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    • in Recipes

      Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Torte

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      Desserts don’t get much more decadent than this! Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Torte is a fudgy brownie layered with whipped peanut butter and rich ganache.

      Lately, all of this gloomy winter weather has given me quite the appetite for something rich and intense. For example, this very dessert. It’s like a good shake by the shoulders, waking you (or your taste buds) from hibernation. It is certainly intense and so special occasion-worthy. I drafted this recipe first as a small pan of brownies, then decided that simply would not do. I remembered the silicone pan in my cabinet that is shaped like a peanut butter cup. And with some reconfiguring, I came up with this layered torte. But you don’t have to own a peanut butter cup-shaped silicone pan to make this! It molds well in a standard 9-inch springform pan.

      The layers.
      So. What makes up this decadent chocolate-peanut butter confection? The base is a layer of intensely fudgy dark chocolate brownie. Its center is a no-bake whipped peanut butter filling, and butter ganache tops it all off. As the author of a cookbook dedicated to salty-sweets, the garnish comes as no surprise. Maldon salt is sea salt dried into brittle thin crystal pyramids, is the perfect garnish. It offers just the right amount of salt to all that sweetness. And it won’t melt away on top of the ganache.

      Step-by-step brownie mixing.
      The brownie layer has a few steps, but the fudgy end result is so worth it. Start with high quality semisweet chocolate finely chopped along with some cubed butter. Melt it in the microwave at 30 second intervals until the mixture can be stirred smooth. Cubing the butter helps everything melt evenly.

      Next, add the sugars and salt. Mix this up with a whisk. You don’t need an electric mixer for this part.

      Whisk in the eggs and a smidgen of peanut butter. Yes, even the brownie layer has a secret scoop of peanut butter in the batter!

      Sift in the dry ingredients, which includes a small amount of unsweet dark cocoa powder for extra richness.

      Mix everything together by hand and pour the batter into a greased pan. I use this pan. Its intended purpose is to protect your cheesecake pan from getting water in it, but I use it to make Peanut Butter Cup-shaped treats.
      Bake for about 25 minutes, or until well set. I suppose, if you are in a big hurry, that you could begin this recipe with a prepackaged brownie mix. But as written, the brownie layer is the perfect texture and flavor with the other components.

      Peanut buttery goodness.

      Next, whip up the peanut butter filling. It’s an easy no-cook, no-bake affair made with butter, peanut butter, and confectioners’ sugar. (Did I mention this is indulgent?) But you will need an electric mixer for this part. It takes about 3 minutes of whipping on high speed to lighten this mixture well. Spread the whipped mixture over the cooled brownie layer in the pan. Chill well before adding the ganache.

      Heat together butter and chopped semisweet chocolate to make a rich butter ganache. Pour this over the chilled peanut butter layer. The amount of ganache you use can be variable. My testers all noted that the ganache layer really brought the richness. Some returned their plate with a little ganache left on it. Therefore, use more or less to your taste. I’ll include instructions for a thinner layer of ganache, should you choose to lighten things up a little.

      For those using a silicone pan, like me, freeze the dessert completely. Then unmold it as a solid disk from the pan. The silicone will pull away from the sides of the frozen dessert easily while keeping the crenulated edges intact. If using a springform pan, then just a chill in the refrigerator will be sufficient.

      Bring the Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Torte to room temperature before serving, and sprinkle on some flake sea salt for extra deliciousness.

      The butter ganache and peanut butter filling become so soft at room temperature. It’s a luscious texture with the slightly chewy brownie. It’s better than a Reese’s cup, I tell ya! Make it for the peanut butter lover in your life – even if that person is YOU!
      If you’re looking for other ways to make winter cozy with peanut butter and chocolate, try my Peanut Butter Cup Hot Cocoa Bombs!

      Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Torte

      Heather Baird

      This brownie torte is rich with layers of brownie, whipped peanut butter filling, and ganache. I made this recipe in a specialty silicone pan that has the shape of a peanut butter cup, see the blog post for product link. If you don’t have the silicone pan, this dessert can easily be made in a 9-inch round springform pan.
      See the recipe notes for a smaller 8×8-inch version of this torte.

