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      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

    • 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.  LEGGI TUTTO

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      Chocolate Dipped Orange Madeleines

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      Madeleines are buttery French tea cakes with a distinctive scallop shell shape. This version is a riff on the classic sponge, but with bright orange flavor. A dip in chocolate glaze makes them an indulgent tea time treat.

      I haven’t posted madeleines to this weblog in years, but I make them every so often for an afternoon pick-me-up. I decided to remedy the situation a couple of days ago when my new shell pan arrived. I have the classic madeleine pan with a more elongated shell shape, but the new pan holds a little more batter per cavity. And I’m all for a more robust madeleine!

      I’ve used the same recipe for these cakes for more than 10 years. It’s adapted from Epicurious and is likely the most unfussy version of madeleines you’ll find. As written, it is classic with zesty lemon flavor, but it’s also a fine blank canvas for other zests and flavorings.

      Many madeleine recipes require resting the batter or chilling the pans before baking, all in an effort to achieve a crisp exterior and the signature bump that develops during baking. This recipe skips those steps and, in my experience, the cakes always turn out perfect. I noticed in my new pan with deeper cavities, the bump was a little more pronounced. This turned out to be a good thing, because the cakes can be held by their bumps for easy dipping.

      This adaptation was inspired by an extra-large orange in my refrigerator. It had the most beautiful fragrant peel, and it deserved to be used in something special. Chocolate and orange flavors together are a favorite of mine, so they were destined for dip in semisweet glaze.

      Speaking of chocolate, I’m not sure if I’ve shared this here previously, but I prefer to melt chocolate in the microwave, as do many modern chocolatiers. With the right timing, it’s less likely to overcook or seize from the steam created in a double boiler. The key to the microwave method is to use a Pyrex bowl to hold fine chopped chocolate and heat in 30 second intervals. Between heating intervals, stir well using the residual heat from the bowl to melt the chocolate. Using this method in this recipe creates a very smooth, nearly flawless glaze.

      What a treat! These just beg to be enjoyed with a cup of hot tea and a good book. We’ve had grey skies here this week, and these buttery little cakes have been a bright spot in such chilly conditions. 

      If you’re in need of a madeleine pan, you’ll find links to the ones I own below. These are affiliate links. I’ve included instructions for both pan sizes.

      Chefmade 12-Cavity Non-Stick Spherical Shell Madeline Bakeware
      Chicago Metallic Professional 12-Cup Non-Stick Madeleine Pan

      [click to print]
      Chocolate-Dipped Orange Madeleines
      Yields 15-20 cakesA madeleine pan is required for this recipe, which can be found online for purchase and in cookware stores (see blog post for sources). Shallow shell pans will yield more cakes, and require less bake time. Pans with deeper cavities will yield less cakes and require longer bake time.Cakes
      2 large eggs
      2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar
      1 teaspoon vanilla extract
      1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
      1/8 teaspoon fine grain salt
      1 cup (123g) all-purpose flour
      10 tablespoons (141g) unsalted butter, melted, cooled slightly but still warmGlaze
      1 cup (6 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips (or bar chocolate, chopped)
      2 tablespoons neutral-tasting oil such as vegetable oilPreheat oven to 350°F.Coat a madeleine pan with flour-based baking spray (or butter and flour well, which is in keeping with tradition). In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat eggs and 2/3 cup sugar in large bowl just to blend. Beat in vanilla, orange peel and salt. Add flour; mix until just combined. Gradually add cooled melted butter in steady stream, beating just until blended.For large, deep cavity shells (such as the one pictured) spoon batter into the cavities 2/3 full. If using a shallow shell pan, spoon about 1 tablespoon batter into each indentation in pan. Bake large shells for 20-25 minutes, or until browned around the edges and a bump develops on top. Bake shallow shells about 16 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Gently remove from pan. Repeat process, washing the pan and greasing it before baking each batch. Let the cakes cool completely on a wire rack.For the glaze, place the chocolate and oil in a microwave-safe bowl (Pyrex recommended). Heat in 30 second intervals at 100% power. Stir well between heating intervals using the residual heat from the bowl to melt the chocolate. When a smooth, thin consistency is achieved, the glaze is ready to be used.Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Holding the madeleines by their bumps, dip the faces of the madeleines into the chocolate and transfer to the prepared pan. When all of the cakes are dipped, transfer them to the refrigerator to chill until the glaze is well set. It will lose its shine and take on a matte appearance (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from the refrigerator. Serve at room temperature. Keep cakes stored airtight, or in a dish covered with plastic wrap.
      link Chocolate Dipped Orange Madeleines By Heather Baird Published: Friday, February 05, 2021Friday, February 05, 2021Chocolate Dipped Orange Madeleines Recipe LEGGI TUTTO

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      Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake

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      Strawberry puree gives this no-bake cheesecake its pink blush and ripe berry flavor. Fresh whole strawberries cover the top and a thick drizzle of chocolate makes this dessert worthy of its name. 

