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      Tiramisu Semifreddo

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      Tiramisu Semifreddo is a mashup of two classic Italian desserts in frozen form. Frozen espresso mousse is surrounded by soft lady fingers and topped with sweet mascarpone cream.

      I’ve decided that this is my new favorite dinner party dessert for summer. It’s so decadent, but also silky and light in texture. And it’s so easy to make ahead! Assemble it days in advance and store it in the freezer, then bring it out when you need a beautiful ending to a meal.

      First thing, get yourself a couple of packages of soft lady fingers from your grocery store’s bakery. Line them up around the sides of a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Cover the bottom, too!

      Next whip up some egg yoks, sugar, and espresso in a double boiler. This makes a quick custard base for the espresso mousse. I always keep instant espresso powder on hand because I’m a Tiramisu fanatic (see here, here, and here). It’s so good in this recipe so I recommend using it! Delallo is a great brand of espresso powder.
      After the custard base cools, you’ll fold it with some lightly sweet whipped cream.

      Next, pour all that billowy espresso mousse into the lined loaf pan. It will fill the pan almost to the very top. Give the pan a few taps on the counter top to knock out any air pockets that might be hiding. Now its time to freeze! Three or four hours later, you’re ready to top it with fluffy mascarpone cream.

      Heavy cream and mascarpone cheese along with a little powdered sugar makes the perfect topping. But I couldn’t stop there.

      Indulge a little more!
      I couldn’t help myself! Tiramisu always needs a chocolate element (unless it’s my Quick Berry Tiramisu) so I went all in with a chocolate ganache, chocolate shavings, chopped almonds, and chocolate-covered coffee beans. The latter is courtesy of Sconza. I can’t say enough good things about their products. They are one of my favorite food gifts to give to colleagues, friends, family – everybody!

      Semifreddo means partially frozen. So if you’re expecting a frozen rock hard brick of dessert, then think again! Even well-frozen your knife will meet little resistance. The mousse stays soft. The texture is just so silky, and the lady fingers make it cake-like. And it becomes cloud-like as a slices warm to room temperature.

      Let’s end all of our summer dinners this way, okay? This dessert tastes restaurant-quality, and it’s not hard to make. The video below will help you get better acquainted with assembly.

      Tiramisu Semifreddo

      Heather Baird

      This restaurant quality dessert can be made a few days ahead and stored in your freezer. Enjoy the classic flavors of Tiramisu in frozen form.

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      Prep Time 25 minsCook Time 10 mins4 hours freeze time 4 hrsTotal Time 35 mins

      Course DessertCuisine Italian

      Servings 8

      Equipment9×5 inch loaf pan
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Semifreddo2 tablespoons instant espresso powder1 tablespoon hot water30 soft lady fingers4 large egg yolks1/2 cup granulated sugar1/4 cup dark rum1/4 teaspoon fine grain salt2 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream4 oz. mascarpone cheese5 tablespoons powdered sugarChocolate toppings1/2 cup heavy whipping cream1 cup finely chopped semisweet chocolate1/3 cup chocolate shavings1/4 cup chopped chocolate-covered espresso beans such as Sconza2 tablespoons chopped almonds
      Instructions SemifreddoDissolve the espresso powder in the hot water; set aside.Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap that overhangs all sides of the pan. Line the sides and the bottom of the pan with the lady fingers, standing up vertically around the sides of the pan. Tear small pieces of lady fingers and press into gaps in the bottom of the pan (see video).Fill a saucepan with 1 inch of water and bring to a simmer. Set a large metal bowl on top and add the egg yolks, sugar, rum, and salt. Add the espresso mixture. Whisk until the mixture thickens like custard. The mixture is ready when an instant read thermometer registers 160F. Remove from the heat and cool 5 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer and beat with the whip attachment until the bowl feels cool to the touch, about 5 more minutes.Beat 1 3/4 cups of the heavy cream on medium-high until slightly thickened. Add 3 tablespoons of the powdered sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the beaten espresso custard mixture. Spoon the mixture into the lined loaf pan. Smooth the top and tap on the counter top to remove air bubbles. Fold in the plastic wrap and freeze until solid, about 4 hours or overnight.Beat the remaining cream on medium-high speed gradually adding the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar. Add mascarpone a little at a time while beating. Whip to stiff peaks. Spread the top of the frozen semifreddo with the whipped mascarpone cream. Return to the freezer.Chocolate ganache and toppingsHeat the heavy cream in a saucepan until steaming but not boiling. Add in chopped chocolate. Let stand one minute and then whisk together. Let cool until thickened yet still pourable, about 15-20 minutes.Remove the semifreddo from the pan from the overhanging plastic. Unwrap and place on a serving tray. Cover with chocolate ganache. Sprinkle on chocolate shavings, chocolate-covered espresso beans, and almonds. Serve immediately or return to the freezer until set. When the chocolate is set, cover in plastic wrap until ready to serve.

      Keyword espresso mousse, mascarpone cream, soft lady fingers

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Cheesecake Factory Copycat Celebration Cheesecake

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      Perfect for any party, the Celebration Cheesecake is a star on The Cheesecake Factory’s dessert menu. Now you can make this copycat version at home!

      Get your sprinkles ready! This copycat dessert was inspired by The Cheesecake Factory’s famous Celebration Cheesecake, which debuted on their menus in 2017. It has a whopping 8 layers of flavor – actually 9 if you count the exterior. And lots of sprinkles. I love the original, but it’s been a goal of mine to figure out a scratch-made version. And here it is – The Cheesecake Factory Copycat Celebration Cheesecake.