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      Prep Time 25 minsCook Time 25 mins2 hours chill time 2 hrsTotal Time 2 hrs 50 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 12

      Equipment9-inch specialty silicone baking panor 9-inch springform pan
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Brownie layer6 oz. semisweet chocolate chopped1/2 cup unsalted butter cubed1/2 cup granulated sugar1/2 cup light brown sugar packed1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 cup creamy peanut butter2 large eggs1 egg yolk1 teaspoon vanilla extract3/4 cup all-purpose flour2 tablespoons dark cocoa powderWhipped peanut butter filling1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter3/4 cup unsalted butter softened2 cups confectioners’ sugarPinch of salt1 teaspoon vanilla extractButter ganache2 cups semisweet chocolate chopped (about 12 oz.)1 cup unsalted butter cubed1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea saltMaldon sea salt for garnish
      Instructions Brownie layerPreheat the oven to 350°F.Coat a 9-inch silicone pan or springform pan with flour-based baking sprayPlace the chocolate and butter in a large microwave-safe mixing bowl. Heat at 100% power in a household microwave oven in 30 second intervals, until the mixture can be stirred smooth (about 1 minute 30 seconds total).Add the sugar, brown sugar, and salt; whisk until combined. Whisk in the peanut butter, eggs and yolk, and the vanilla.Sift the flour and cocoa powder over the mixture. Fold together until well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. If using a silicone pan, place it on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the brownie is well set. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, or speed cooling in the refrigerator, about 30 minutes.Whipped peanut butter layerIn the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the creamy peanut butter, butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt. Beat on high speed for 3-5 minutes, occasionally scraping down the bowl. Beat until lightened in color and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract. Scoop the whipped mixture on top of the cooled brownie and spread evenly over the entire surface. If using a silicone pan, place the pan in the freezer about 30 minutes. If using a springform pan, place in the refrigerator while you prepare the butter ganache.Butter ganachePlace the butter and chocolate in a large microwave safe bowl. Heat at 100% power in a household microwave oven in 30 second intervals, until the mixture can be whisked smooth and a shiny ganache is formed (about 1 minute 30 seconds total).Pour the ganache over the chilled peanut butter layer and tilt the pan so that the ganache touches the edges of the pan.If using the silicone pan, freeze the layered brownie until completely solid, about 2 hours. To unmold, gently pull the edges of the pan away from the dessert, then remove from the pan. Let it come to room temperature before serving. If using a regular springform pan, refrigerate the dessert for 2-3 hours, or until the ganache is well set. To unmold, soak a tea towel with hot water and wring out; place around the edge of the springform pan to loosen the ganache and peanut butter from the springform collar. Unclip the collar and unmold.Garnish the torte with Maldon flake sea salt. Let the torte come to room temperature before serving.
      NotesWhat to expect:
      This is a rich dessert with three equal portions of brownie, peanut butter filing, and ganache. It is best served at room temperature, around 70°F. This softens the ganache and peanut butter layers and the flavors are more developed.
      The ganache layer makes this dessert very rich. If you’d like to lighten this torte, use a thinner layer of ganache.
      For a thinner ganache layer, halve the ingredient amounts to 1 cup semisweet chocolate and 1/2 cup of butter.
      Smaller brownie pan batch: Make the brownie batter as directed and bake in a greased 8×8 inch square pan. Halve the whipped peanut butter filling ingredients and layer on top of the brownies. Halve the ganache recipe and layer on top of the peanut butter layer. Chill well as directed; slice and serve from the pan.

      Keyword butter ganache, dark chocolate brownies, maldon sea salt, whipped peanut butter filling

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Kit Kat Cake

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      This chocolatey Kit Kat Cake holds two yellow cake layers covered with chocolate ganache frosting. Rows of Kit Kat bars lined around the edge of the cake makes for the easiest cake decorating!

