HAZELNUT AND COFFEE CREAM CAKE

Use a 25 cm. x 30 cm. pan.

Batter:

4 eggs

150 gr. (¾ cup) sugar

5 gr. (1 tsp.) vanilla extract

150 ml. (¾ cup) oil

180 ml. (¾ cup) sweet whipping cream 45 gr. (½ cup) coconut flakes

150 gr. (1½ cups) pecans or walnuts,

ground 125 gr. (1 cup) matzo meal 10 gr. (2 tsp.) baking powder

Cream:

10 gr. (2.5 tsp.) instant coffee

30 ml. (2 Tbsp.) boiling water

250 gr. mascarpone cheese

700 ml. sweet whipping cream

15 gr. (1 Tbsp.) amaretto or Frangelico

liqueur

60 gr. (½ cup) powdered sugar

20 gr. (2 Tbsp.) vanilla instant pudding

Chocolate ganache:

100 gr. milk chocolate

100 gr. bittersweet chocolate

120 ml. (½ cup) sweet whipping cream

Topping:

Pecans, halved

To prepare the batter, beat the eggs in a medium bowl. Add the sugar and beat until mixture is light and fluffy. Add the vanilla, oil and sweet cream. Mix well.

Add the coconut flakes, nuts, matzo meal and baking powder. Gently stir the mixture until smooth.

Pour the batter into a pan that is lined with baking paper and flatten. Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 160° for 25-30 minutes. Remove and let cool.

To prepare the cream, add the instant coffee to a glass, add the cup of boiling water and mix. Let the coffee cool.

Add the mascarpone cheese to the bowl of an electric mixer and mix slowly. Gently fold in the cooled coffee. Add the sweet cream, liqueur, powdered sugar, and instant pudding. Mix on medium speed until the cream becomes firm.

Spread the cream evenly on the cake and then place it in the fridge for two hours.

To prepare the chocolate ganache, add the two types of chocolate to a microwave safe bowl. Pour the sweet cream on top and heat in the microwave for a few seconds at a time, mixing in between each time until mixed well. Pour the ganache on top of the cream and flatten. Cover the cake well with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour to set.

Cut the cake into squares and place a half pecan on top of each piece.

Level of difficulty: Easy.

Time: 2 hours + 4 hours in fridge. Status: Dairy.