze over the top of the cake.

6. **Add the Topping:**
– Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the top of the glazed cake.

7. **Serve:**
– Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving the cake.

Enjoy your delicious chocolate nut cake!