      I know it looks like a lot of work, but it’s actually not that hard to make. First, let me give you an overview of the layers from top to bottom.
      Cream cheese frostingClassic cheesecakeBlue vanilla mousseFunfetti cakeChocolate mousseClassic CheesecakeStrawberry mousseFunfetti cake
      This cake looks like sweet overload, but it’s not the sugar coma you might expect. All the layers are well balanced. It helps that the mousse is fluffy and the cake is just sweet enough. It is rich, though! (But perhaps not as rich as this copycat cheesecake I made in 2011!)
      1. Prepare strawberry mousse. 2. Spread it in the pan. 3. Prepare chocolate mousse. 4. Layer one cheesecake over the strawberry mousse. 5. Pour chocolate mousse over cheesecake layer. 6. Spread chocolate layer evenly and freeze solid.
      Let’s get into it!
      To get started, the thin crustless cheesecake layers should be made first and frozen solid. As a result, they’re easier to work with. For the mousse layers, you’ll mix up one big batch of mousse. Then you’ll divide it into three bowls and flavor them. The confetti cake is baked as a single layer and then divided into two (torted). Not so bad, eh? Use the numbered pictorial as a guide for assembling the chocolate mousse, cheesecake, and strawberry mousse layers.
      Mix up the blue vanilla mousse and layer on top of a cheesecake. Freeze solid.
      I know this sounds repetitive, but it is essential that all of the mousse and cheesecake layers are frozen because they hold together for assembly. Therefore, I recommend making this recipe over the course of two days. Dedicate the first day to making all the layers. The second day can be for assembly and frosting.

      Assembly’s not so bad!
      Remove the frozen layers from their pans and start stacking! First, you’ll lay down a funfetti layer on a serving plate. Second, the frozen tri-layer of chocolate mousse, cheesecake, and strawberry mousse goes on. Third, invert the frozen bi-layer of vanilla mousse and cheesecake on top. Now you’re ready to cover it with cream cheese frosting.
      The exterior of the original tastes like cake crumbs or soft vanilla cookie pieces mixed with sprinkles. So I went with crushed Nilla wafers. I think they are just perfect.

      A few more confetti sprinkles on top, and you’re ready to party! This cake looks great with birthday candles on top, too.

      Fans of The Cheesecake Factory’s Celebration Cheesecake will love this version too. It’s a wonderful tribute to the original, and easy enough for the home baker. Just make sure you have plenty of people to share it with because a little goes a long way!
      Please note, no restaurant recipes were used in this dessert. It was inspired by the restaurant original, but developed with my own formulas.

      Cheesecake Factory Copycat Celebration Cheesecake

      Heather Baird

      The Celebration Cheesecake is a star on The Cheesecake Factory’s dessert menu. Now you can make this copycat version at home! Make this recipe over the course of two days. Dedicate the first day to making all the layers. The second day can be for assembly and frosting.
      The confetti cake formula in this recipe contains no eggs! It’s not an error.

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      Prep Time 2 hrsCook Time 1 hr 25 minsTotal Time 3 hrs 25 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 18

      EquipmentTwo 8×2 inch round cake pansOne 8×3 inch round cake pan (can be spring form)
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Crustless cheesecakes1/2 cup unsalted butter softened1/2 cup granulated sugar16 oz. cream cheese at room temperature3 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding2 eggs1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon vanilla extractConfetti cake2 cups all-purpose flour3/4 teaspoon salt1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda3/4 cup water1/2 cup vegetable oil3/4 cup granulated sugar4 teaspoons white vinegar1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles jimmiesMousse layers1 envelope powdered gelatin .25 oz.2 tablespoons cold water3 egg yolks1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup hot milk microwave 40 seconds8 oz. white baker’s chocolate finely chopped1/3 cup fresh strawberry puree seeds sieved out1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract of flavoring oil such as Amoretti or LorAnn2 drops pink food color1/3 cup semisweet chips melted1 teaspoon vanilla extract2-3 drops blue food color1-2 drops purple food color1 3/4 cups heavy whipping creamCream cheese frosting and decors1/2 cup unsalted butter softened8 oz. cream cheese at room temperature1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/4 teaspoon salt3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar1 cup vanilla cookie crumbs such as Nilla3 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles jimmies3 tablespoons rainbow confetti sprinkles
      Instructions Crustless cheesecakesFill a 13×9 baking pan with hot tap water and place on the bottom oven rack. Preheat the oven to 325 F.Grease two 8” round cake pans with shortening, line the pans with parchment and then lightly grease the parchment.Cream the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add cream cheese a little at a time until smooth. Beat in the powdered pudding mix. Scrape down the bowl and add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in baking powder and extract. Whip the mixture on high speed for 2 minutes, or until the mixture becomes lightened in color and fluffy.Divide the batter evenly between pans. Smooth batter with an offset spatula and bake for 35-40 minutes. Cheesecake will puff around the edges then deflate when removed from the oven. Do not turn out cheesecakes when they are finished baking. Put them directly in the freezer and leave until frozen solid, 4 hours.Confetti cakePreheat the oven to 350F. Coat an 8×3-inch round cake pan (springform, or otherwise) with flour based baking spray (or grease and flour pan).In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. In a separate bowl or in a liquid measure with a pour spout, combine the water, vegetable oil, sugar, vinegar, and vanilla. Whisk well.Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients with the mixer running on low speed. Blend until well combined. It’s ok if a few small lumps remain. Stir in the sprinkles. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. Cake will not crown much, but if there’s a small upward bow in the center, press it down with a clean tea towel with a flat hand – and be careful of the hot pan edge and escaping steam when you do so.Turn out of the pan and let cool completely. Wrap in plastic cling film and refrigerate.Mousse layersIn a medium saucepan sprinkle the gelatin over water. Let stand for 1 minute until absorbed. Whisk in the eggs and sugar. Stir in the hot milk. Cook over medium heat whisking constantly. Mixture will thicken after about 5 minutes. Add in chopped chocolate and whisk until blended and even in color. Divide mixture evenly into three separate medium bowls (a little more than 2/3 cup per bowl). To one bowl, stir in the fresh strawberry puree, strawberry extract, and pink food color. In another bowl add the melted semisweet chips. Stir well until thoroughly combined. In the last bowl stir in the vanilla extract and blue food color. Add purple food color one drop at a time until a sky blue color is achieved (without the purple the hue will be turquoise/aqua). Allow all 3 bowls to cool slightly.In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold 1/3 of the whipped cream into each of three bowls. Stir well until no streaks of white remain in each bowl.Assemble cheesecake and mousse layersGently remove frozen cheesecakes from their pans. Trim off the puffed ring of cheesecake around the top edges of the cakes using a serrated knife. Wash the pans and line them with plastic wrap that overhangs all sides of the pans.Into one pan, pour the strawberry mousse and spread until even. Top the mousse with a frozen cheesecake layer. Pour the chocolate mousse over the cheesecake layer and spread evenly. Gently fold the edges of the plastic wrap in to cover the pan and transfer to the freezer.Into the other pan, place a cheesecake layer into the bottom. Top with the blue vanilla mousse and spread evenly. Fold in the edges of the plastic wrap to cover the pan and transfer to the freezer. Freeze both pans overnight, or for at least 4 hours.Cream cheese frosting and decorsCombine the butter and the cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Beat on high until creamy and no lumps remain. Add vanilla extract and salt. Add confectioners’ sugar and mix on low until combined, then switch to high and beat until lightened in color and fluffy.In a separate bowl, combine the cookie crumbs and the rainbow sprinkles (jimmies). Reserve confetti sprinkles for the top of the cake.Assemble entire cakeUsing a cake leveler or serrated knife, evenly cut the confetti cake in two (torte horizontally). Place one layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Remove the chocolate mousse, cheesecake, and strawberry mousse layer from the freezer. Remove from the pan using the overhanging plastic. Unwrap and place so that the strawberry layer is touching the confetti cake layer. Next, add another confetti cake layer. Remove the blue mousse and cheesecake layer from the freezer. Remove from the pan using the overhanging plastic. Unwrap and place so that the blue vanilla layer is touching the confetti cake.Cover the sides of the cake with the cream cheese frosting. Pat on the mixture of cookie crumbs and sprinkles. Frost the top of the cake with the cream cheese frosting creating a swirl from the middle using an offset spatula. Sprinkle the top of the cake with the confetti sprinkles.Refrigerate cake until it is no longer frozen and just well chilled, about 2 hours.
      NotesIf you don’t have a 8×3 inch cake pan for the confetti cake, you can use two 8×2 inch pans. Divide the batter between the pans. Baking time will be decreased by about half.
       

