Triple Layer Hazelnut Spice Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• CAKE:
• 2 1/2 cups dried fruit, such as raisins or apricots and/or cherries chopped to the size of raisins
• 1 cup rum or apple juice
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 6 ounces hazelnuts (1 1/4 cups), toasted* and finely chopped
• BUTTERCREAM
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (3 sticks), softened
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• Homemade Lemon Curd or 1/2 cup purchased lemon curd and 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• CANDIED HAZELNUTS (OPTIONAL)
• 16 hazelnuts
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon light-color corn syrup