      I’ve gotten out of my morning smoothie habit, which has temporarily been replaced by the Baked Oatmeal I’m currently obsessed with. I can’t explain it, but those oats are helping me live my best life right now. So, the big bag of frozen strawberries I use for smoothies has been hanging out in my freezer with no purpose, other than getting in my way when I’m looking for something else.

      Then I remembered that there’s a romantic holiday coming up, and a strawberry dessert would be timely right now for those planning ahead. I decided to thaw and puree those berries for a special Valentine’s Day dessert (although you don’t need to a special occasion to make it!).

      Chocolate cookie crumbs mixed with melted butter forms the foundation on which the cheesecake is built. Press the mixture into a springform pan and 1-inch up the side, but don’t worry about getting it perfect. An irregular crust edge gives this cake rustic appeal and will save some prep time. The crust is the only portion of this recipe that is baked, and that’s just for 10 minutes to set it.

      The billowy filling consists of a holy trinity of creamy ingredients: cream cheese, sour cream, and whipped cream. Strawberry puree gives all of this cream bright berry flavor and a light pink hue.

      The cheesecake refrigerated overnight while I considered an appropriate topping. Since chocolate-covered strawberries are practically the Valentine’s Day mascot (sorry Cupid!) I had my answer and added fresh strawberries to my grocery list.

      The capped berries placed with their points skyward almost look like a strawberry mountain range from the right angle. Much like a French fruit tart, I brushed them with strawberry preserve which gave the berries some extra sweetness and shine.

      Chocolate is generously drizzled on top of the berries. Of course this is heavenly on the fresh strawberries, but it also ties well with  the crumbly cookie crust. 

      Chocolate-covered strawberry goodness, right here!

      I could not resist a dusting of powdered sugar on top. It’s totally unnecessary, but I love the snowy appearance.

      Light and fluffy, this cheesecake is the polar opposite of dense New York cheesecake. It’s almost mousse-like and when you plate a slice it has a slight wobble, almost like panna cotta. 

      It’s wonderfully soft and the sour cream gives it tangy flavor. It would be a special dessert for Valentine’s Day, but the flavors of chocolate and strawberry together are evergreen. This cake should be enjoyed year-round! 

      [click to print]
      Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake (No-Bake)
      Yields 8-10 servings1 1/4 cups (150g) chocolate cookie crumbs
      1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
      16 oz. frozen strawberries, thawed
      16 oz. (2 packages) cream cheese, at room temperature
      1 cup (230g/8 oz.) sour cream
      1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
      2 envelopes (.25 oz. each) powdered unflavored gelatin
      1/2 cup cold water
      1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
      24 fresh strawberries
      1/3 cup (113g) strawberry preserves
      4 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
      1 tablespoon vegetable oilPreheat oven to 350F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.Combine the chocolate cookie crumbs and melted butter together in a medium bowl. Mix well to coat the crumbs with the butter. Pour into the springform pan and press into the bottom and 1/2” to 1” up the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes to set the crust. Cool completely on a wire rack.Puree the thawed strawberries in a food processor, blender, or with an immersion blender until no lumps of fruit remain. Set aside.In the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment, combine the cream cheese, sour cream and sugar. Beat well until creamy and consistent with no lumps. Pour in the strawberry puree and mix again. Let the mixer run on low speed while you prepare the gelatin mixture.In a small saucepan sprinkle the powdered gelatin over the cold water. Let stand until well absorbed, about 2 minutes. Place over medium-low heat and cook just until the gelatin liquifies. With the mixer still running, pour the gelatin in a thin stream into the cream cheese mixture. Fold in the whipped cream (this step may take some time, and if lumps remain, disperse them by lightly whipping the mixture with a whisk). Pour the batter into the crust and refrigerate until set, about 3 hours or overnight. To unmold, lightly run a knife’s point around the top edge of the cheesecake; loosen the springform collar and allow the cake to naturally pull away from the collar as you slowly loosen it from all sides of the cake.Wash, dry, and cap the fresh strawberries. Place the berries on top of the set cheese cake cut-side down. Place the preserves in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave at 100% power until melted, about 30 seconds. Let cool slightly. The preserve should be runny and liquid. Brush the berries with the preserves using a pastry brush and pour any remaining preserve liquid over the center of the cake.Place the chopped chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 100% power in 30 second intervals until the chocolate can be stirred smooth. Immediately add the vegetable oil (you can use any neutral-tasting oil) to the chocolate and mix until well combined. Transfer the melted mixture to a piping bag with the end snipped, or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped. Drizzle the chocolate in thick ribbons over the strawberries, allowing it to fall over the peaks and crevices of the fresh berry topping.Refrigerate until ready to serve. To slice, use a very sharp chef’s knife to cut through the berries and chocolate on top. Store leftovers covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
      link Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake By Heather Baird Published: Thursday, January 28, 2021Thursday, January 28, 2021Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe LEGGI TUTTO