      Keyword cream cheese frosting, funfetti cake, strawberry mousse, vanilla mousse

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Butter Pecan Praline Cake

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      Here’s a cake as southern as the Kentucky Derby itself! Butter Pecan Praline Cake is the perfect sweet treat to make for Derby Day, but it’s a favorite for all occasions.

      This cake is so nice, I made it twice!
      Derby Day is coming up and I wanted to make something special for the occasion. A cake brimming with butter, brown sugar, and pecan flavors seems fitting. It’s a southern favorite that I make year-round. It would be great for Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, or bookmark it for Thanksgiving because those brown sugar flavors taste just right when the leaves turn.

      I couldn’t resist making a horseshoe-shaped version of this cake loaded with red roses in true derby style. The pageantry – namely the blanket of red roses draped across the winning horse’s back – is truly a sight to behold. This cake pays homage to that.
      However, the original 3-layer version is a good no-frills, all-purpose recipe. So I made it, too! And you should make it any time you crave something that tastes like it came from a southern grandma’s kitchen.

      This cake is an easy task for home bakers. The buttery layers don’t rise much in the center, so they really don’t need much leveling, if any. The buttercream frosting is loaded with finely ground pecans. It lends itself best to big swirls with an offset spatula, but you can also pipe it! The ground pecans are fine enough to pass through a decorator tip.

      The only thing more it requires is some chopped pecans pressed into the bottom edge of the cake, and a sprinkle on top.

      The horseshoe garland cake.
      Bake the batter in a 13×9 pan instead of 3 round layers. Cut a horseshoe-shaped template from a piece of parchment and tack it onto the cooled cake using toothpicks. Give it a trim with a serrated knife and save the cake scraps for breakfast (or a trifle!).

      Cover the horseshoe in a thick layer of the butter pecan frosting. In addition, you’ll need a double batch of American buttercream tinted red for the roses. You can find my recipe for that here (or in the Sprinkle Bakes book!).
      Also, you can find my buttercream rose tutorial here. The same technique applies for these roses, except you’ll make them slightly smaller and pipe the roses on a #7 flower nail head. Scoot the flower off of the nail head using some flower-lifting scissors, or a spatula.

      Place each rose side-by side on the cake. I don’t think any two of my flowers were the same – ha! My advice is to aim for beauty, not perfection. Those are two very different things, in my opinion.

      So, now I have two Butter Pecan Praline cakes – guess I’d better get to sharing! I don’t think I’ll have a problem finding any takers, do you?
      The recipe below gives the instructions for the 9-inch round layer cake, and you’ll find directions for the horseshoe cake in the recipe notes.

      Butter Pecan Praline Cake

      Heather Baird

      This Butter Pecan Praline Cake is a southern favorite. It’s perfect for Derby Day, but it’s welcome at our table at any time of year!Be sure to use the spoon and sweep method when measuring the flour, and sift it so the baked cake has a light, fluffy texture.

