Modern Chocolate Nougat Cake

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter, softened (For the cake batter)
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar (For the cake batter)
• 2 Large Eggs (For the cake batter)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (For the cake batter)
• 1.5 cups All-Purpose Flour (For the cake batter)
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (For the cake batter)
• 0.75 cup Milk (For the cake batter)
• 0.5 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (For the cake batter)
• 0.25 cup Unsalted Butter (For the nougat frosting)
• 2 cups Powdered Sugar (For the nougat frosting)
• 0.25 cup Milk (For the nougat frosting)
• 0.5 teaspoon Almond Extract (For the nougat frosting)
• 0.5 cup Chopped Almonds (Optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. 2In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. 3Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. 4In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder.
5. 5Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. 6Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. 7Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8. 8While the cake is cooling, prepare the nougat frosting. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Gradually add the milk and almond extract, mixing until light and fluffy.
9. 9Once the cake is completely cool, frost the top and sides with the nougat frosting. Garnish with chopped almonds, if desired.