Chocolate-Praline Layer Cake

Name: Chocolate-Praline Layer Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Cuisine: Comfort Food Desserts, Comfort Food Recipes
Ingredients: 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup butter, cubed; 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream; 3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans; CAKE:; 1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size); 4 eggs; 1 cup fat-free milk; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk; 1 package (3.4 ounces) cook-and-serve chocolate pudding mix; TOPPING:; 1-3/4 cups heavy whipping cream; 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; Chocolate curls and heart-shaped chocolate candies

For the chocolate-lover in all of us, this dessert is the one. Packed with pecans, the luscious layers are topped off with heart-shaped chocolate candies. Every day is Valentine’s Day with this cake!—Kathy Engler, Brookfield, Wisconsin

Ingredients

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
CAKE:
1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size)
4 eggs
1 cup fat-free milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 package (3.4 ounces) cook-and-serve chocolate pudding mix
TOPPING:
1-3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate curls and heart-shaped chocolate candies

Directions

In a small heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter and cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Pour into two greased 9-in. round baking pans and sprinkle with pecans.
In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, eggs, milk, butter, sweetened condensed milk and pudding mix; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Transfer to prepared pans.
Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form.
Place one cake layer on a serving plate, praline side up. Spread with half of the whipped cream. Top with remaining cake layer; spread remaining whipped cream over top. Garnish with chocolate curls and candies.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice (calculated without garnishes): 674 calories, 41g fat (22g saturated fat), 170mg cholesterol, 506mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (55g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.

Originally published as Chocolate Praline Layer Cake in Country Woman February/March 2012

Reviews

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Average Rating:

lrmillers

Feb 18, 2012

This was a Great hit with my Girlfriends Valentine Supper! They want me to bring it to the next get together!
LindaKlisle

Jan 12, 2012

Made this cake and everyone loved it. For the Sweet Creamed Whipped frosting I used Cool Whip mixed with vanilla and powdered sugar added. Yum Yum