      I recently found myself with a big stack of king-size Kit Kat candy bars and a pound of fresh strawberries that needed to be used ASAP. Friends and family often bestow these kinds of gifts upon me because they know I’ll make good use of them. And I’m more than happy to be the recipient! I’ve always known that someday I’d get around to making a Kit Kat Cake. Fate stepped in with the ingredients so, here’s my take on it!

      My version starts with two yellow cake layers. Kit Kats have two crunchy yellow wafers inside each piece, so I felt this was a fitting choice. The sponge gets its yellow color from butter and lots of egg yolks. It’s an easy batter to put together and divides easily between two 8-inch cake pans.

      Two ingredient chocolate frosting.
      If you have a favorite chocolate buttercream made with cocoa powder or another beloved chocolate frosting recipe, it can be used in place of the provided ganache recipe. But this chocolate ganache takes only two ingredients to make: chocolate and heavy cream. And it’s absolutely divine on this cake. Even better? You can make it in the microwave using chocolate chips. Bar chocolate is usually best for ganache. But as long as the chips have actual cocoa butter in the ingredients list, you can use them for this recipe.

      Let the ganache thicken to spreading consistency. This will take some time in the refrigerator with a little babysitting. Which means, you’ll need to check on it and intermittently stir the ganache while gauging its firmness.

      Easy decorating!
      Spread the ganache around the cake’s edges. This doesn’t even require neatness. Because the chocolate is covered by the Kit Kat candy bars, it doesn’t have to be perfect.
      Line up the Kit Kat bars standing upright around the sides of the cake. Break them apart beforehand. Doing so helps them to form better to the round edge of the cake. It also makes for easier cake slicing.

      After frosting the cake’s edges, you’ll have leftover ganache. Microwave the remaining ganache for a few seconds to make it thin and pourable. But try not to get it too hot. It doesn’t take much time to turn spreadable ganache to pourable chocolate in the microwave. Just 20-30 seconds, usually. Ganache is extremely meltable.
      Pour the ganache inside the top of the cake. Spread it around evenly. The chocolate bars create a reservoir to hold the melted ganache. Next, chill the cake in the refrigerator until everything is nice and firm.

      Add a little shine.
      Meanwhile, melt some strawberry jam in the microwave. Add a drop of liquid red food color. This gives the berries a boost of sweetness and makes their hue more intense. If you’re averse to using the food color, leave it out. But don’t skip the glazing altogether! It makes the berries shiny and the cake looks bakery-worthy. I’ve used this technique before on my favorite Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake. It really makes a dessert look ‘finished’.

      A cake for all occasions.
      The tied-on ribbon is optional, but I love the effect! And the toppings can be endlessly varied. Some people opt for M&M candies inside the top edge of the cake. You could use red and green M&Ms for Christmas. Or pastel colors for Easter. And it would be so easy to coordinate them with seasonal ribbons and bows.
      The strawberries offer a fresh bite that I just love with the chocolate. As pictured, it would make a lovely Valentine’s Day sweet. But it’s also a terrific year-round birthday cake!

      This is not a difficult cake to put together, and I love the architectural look the candy bars give it. I keep thinking of all the occasions I can make it for. Birthdays, holidays, even July Fourth with whipped cream, red and blueberries on top. The options are endless!

      Kit Kat Cake

      Heather Baird

      This chocolatey Kit Kat Cake holds two yellow cake layers filled and covered with chocolate ganache frosting. Rows of Kit Kat bars standing upright around the edge of the cake makes decorating so easy!This makes a wonderful birthday cake as-is, or you give the cake a seasonal twist! Replace the glazed strawberries with M&M candies in seasonal colors (such as pastel for Easter, red and green for Christmas). You’ll need about 12 oz. of M&M candies to fill the top of the cake.