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      Prep Time 25 minsCook Time 30 minsTotal Time 55 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American, Southern United States

      Servings 12

      Equipment3 round cake pans, 9 inches each
      Ingredients  Brown sugar cake layers3 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup light brown sugar1 1/2 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs room temperature1 tablespoon vanilla extract1 1/4 cups whole milkButtercream pecan frosting2/3 cup unsalted butter6 cups powdered sugar1/2 cup heavy cream or milk1 tablespoon vanilla extract1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt1 cup pecans finely ground1 cup chopped pecans
      Instructions Brown sugar cake layersPreheat oven to 350 °F. Spray three 9″ round cake pans with flour-based cooking spray.Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter until creamy. Add brown sugar and granulated sugar and beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix well with each addition. Add vanilla extract and beat until well-blended.Add 1/2 of the flour mixture to the creamed mixture. Add in all the milk; mix well. Add remaining flour mixture and combine until just incorporated. Using a large rubber spatula, scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl and fold together by hand so that all ingredients are well incorporated.Divide batter evenly into the prepared pans, slightly more than 2 cups of batter per pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick tester comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pan 7-10 minutes. Turn layers out of pans to rest a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.Butter Pecan FrostingIn the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment, beat the butter until creamy. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Drizzle in a little heavy cream. Gradually add remaining powdered sugar alternating with the heavy cream. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the mixing bowl with a spatula so that all ingredients are well incorporated. Add vanilla and salt; beat well. Beat in the 1 cup of finely ground pecans.Fill cakes with the frosting and stack; coat the outside of the cake with a thin crumb coat of frosting. Refrigerate until firm, 15 minutes. Cover the outside of the cake with swirls of frosting. Press chopped pecans onto the bottom edge of the cake. Transfer leftover frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip. Pipe stars around the top edge of the cake. Immediately sprinkle chopped pecans over the stars.
      NotesFor the horseshoe cake, bake the cake batter in a 13×9 inch pan for about 50 minutes. Tent the top of the cake if it begins to overbrown.
      Lay a piece of parchment paper flat on a work surface. Lay the bottom of a 13×9 inch pan on the parchment and trace around it. Cut out the shape. Draw a horseshoe within the shape and cut it out to use as a template. Lay the template on the baked, cooled cake and tack down onto the cake with toothpicks. Carve around the cake using a serrated knife. Save cake scraps for cake pops, trifles, or snacking.
      Make the butter pecan buttercream as directed and frost the entire cake. Tint two batches of American buttercream red (scroll to the bottom of this post for recipe). Pipe roses using #104 petal tip onto #7 flower nails (see this post for buttercream roses tutorial). Transfer to the top of the horseshoe cake using flower lifting scissors or a spatula.

      Keyword brown sugar cake, butter pecan frosting

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    • in Recipes

      Cabbage Cake

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      Freshly picked from my kitchen to yours, this “Cabbage” is made of butter cake layers filled with toffee-speckled buttercream. The trompe l’oeil exterior is molded using real cabbage leaves!

      Baking has always been my happy place, but making this cabbage cake was the most fun I’ve had in a while! I got the idea for it while browsing some old pastry periodicals. I’ve made little chocolate leaves plenty of times. You just paint chocolate right onto a mint or rose leaf, let it set, and then peel away to reveal your edible foliage. This was the same idea, but on a much larger scale!

      Start with a sturdy cabbage with big waxy-looking leaves. I did a test run and found savoy cabbage to be the most convincing because of their deeply veined leaves. They also have a pretty frilly edge.
      Pick off about 6 or 7 leaves. Wash and dry them thoroughly.

      Choose your coating.
      A few leaves were tested with white chocolate, and others with vanilla almond bark. Both came out pretty and looked just the same, but the almond bark is less meltable while you’re handling it so that’s what I used. Almond bark is a confectioners’ coating with a silly name because it doesn’t actually have any almonds in it. But that’s a story for another time.
      Use what you prefer, but if you have very warm hands then you might want to consider using the less melty almond bark as a fail safe. I tinted these leaves bright green (maybe a little too bright?!) with a combo of green and yellow oil-based candy coloring. Coat the inside of the cabbage leaves using a soft art brush. Make sure to go all the way out to the curly tips.

      Don’t underestimate the amount of chocolate/candy you’ll need here! There’s a lot of real estate to cover on these big curved leaves. And they require a second coat for stability. You’ll need about 48 oz. which could be very costly using real white chocolate. Two 24 oz. packages of almond bark would get the job done cost effectively.
      Crumple up some aluminum foil to make a cradle for the leaves. The coated leaves are heavy! The aluminum foil helps them keep their curve.

      Chill the double-coated leaves in the refrigerator until they are firm. It’s so much fun peeling the leaves away from the chocolate. Because the leaves are so waxy, like silicone, they don’t stick!

      Kids will love this. If you don’t want to make a whole cake you could just have fun making the cabbage leaves. There’s absolutely no trace of cabbage flavor on the candy leaves, if you were curious.

      The cake!
      Underneath those leaves I built a 6-inch butter cake with toffee bits folded into the buttercream. It is a tasty little treat!

      Keep this cake on the small side. The leaves should be able to fit around the entire cake comfortably, with most of them resting and meeting at the top center.

      Round the top of the cake by carving away the top edge. Doing this is important because it helps the curved leaves have something to easily form to. You want the cake to bear the weight of the leaves.

      The leaves are heavy so stick the first three leaves on to the freshly iced cake then refrigerate it. It’s important that this base layer is sturdy, because more heavy leaves will be added.

      Re-heat your leftover green candy and use it as glue to stick the remaining leaves on. If it seems to take a long time for the leaves to stick together, tie some kitchen twine around the center of the assembled leaves. This will hold it all together until the candy dries.

      Remove a leaf or two to cut the cake, or you could smash it open if you were into theatrics (or if you’re in front of a crowd – I would totally do this at a family dinner!).