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      Classic Opera Cake

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      This classic French cake is made with layers of almond sponge, potent coffee syrup, French buttercream, and chocolate ganache. It's worthy of any special occasion.Ah, Opera Cake. This coffee lover's dream-come-true is a six layer affair, stacked with three layers of almond sponge, soaked with espresso syrup and alternating layers of French buttercream and butter ganache. It has been described as 'elaborate' which is true. Its preparation calls for your time, patience, and a candy thermometer, but the end result is so worth the effort. It is one of my favorite cakes of all time, and it's certainly one to try if you're looking to hone your skills in patisserie. Continued, click to read more… LEGGI TUTTO

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      Old Fashioned Chocolate Cobbler

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      Made with mostly pantry staples, this chocolate cobbler comes together quickly for a warm and comforting dessert. Serve with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream.

      Chocolate cobbler is one of those old-school recipes that has endured for decades because of its genius simplicity and seemingly magical transformation in the oven. It is also one of the most deliciously warm and comforting desserts you’ll ever find. It’s easy enough to throw together on a weeknight, but you’ll want to make it for company. It’s good any time of year, but it’s especially good to tuck into on a cold winter’s night.

      This cobbler is made using lots of dry pantry staples, milk, and butter. Eggs are conspicuously missing, but that’s what makes this dish cobbler instead of cake. 

      If you have considerations for Veganuary (which is a popular thing, I hear!) this recipe can easily be altered. Butter could be swapped for Earth Balance ‘buttery sticks’ (margarine) and milk for oat or another plant-based milk. Also be sure your chocolate chips are a dairy-free brand such as Enjoy Life.

      The first step is easy enough and familiar to studied cobbler makers – melt the butter in the baking dish in a preheated oven. Next you’ll stir together the base ingredients predictably enough: add wet to dry. It’s the moment when you remove the dish from the oven and begin dolloping the batter over the butter that you may start to question things. 

      Yes, it’s a lot of butter.  No, you’re not doing anything wrong. My advice is to be at peace with this step and know the end result will make you happy and feed your soul. 

      Another layer, a dry mixture of sugar and cocoa is sprinkled over the batter and will help form the cobbler crust. 

      The final step before the cobbler bakes is to pour boiling water over everything in the dish, which sounds totally bananas, but it works. No stirring allowed! All of those layers will transform in the oven to a crackled, chewy crust with chocolate pudding hidden underneath.

      There will be a bit of jiggle to the cobbler when it comes out of the oven, and you don’t have to worry about the middle being underdone – remember, there are no eggs in this dish. It’s supposed to be completely ooey-gooey underneath that crackled crust.

      The cobbler will need to cool slightly before digging in. The pudding underneath will be molten and too hot to eat at first. This dish is best served warm with scoops of vanilla ice cream which cuts the richness and creates pools of cold cream over the warm chocolate pudding (swoon). If you don’t have any ice cream, then freshly whipped cream is lovely, too. 