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      Prep Time 35 minsCook Time 25 mins1 hour setting time 1 hrTotal Time 2 hrs

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 8

      Equipment8-inch cake pans (2)Pastry brush1/2” red grosgrain ribbon, optional
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Yellow cake layers3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking powder3/4 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature2 cups granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla extract6 large egg yolks1 3/4 cups buttermilkGanache frosting and décor2 cups semisweet chocolate chips or bar chocolate finely chopped1 cup heavy cream9 Kit Kat Milk Chocolate Candy Bars 1.5 oz. each15 fresh whole strawberries about 1 lb.1/2 cup prepared strawberry preserves1 drop liquid red food color optional
      Instructions Yellow cakesPreheat the oven to 350°F. Coat two 8-inch cake pans with flour-based baking spray, or grease and flour and set aside.Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and mix on medium-high until the butter is light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the bowl.Turn the mixer to medium-low and add the vanilla and egg yolks, one at a time. Stop the mixer and scrape down the bowl.Turn the mixer to low and add the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix on medium for no more than 30 seconds after the last streaks of the dry ingredients are combined.Evenly divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake for 25-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Let them cool on a wire rack for 7-10 minutes before removing the cakes from their pans. The cakes will be tender, so remove them with care.When the cakes are completely cool, level the tops with a large serrated knife or cake leveler.Ganache frostingCombine the chocolate and heavy cream in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 100% power in the microwave for 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds. The cream should be hot but not boiling. Allow the mixture to stand for 1 minute, then whisk the mixture together until a shiny, thin ganache forms.Place the ganache in the refrigerator to chill. Stir intermittently over the course of about an hour, until the ganache thickens and comes to spreading consistency. To speed this process, place the ganache in the freezer and stir intermittently over the course of about 30 minutes.AssemblyUnwrap candy bars and have them ready to hand.Place a dot of ganache in the center of a cake plate or cake board. Place a yellow cake layer on top. Fill the cake with about 1/2-inch layer of the ganache; top with the second yellow cake layer. Frost the sides of the cake with the chocolate ganache. Immediately break a candy bar into its individual pieces and line them up around the sides of the cake standing upright. Repeat the process until the entire outside of the cake is covered with the candy bar pieces. Tie the ribbon around the cake, if using.Heat the leftover ganache in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, or just until it turns liquid and pourable. It should not be very hot to the touch. If it is, let it cool slightly before using. Pour the ganache onto the top center of the cake and spread gently with the back of a spoon. Refrigerate the cake until the ganache is set, about 30 minutes.Wash and thoroughly dry the strawberries. Stir the preserves and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds or until loosened. Stir in the food color, if using. Using a pastry brush, coat each strawberry with the preserves and place on the top of the cake, stacking them slightly off center.To serve, slice cake between the Kit Kat bars and add a strawberry or two on top of each slice. Store the cake, covered, in the refrigerator. Bring slices to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
      NotesWhat to expect:
      This cake reminds me of a classic yellow birthday cake with chocolate frosting. The yellow cake is enriched with egg yolks and has a wonderfully buttery flavor. The chocolate ganache frosting is a simple yet rich addition. The glazed strawberries add a nice fresh bite and fruity foil to all that chocolate.
      In my instructions, I frost the sides of the cake with the spreadable ganache, then microwave the leftover ganache for a pourable topping that creates a shiny finish. If you’d like to skip this step, just frost the entire cake with the spreadable ganache. 
      The cake layers can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. If you do this, be sure to bring the cake to room temperature before you begin frosting it with the ganache. Ganache sets quickly on a cold surface, and the Kit Kat bars will not stick to the cold ganache frosting.
       

      Keyword egg yolks, ganache frosting, glazed strawberries, Kit Kat candy bars, yellow butter cake

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Cake

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      Fluffy Swiss meringue buttercream speckled with maraschino cherry chips surrounds three moist dark chocolate cake layers in this Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Cake. It’s a chocolate-covered cherry lover’s dream come true!

      If you haven’t noticed, I’m having a chocolate-cherry moment. I just adore the two flavors. And cooking them up together in my kitchen usually heralds the upcoming sweetheart holiday. It’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is approaching so quickly!
      This cake ticks all the boxes for chocolate cake lovers. With a perfect moist texture, deep chocolate flavor, and buttercream that’s not too sweet, it’s easy to enjoy a big slice. For me, cherry chip will always hold a bit of childhood nostalgia. I wanted this cake reflect that, and perhaps preserve those feelings a little. So I chose retro colors and frilly bakery-style borders for décor. I almost added an old school ballerina cake topper to the center. Maybe next time. (Or for my birthday this year.)