      I will go on record to say, this is the yummiest cabbage I’ve ever tasted! (Hehe.) If you like the looks of this cake, then you might like to see my Peas and Carrots cake right here.

      I learned so much from making this cake, and I’m already planning another one in a different color. Be sure to check out the video to see the entire assembly.
      Remember folks, Eat Your Veggies!

      Cabbage Cake

      Heather Baird

      Freshly picked from my kitchen to yours, this “Cabbage” is made of butter cake layers filled with toffee-speckled buttercream. The trompe l’oeil exterior is molded using real cabbage leaves.I use a special oil-based food color to tint the candy. This can be found at specialty baking shops and online. Or, you could leave the candy untinted for a white cabbage. Semisweet chocolate or chocolate almond bark can also be used for a dark brown chocolate cabbage, which is cute, too!

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      Prep Time 1 hrCook Time 30 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 10

      Equipmentsoft bristle art brushaluminum foilkitchen dedicated tweezerskitchen twine
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Cabbage leaves7-8 savoy cabbage leaves washed and patted dry48 oz. vanilla/white almond bark or white chocolateGreen oil-based candy food colorYellow oil-based candy food colorCake1 1/2 cups unsalted butter softened2 1/2 cups sugar5 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon vanilla extract3 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup whole milk at room temperatureButtercream frosting2 cups unsalted butter softened8 cups confectioners’ sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractMilk or cream if necessary1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt1/3 cup toffee bitsGreen food colorAssembly1/2 cup chocolate cookie crumbs
      Instructions Cabbage leavesPlace the savoy cabbage leaves on a large baking sheet. Melt the white candy/chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl in 30 second increments. Stir well in between heating, and use the residual heat from the bowl to melt the candy. This will prevent over-heating. Stir in the food colors a little at a time until a bright green color is achieved.Pour about 1/4 cup of the candy into a cabbage leaf and use the art brush to spread the candy all the way to the edges. Crumple a piece of aluminum foil to cradle the leaf and return the leaf to the baking tray. Repeat the process with remaining leaves. Allow the leaves to stand until set Re-heat candy if needed and give the leaves a second coat. Transfer to the refrigerator while you prepare the cake. Reserve leftover candy.CakePreheat the oven to 350F. Coat four 6-inch cake pans with flour-based baking spray.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until lightened in color and fluffy, about 4 minutes.Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk; begin and end with flour. Beat until the batter is smooth and thoroughly combined.Divide batter between pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cakes are golden on top and a toothpick tester comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pan. Invert and transfer cakes to cooling racks. Cool completely, then level the tops of the cake using a serrated knife or cake leveler.ButtercreamIn the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, mix together the butter and sugar. Begin mixing on low speed until the mixture is crumbly. Increase to high and beat for 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and beat again for another minute until light and fluffy. Beat in the sea salt. If the buttercream is too stiff, add milk or heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture is of spreading consistency.Remove 1/2 of the frosting to a bowl and fold in the toffee bits. Tint the remaining frosting green using the food color.AssemblyPeel fresh lettuce leaves away from the candy. If pieces of fresh cabbage stick into grooves, remove them with a pair of kitchen-dedicated tweezers. Set aside.Place a cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Fill and stack using the toffee buttercream and other cake layers. Chill the cake for 30 minutes. Trim away the top edge of the cake using a serrated knife to create a dome shape. Cover the entire cake with the green buttercream. Reserve leftover buttercream.While the buttercream is fresh and tacky, position three cabbage leaves around the cake, allowing the curved edges of the leaves to rest against the top dome of the cake. Refrigerate until firm.Re-heat leftover green candy and have green frosting ready to hand.Stack more leaves around the cake, covering any large gaps. Use a small art brush to dab dots of melted candy where the edges of the leaves meet the other leaves. Tie kitchen twine around the center of the assembled leaves to hold them in place while they set. Transfer the cake to the refrigerator to speed setting. Use dots or swirls of frosting to fil in any gaps using an offset spatula.Before serving, remove the kitchen twine and spoon chocolate cookie crumbs (‘dirt’) around the edge of the cake.To serve, disassemble one or two lettuce leaves at a time; cut the cake into servings. Break the leaves into pieces and serve alongside slices of cake.
      NotesMake sure cabbage leaves are completely dry before using.
      Chocolate and candy food colors are found at kitchen specialty shops and online. See blog post for resources.
       

      Keyword butter cake, savoy cabbage leaves, toffee bits, vanilla almond bark

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Delicious Cinnamon Babka

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      This Homemade Cinnamon Babka Recipe is a sweet, buttery yeast bread with a delicious cinnamon swirl! Making babka from scratch is extra delicious! Perfect for a holiday breakfast, or even just a weekend when you’re feeling extra domestic. Slather it with butter and you will be in LOVE!

      This Fluffy Homemade Babka Recipe Is the BEST!
      Tired of whipping together batches of banana bread and zucchini bread? If you are, consider adding in more chocolate chips – that always renews my interest. But hold off on that for the moment, because you’re going to want to give this Cinnamon Babka Recipe a try.
      Cinnamon babka is so fluffy and tender, and the cinnamon-sugar combination is such a treat for the tastebuds. It’s really fun to make too! How many other bread recipes call for twisting the dough together?
      Also, can you think of a better indulgent breakfast? This babka is everything you love about cinnamon rolls, but with considerably less mess. Just slice yourself a piece, and be on your way!

      What is Babka?
      Babka originated in the Jewish communities of Poland and Ukraine – it’s essentially a braided bread that has become sweeter and sweeter over time. The first versions were made with challah dough, that was then twisted up and filled with jam, and baked. Now these dough twists can be packed with anything from cinnamon to chocolate – and don’t forget the sugar syrup either!

