Description
Create a stunning modern masterpiece with this Fault Line Cake, featuring three layers of tender yellow cake paired with a rich Nutella Swiss Meringue Buttercream. This forgiving decorating technique allows you to produce a bakery-quality showstopper that highlights beautiful textures and delicious hazelnut flavors.
Ingredients
- Cake flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter (room temperature)
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar
- 6 Large eggs
- Canola oil
- Buttermilk
- Vanilla extract
- Egg whites
- Sugar (for buttercream)
- Cream of tartar
- Unsalted butter cubes (for buttercream)
- Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare three 8-inch cake pans with cooking spray and parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream the room-temperature butter with the granulated and brown sugars in a stand mixer for 3 to 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- On low speed, add eggs one at a time, followed by the canola oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract; beat until smooth.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, then divide the batter between the pans and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Whisk egg whites, sugar, salt, and cream of tartar over simmering water until the mixture reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Whip the mixture on high speed for 8 to 10 minutes until a glossy meringue forms and the bowl feels room temperature.
- Switch to the paddle attachment and gradually add butter cubes on medium-high speed before swirling in the Nutella.
- Stack the cakes with frosting, apply a crumb coat, and then create a fault line by adding thick frosting to the top and bottom thirds, leaving a gap in the center.
Notes
To ensure your Swiss Meringue Buttercream is perfectly stable, make sure your mixing bowl and whisk are completely grease-free before starting the meringue. If you notice your cake layers have a slight dome after baking, simply use a serrated knife to level them off once they are fully cooled for a more stable stack.
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American