      Coffee and chocolate, the power couple.
      Begin this recipe with bar of semisweet baking chocolate and espresso powder dissolved in hot water. The coffee flavor is undetectable in the baked cake. And it enhances the chocolate so wonderfully, I urge you to use it. It adds depth of flavor and intensity to the chocolate. However, if you simply cannot tolerate caffeine, you can use hot water without the espresso powder.
      Stir the chocolate into the espresso while it is still hot. Then whisk it together until the chocolate is completely dissolved.

      Sifting is important!
      Whisk together the dry ingredients in a big bowl. This includes more chocolate in the form of dark cocoa powder. Cocoa powder is notorious for clumping and it’s even prone to ball up with static electricity if stored in plastic. So, sift the cocoa powder for extra insurance.

      Whip the eggs on high speed until they are thick, pale, and foamy just like the picture above. This will take about 3 minutes. Then, the sour cream, oil, vanilla extract, and the cooled liquid chocolate-coffee mixture gets mixed into the eggs. Next, the dry ingredients are mixed in, and the batter is ready.

      Pour the batter into three 9-inch round cake pans. Expect it to be thin and pourable going into the pans. Because this cake has a high liquid ratio, the cakes won’t crown much. Therefore, you may not even need to level them after baking.

      Swiss Meringue Buttercream
      Swiss meringue buttercream has such a silky texture and it’s not quite as sweet as American buttercream. If you’ve never made it before, then you’re in luck! I have a video to share. I made it years ago, but just recycled it into a new video. It shows you the basics of getting this buttercream right. A very young Biscuit pug also makes an appearance – his muzzle is grey now but he’s just as handsome.

      To make the frilly borders on the cake, remove some of the plain white frosting to piping bags fitted with decorator tips. Also tint a bowl of frosting pink, and another green. I’ll be sure to specify amounts, and the makers and numbers of each tip in the recipe.

      A flurry of cherry chips!
      Then, to the remaining frosting, add maraschino cherry juice and cherry chips. The pink color from the maraschino cherry juice will color the frosting and intensify over time. So if it looks too pale at first, just know that it will deepen as it stands.

      Fill and frost the cake with the cherry chip buttercream. Just like the sprinkle frosting on the Oreo cake I made last week, I recommend an offset spatula instead of a cake smoother or bench scraper to apply the frosting. A bench scraper tends to drag the surface chips through the buttercream and make trails and pock marks. The offset spatula gives you a little more control.

      Frilly finishing touches.
      The cake’s design was unplanned, but I knew there should be some kind of bakery-style border on top. Instead of round swirls, I piped ovals.

      Apply a frilly buttercream skirt with two colors of buttercream and two sizes of the same style piping tip.

      At the last minute, I decided to triple up on the top swirls, with a layer of white and pink buttercream on top of the green.

      The cherry on top is – exactly that! Pat them dry on paper towels before garnishing the cake. If there was any question, now there’s no mistaking this is a true Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Cake.

      This is the chocolate cake to make when you want to show off a little. I’ve made and eaten a lot of chocolate cakes and this one – this chocolate sponge recipe – is my favorite of them all. The layers are baked low and slow, at 300°F for about 50 minutes. The batter is very liquid going into the pan, and baking it at a low temp. for a longer time ensures that not all of that moisture escapes as steam. It retains enough to make the cake so soft and moist.

      Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Cake

      Heather Baird

      Fluffy Swiss meringue buttercream speckled with maraschino cherry chips surrounds three moist dark chocolate cake layers in this Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Cake. Be sure to note that this cake bakes at a low temperature, 300°F. You’ll need 3/4 cup of chopped maraschino cherries from about two 6 oz. jars of whole stemless cherries (the jar’s weight includes the liquid inside). You’ll also need 12 more whole cherries with stems for the top of the cake,, which is another 6 oz. jar of cherries (so stock up!).