      What You’ll Need For This Babka Recipe:
      What goes into making cinnamon babka? Quite a bit, actually; these are the ingredients you’ll need to round up in order to get started:
      For the Dough
      Flour: This recipe uses all-purpose flour – I needed about 4 cups, but you may need a little less or a little more depending on how the dough shapes up while you’re mixing it.Salt: Kosher salt balances/enhances the sweetness of the bread.Sugar: I used granulated sugar, but you can substitute in brown sugar instead if you want to.Instant Yeast: Any brand of Instant Yeast will work.Milk: Let it come to room temperature before adding it to the dough.Vanilla Extract: For extra sweet flavor.Eggs and an Egg Yolk: Let these come to room temperature also.Butter: Once again, make sure it’s room temperature.
      For the Filling
      Butter: This time you’ll need to melt it.Cinnamon: Obviously you need some ground cinnamon for Cinnamon Babka!SugarKosher Salt
      For the Sugar Syrup
      WaterSugar
      How to Make Homemade Babka (With A Cinnamon Swirl!)
      Making cinnamon babka may seem like a daunting process, but this step-by-step guide is here to assist! Here’s what you’ll need to do, starting with the formation of the dough:
      Form the Dough: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment mix 3 1/2 cups flour, salt, granulated sugar, and yeast, until combined. Turn the mixer to low and add in the milk, vanilla, and eggs one at a time until mostly combined.
      Add in the Butter: One tablespoon at a time until incorporated. Turn the mixer up to medium speed and mix for 10 minutes. Add in more flour as needed until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic. I generally add in 4 cups total.
      Let Dough Rise: Coat a large bowl in nonstick spray or oil and place the dough into the bowl, cover, and allow to rise for 1 hour in a warm, draft-free place.

      Make the Filling: In a medium bowl combine the butter, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Set aside.

      Prepare the Sugar Syrup: In a small saucepan combine the water and sugar. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
      Assembly: Coat 2 8×4- inch loaf pans with nonstick spray. Line the pans with parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang the ends for easy removal.
      Split Dough in Half: When the dough has risen, divide it in half. Working with one half at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 10×12- inch rectangle. Spread half of the filling onto the dough. Roll up the dough tightly from the 10- inch side into a log.

      Slice the Dough: Cut the dough lengthwise down the middle, so the filling is exposed. Twist each half. Then twist the two halves together like a rope. Place the twisted dough into one of the prepared pans. Repeat this process with the remaining dough. Cover the pans and allow to rise for 30 minutes in a warm, draft-free place.

      Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the loaves for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle the sugar syrup evenly on each loaf, using all the syrup. Place back in the oven and bake for an additional 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown. To ensure the bread is baked it will reach an internal temperature of 190°F.

      Let Cool: Place a wire cooling rack on a baking sheet and remove the bread from the pans using the parchment paper, transferring them to the wire rack to cool. Sugar syrup will drip from the bottom of the bread as it cools.

      Tips for Success
      That was a lot of steps, I know, but the results are so worth your effort. Here are some extra tips to help you iron out the process:
      Let Babka Cool Before Slicing: This will cut down on crumbs and ensure that the cinnamon filling stays in the bread.Working with the Dough: If the ends of the dough halves are not sticking together in the twist, try adding a little bit of water to them. Also, before you bake the loaf, poke a couple of small holes in the dough so that there won’t be separation between the bread and the filling. Variations: Make the filling using chocolate or Nutella for an even more decadent treat.

      Serving Suggestions
      I like to serve cinnamon babka warm, or at room temperature. It’s great with a steaming cup of coffee, or a big glass of milk. If you want to make it into a dessert, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup!
      How to Store Leftovers
      Store this babka in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or, if you store it in the fridge, it can last for up to a week.
      Can I Freeze Cinnamon Babka?
      Sure. You can opt to freeze your loaves for up to 30 days.

      Print

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      Cinnamon Babka Recipe

      Description:
      If you love sweet breads or cinnamon rolls, you will fall in love with this Cinnamon Babka recipe – guaranteed. It’s tender, fluffy, so sweet, and the perfect indulgent breakfast or snack to give you a burst of energy for the day ahead!

      Ingredients:

      For the Dough:

      4 – 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
      1 teaspoon kosher salt
      1/2 cup granulated sugar
      1 (1- ounce) package Instant Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
      1/2 cup milk, room temperature
      1 teaspoon vanilla extract
      3 large eggs, room temperature
      1 egg yolk, room temperature
      10 tablespoons butter, room temperature

      For the Filling:

      1/2 cup butter, melted
      1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
      1 cup granulated sugar
      1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

      For the Sugar Syrup

      2/3 cup water
      2/3 cup granulated sugar

      Instructions

      For the Dough:

      In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment mix 3 1/2 cups flour, salt, granulated sugar, and yeast, until combined. Turn the mixer to low and add in the milk, vanilla, and eggs one at a time until mostly combined. Add in the butter one tablespoon at a time until incorporated. Turn the mixer up to medium speed and mix for 10 minutes. Add in more dough as needed until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic. I generally add in 4 cups total.
      Coat a large bowl in nonstick spray or oil and place the dough into the bowl, cover, and allow to rise for 1 hour in a warm, draft-free place.

      For the Filling and the Sugar Syrup:

      In a medium bowl combine the butter, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Set aside.
      In a small saucepan combine the water and sugar. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

      Assembly:

      Coat 2 8×4- inch loaf pans with nonstick spray. Line the pans with parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang the ends for easy removal.
      When the dough has risen, divide it in half. Working with one half at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 10×12- inch rectangle. Spread half of the filling onto the dough. Roll up the dough tightly from the 10- inch side into a log.
      Cut the dough lengthwise down the middle, so the filling is exposed. Twist each half. Then twist the two halves together like a rope.
      Place the twisted dough into one of the prepared pans. Repeat this process with the remaining dough. Cover the pans and allow to rise for 30 minutes in a warm, draft-free place.
      Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the loaves for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle the sugar syrup evenly on each loaf, using all the syrup. Place back in the oven and bake for an additional 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown. To ensure the bread is baked it will reach an internal temperature of 190°F.
      Place a wire cooling rack on a baking sheet and remove the bread from the pans using the parchment paper, transferring them to the wire rack to cool. Sugar syrup will drip from the bottom of the bread as it cools.