      [click to print]
      Old Fashioned Chocolate Cobbler
      Yields 8-10 servings3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks, 185g) salted butter
      1 cup (120g) self-rising flour *see recipe notes
      1/2 cup (3 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
      3/4 cup (160g) packed light brown sugar, divided
      1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, divided
      7 tablespoons (67.5g) unsweet dark cocoa powder, divided
      1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk
      1 tablespoon vanilla extract
      1 1/2 cups (360 ml) boiling water
      Vanilla ice cream to servePreheat the oven to 350°F.Place the butter in an 11×7-inch baking dish (or similar size such as 8×8 square, I used a 1 1/2-quart round dish). Place the dish in the oven until the butter melts completely, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the oven.In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, chocolate chips, 1/2 cup (105 g) of the brown sugar, 1/3 cup (65g) of the granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons (30g) of the cocoa. In a separate measuring pitcher with a pour spout, combine the milk and vanilla; mix well. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until batter forms with no streaks of flour remaining.Dollop the batter over the melted butter in the pan but do not stir. The batter will sink and the butter will pool to the top.In a medium bowl, stir together the remaining 5 tablespoons (37.5 g) of cocoa, 1/4 cup (55g) of brown sugar, and 2/3 cup (135g) of granulated sugar. Whisk to combine. Sprinkle evenly over the batter in the baking dish. Do not stir.Gently pour the boiling water over the layered mixture in the pan. Do not stir.Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the crust is formed and set on top. Cobbler may jiggle a little when removed from the oven, this is normal. Let cool slightly before portioning warm cobbler to dishes; top with scoops of vanilla ice cream.Cover leftovers and store in the refrigerator. Re-warm bowls of cobbler in the microwave, or reheat ramekins of cobbler in a preheated oven for 10 minutes.Notes:
      If you don’t have salted butter, add a pinch of salt to the batter.If you don’t have self-rising flour on hand, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Use in place of self-rising flour in this recipe.
      link Old Fashioned Chocolate Cobbler By Heather Baird Published: Tuesday, January 12, 2021Tuesday, January 12, 2021Old Fashioned Chocolate Cobbler Recipe LEGGI TUTTO

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      Lightened Up Mini Cheesecake Cups

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      These small bites are just the right size to satisfy sweet cravings, and they're made lighter with fat-free ingredients. A simple kitchen trick transforms crisp pizzelle cookies into cookie cups.Many people use January to rethink their eating habits and reduce indulgences. I personally think that 2021 is not the year for reducing any small pleasures we can come by (so far). Here, dessert is – and will always be – on the menu.However, the holidays brought many rich things to our plates in the form of stately layer cakes, decadent chocolate, and so much candy. A few lighter desserts are in order, I think. These small cheesecake cups are made with creamy fat-free yogurt and cream cheese, so they taste absolutely indulgent but won't weigh you down.  Continued, click to read more… LEGGI TUTTO

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      Peppermint Stripe Mousse Cakes

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      These festive tree-topped mousse cakes are wrapped in a red striped sponge and filled with pink peppermint mousse. Decorate them with your favorite holiday sprinkles.

      O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
      How lovely are thy … sprinkles?

      I couldn’t resist. I had a lot of fun making these cakes, and they are created using one of my favorite pastry techniques. Stencil paste is a pastry medium made with egg whites that you can whip up at home. Just tint it a fun color and then use it to pipe or stencil designs onto a silpat or parchment paper. 

      For these cakes, I spread the stencil paste on a silicone baking mat and used a cake comb to create striped designs in the paste. Some of my lines were a little wavy, but the cakes turned out cute anyway!

      The paste is chilled until it stiffens, and then sponge cake is spread evenly on top. 

      After a quick bake in the oven, the sheet of sponge cake is turned out to reveal the design. Then you can cut it or roll the cake according to your inspiration or design.

      For this project I cut lengths of sponge to fit inside 3″ pastry rings, and then filled each of them with delicious pink peppermint mousse. 

      After the mousse is chilled, the cakes are topped with a layer of snowy white buttercream, and then topped with a sugar cone. With just a little baker’s magic (green food color and a piping tip) the sugar cone becomes an evergreen tree.

      Gold and white sugar pearls made beautiful mini baubles for decorating, as did some super teeny tiny candy canes – I just love those!

      You can find the recipe and more instructions for these little cuties over at Food Network.com – and I’ll link it below, too! Also, be sure to check out the video I shot of the creation of these cakes, right here. 

      Peppermint Stripe Mousse Cakes on FoodNetwork.com

      link Peppermint Stripe Mousse Cakes By Heather Baird Published: Thursday, December 17, 2020Thursday, December 17, 2020Peppermint Stripe Mousse Cakes Recipe LEGGI TUTTO