      Notes:

      Serve warm or at room temperature. Store airtight for up to 3 days. Alternately you can freeze this for up to 30 days.

      Keywords:: cinnamon babka bread, sweet bread recipe

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    • in Recipes

      Mini Cassata Siciliana Cakes

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      The classic Italian cake Cassata Siciliana shines as a traditional favorite at Easter. This version uses a muffin pan to create individual servings. I’m squeezing in one more Easter recipe before the holiday on Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore Cassata Siciliana for more than 2 years now! There are a few different versions with varying instructions, but this one with its marzipan cover is an Easter classic. The green is so springy and the candied fruit adds a pop of color that is irresistible to my eye.When I began this recipe, I’d planned to make it as a single cake using a deep dish pie pan. I guess my pan grew legs and walked off, and it remains MIA. My improvisation involved a jumbo muffin tin to make 6 little cakes. They’re just the cutest! Now I’m almost glad that I couldn’t find that pie pan. (Almost.)If you love cannoli, then you’ll love eating this cake. The filling is practically cannoli cream. The ricotta cheese needs to drain overnight so it loses some of its moisture. This keeps the cakes from becoming soggy and protects the marzipan from breaking down. I must have researched at least 20 cassata filling recipes – and all of them different. Some opted for nuts and chocolate chips, others went all-in with candied fruit. I’m a huge fan of chocolate and pistachio together, so that’s what I put in this filling. It also has a little sugar along with the zest of one orange.A sheet of sponge cake will provide the tops and bottoms of the mini cakes. You’ll need some circle cookie cutters, around 2 3/4 inches and 3 1/2 inches. I own a set of round cutters just like this one that I use all the time. They’re so useful! If you don’t have cutters that size, you could use similar size jar or bottle caps, or cut some templates to trim around.Marzipan is easy to make, but ready-made will shortcut this recipe. I recommend using it. Just knead in some food color to create your favorite Easter green color. Roll it on a dusted surface and cut it into 2-inch strips. Line each muffin cavity with an overlapping piece. Press in evenly and trim away the excess. Now you’re ready to fill!The smaller cake pieces go in first. Lay them in and gently tamp them down. There’s no need to force them into the bottom. Next, fill with that delicious ricotta cheese mixture. Last, cover the filling with the large cake rounds. Refrigerate for about an hour. The marzipan coverings will be dusty with powdered sugar when you turn them out. I used a little almond extract and an art brush to remove it. The extract will evaporate quickly.Simple confectioners’ glaze whisks together with just powdered sugar, lemon juice, and a little milk. Be sure it’s thick and opaque. You’ll be using it to cover the top centers of the cakes, and you’ll also use it to pipe a few swags on the sides. Some Cassata Siciliana have elaborately piped designs on the green marzipan.Piping with this glaze is not as precise as I’d like it to be, but if you keep your design simple then things will work out fine. I think they’re real cute with single line swags and a few dotty embellishments!You’ll have a little ricotta filling left over, and if you save your cake scraps, you can make some mini trifles like I did! Just crumble the cake and layer with the ricotta in tiny dessert cups. I added some whipped cream and marzipan flowers. These little confections are deceptively light with their spongy cake layers and whipped ricotta filling. Individual desserts always feel special on the table, and these are not only tasty but a cheerful sight to behold. Sharing them has been a delight.  LEGGI TUTTO

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      Coconut Easter Bunny Cake

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      Serve up the cutest coconut bunny cake for Easter! It’s a nostalgic favorite made from a single yellow 9-inch cake layer and decorated with flaked coconut. Growing up I remember my mom making a version of this coconut cake around Easter, and she’d use a pink jellybean for a rabbit nose. I thought the whole thing was so clever, and it was truly a special holiday with a bunny cake on our table.  I just had to make one this year. I’ve been missing my family and our big holiday meals, and the tradition of making this cake makes me feel closer to them. It’s fashioned from a single yellow cake layer, and with some easy carving it is transformed into a cute, furry-looking bunny.This cut-out cake design has been around for decades. I’ve seen so many home-baked versions over the years from friends and neighbors. I didn’t deviate much from the original design. I did opt for edible candy ears instead of the usual construction paper ears, but you should use whatever best suits your time constraints. The candy ears do take a little more effort. The cake layer is so delicious with a big dose of sour cream added to the batter. Slice it in half, frost with yummy coconut buttercream, and stick it together so that it looks like a big taco. Cut a notch out of the top of the cake and be sure to save the scraps. It looks fairly bunny body-shaped at this point. Stick a couple of scrap pieces on top of the head area with frosting and trim it to a roundish shape. The video at the end of this blog post will be helpful to follow for the carving technique – definitely check it out!Another smaller scrap piece will make the tail on the opposite end of the head. Cover the entire thing with frosting. You don’t have to be too precious with this step, just get it all covered. Shredded coconut will cover up most imperfections.As I mentioned earlier, mom always made the bunny ears using construction paper. It’s easiest, really. But I decided to make candy ears. I cut out two rabbit ear shapes out of heavy card stock and coated them with a thick layer of candy. While they’re still wet, lift one end using a toothpick and transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. After a chill in the freezer peel the card stock from the backs of the candy. Again – the video will be helpful here. Melted pink candy and sanding sugar will give the bunny’s ears more detail. I also brushed the white areas with corn syrup and added coconut for a fuzzy appearance. A little buttercream dotted on the back of a real satin bow holds it in place and makes the cake look cuddly like a toy. (Aw!)Two black Sixlets eyes and a heart-shaped candy nose gives this bunny a cute face. If you don’t have those candies on hand then black and pink jellybeans will work.How could I NOT make some green coconut ‘grass’? It’s so classic with this cake. I layered it with grassy green sprinkles and a few gorgeous Sconza Jordan almonds. I could go on and on about how perfect this candy is. Each candy almond is so polished and unblemished. They look like little bird eggs! This is such a good recipe for a single cake layer. It’s tender and the sour cream helps it retain its softness. It is the perfect blank canvas for nearly any small baking project, but especially this one. Have a sweet Easter! 

        LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Mom's Tennessee Banana Black Walnut Cake

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      This homestyle cake is a family recipe made of two soft banana layers loaded with black walnuts. Old fashioned caramel frosting makes it a true southern favorite. 

      Here it is, my favorite homestyle cake – my mother’s recipe. The last time I had a large family dinner (remember those?) I made a different black walnut cake from a fancy cookbook, and from the author’s confidence and praise of her own cake, I felt so sure it would be just as good as this one. It was not. 

      I often spring new recipes on my family, and some are better than others, but this time I was embarrassed. The cake looked beautiful on the outside but it was a huge disappointment flavor-wise and dry.  Sooo dry.  I already had the best black walnut cake recipe from my mom, and I should have just made it instead. 

      Black walnuts are harvested as a fall crop, but as a southerner I can tell you they are never out of season in our kitchens. They have bold, earthy flavor and one whiff of their robust fragrance brings to mind all the special confections my family makes with them. (Aunt Pammy’s peanut butter fudge and Aunt Grace’s Easter fondants, to name two.) 

      Thankfully, black walnuts are available for purchase online year-round, so they can remain on our tables in spring and summer months. I’ve had Easter on the brain lately, and I think this cake would be so delicious and special as the last course, but it is also so appropriate for a Thanksgiving dessert.

      The caramel frosting is easy enough to whip together, but it is prone to set up quickly. I found myself intermittently whipping more heavy cream into it so it could be spreadable on the cake. The good news is, you don’t have to worry about getting the frosting perfectly even because it will be completely covered with more black walnuts.

      There is one addition to this recipe from me, and that is a few swirls of cream cheese frosting on the top edge of the cake. This makes it look pretty, and it’s really delicious, too! 

      I suppose the “Tennessee” part of this recipe could refer to the black walnuts, or maybe the old fashioned caramel frosting – which is truly something that all southern, church-going, potluck-attending grannies have made to cover a special cake. I can only tell you for sure that as a born-and-raised Tennessean, this cake is the real deal.

      The interior of this cake is so soft and tender that I’m pressed to find the right words to describe it. I’d almost call it damp, which may be a questionable description for food, but it is indeed super-moist and so flavorful with the addition of four overripe bananas. 

      (Thanks for the recipe, mom!)

      [click to print]
      Tennessee Banana-Black Walnut Cake
      Yields 10-12 servings
      Recipe by Katie WattsCake layers
      2 cups (248g) all-purpose flour
      1 teaspoon baking soda
      1/4 teaspoon salt
      2 teaspoon cinnamon
      3/4 cup (180g) unsalted butter, softened
      1 1/2 cup (300g) granulated sugar
      2 eggs, well beaten
      4 over-ripe bananas, mashed
      1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk
      1 teaspoon vanilla extract
      1 cup (117g) chopped black walnutsCaramel frosting
      1/2 cup (113g) butter
      1 cup (205g) light brown sugar, packed
      1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy cream, plus more as needed
      1 tablespoon vanilla extract
      4 cups (16 oz. box) powdered sugar
      1 1/2 cups finely chopped black walnuts, for garnishCream cheese frosting
      1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
      1 oz. cream cheese, softened
      2- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
      Milk or cream to thin
      1 tablespoon finely chopped black walnutsFor the cakes: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray two 8- or 9-inch cake pans with flour-based cooking spray (or grease and flour) and set aside.In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a separate bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar thoroughly. Blend in bananas, eggs and vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with buttermilk until well incorporated, then fold in walnuts. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 35 minutes for 8-inch pans, or 30 minutes for 9-inch pans, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean. Cool in pans on a cooling rack for 10 minutes, then turn out of pans to cool completely.Caramel frosting
      Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop. Add brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Transfer the mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer while still warm and melted. Beat on medium-low speed while adding powdered sugar a little a time; mix until smooth and thick. Add additional heavy cream a tablespoon at a time until the frosting is of easy spreading consistency. This frosting firms quickly, almost to a fudge-like state, so work quickly to frost the cake.Place a small amount of frosting on the center of a cake plate to keep the cake from shifting. Place one layer on the cake plate, and apply a layer of frosting. Top with the other cake layer, and frost the outside and top of the stacked layers. If the frosting begins to set up, add more heavy cream and re-whip to soften. Immediately press chopped black walnuts onto the top and sides of the cake, before frosting sets up.Cream cheese frosting swirls
      Combine the butter and cream cheese in a large bowl and whip until fluffy with an electric hand mixer. Add confectioners’ sugar a little at a time until a thick, fluffy frosting forms; add milk or cream to thin as needed. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag with a large closed star piping tip. Pipe swirls of cream cheese frosting on the top edge of the cake. Garnish with black walnuts.
      link Mom’s Tennessee Banana Black Walnut Cake By Heather Baird Published: Monday, February 22, 2021Monday, February 22, 2021Tennessee Banana Black Walnut Cake Recipe LEGGI TUTTO