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      Prep Time 1 hrCook Time 50 mins40 minutes cooling and chilling time 40 minsTotal Time 2 hrs 30 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 12

      Equipment9 inch cake pans (3)Disposable piping bags (4)Jumbo closed star tip Ateco 856 (1)Large closed star tip Ateco 844(1)Small closed star tip Ateco 30 (2)
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Dark chocolate cake layersFlour-based baking spray for the pans1 1/2 cups hot water almost boiling3 tablespoons espresso powder3 oz. semisweet chocolate finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour2 1/2 cups granulated sugar1/2 cup light brown sugar1 1/2 cups unsweet dark cocoa powder sifted2 teaspoons baking soda3/4 teaspoons baking powder1 1/4 teaspoons fine grain salt3 large eggs3/4 cup vegetable oil1 1/2 cups sour cream2 teaspoons vanilla extractMaraschino cherry chip Swiss meringue buttercream8 large egg whites about 1 cup or 8 oz.2 cups granulated sugar3 cups unsalted butter at room temperature1 tablespoon almond extract1/4 teaspoon fine grain saltPink gel food colorPastel green gel food color such as Wilton1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice from the jar3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries patted dry on paper towels12 whole maraschino cherries with stems patted dry
      Instructions Dark chocolate cake layersPreheat oven to 300°F.Coat three 9-inch round cake pans with the flour-based baking spray. Alternatively, grease and flour the pans.Place the hot water in a large glass measure with a pour spout. Stir in the espresso powder. Add the chopped chocolate and let stand for 2 minutes. Whisk until the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.Sift together the flour, sugars, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment, beat the eggs on high speed until they are pale and thick, about 3 minutes. Add the oil, sour cream, vanilla extract, and the melted chocolate-espresso mixture. Add the flour mixture and mix on medium speed until combined.Divide the batter between the three prepared pans (batter will be thin). Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the middles are slightly puffed and spring back when pressed in their centers. The layers won’t crown much so you shouldn’t have to level the cakes.Let the cakes cool in the pans 5 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely. The cake layers can be made 1 day ahead and kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap.Maraschino cherry chip Swiss meringue buttercreamPlace a saucepan filled 1/3 full of water over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.In a large stainless-steel bowl, combine the egg whites and sugar. Set the bowl over the simmering water and cook while whisking intermittently. Cook until the mixture is hot (110°F) and you can no longer feel sugar granules when the mixture is rubbed between your finger and thumb. Transfer the hot mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed for 10 minutes or until a thick, shiny meringue forms that holds stiff peaks. The bowl should feel cool to the touch. If it doesn’t, refrigerate the meringue in the bowl for 10 minutes. Return the bowl to the mixer and swap the whisk attachment for the paddle attachment.Beat the room temperature butter into the meringue one cube at a time on medium-low speed, waiting to add the next cube when the previous cube disappears. The batter will deflate with the butter addition, and may even look curdled (if the butter was the slightest bit cold this happens), but this is normal. When all of the butter is added, beat the mixture on high speed until light in color and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the almond extract and salt.Remove 1 cup of the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a jumbo closed star tip.Remove 1/3 cup of the white buttercream to piping bag fitted with a small closed star tip.Remove 2/3 cup of the white buttercream to a bowl and tint with a drop of the pink gel food color to create a pastel pink hue. Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a small closed star tip.Remove 2/3 cup of the buttercream to a bowl and tint with the pastel green gel food color until a soft but saturated green color is achieved. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large closed star tip. Set the piping bags aside as you prepare the remaining frosting.Return the bowl to the standing mixer fitted with the whip attachment and beat in 1/4 cup of the maraschino cherry juice. This will take a few minutes to incorporate, as the liquid will be a little resistant to the butter in the frosting. When the liquid is incorporated, add the second 1/4 cup and mix well. Fold in the cherry chips using a large rubber spatula.AssemblyPlace a chocolate cake layer on your choice of serving plate, cake board, or cake stand. Fill with a 1/4” thickness of the cherry chip buttercream; top with a second cake layer. Fill with another 1/4” layer of buttercream. Place the final cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with the cherry chip buttercream. Use an offset spatula to evenly smooth the frosting. Chill the cake until the buttercream is firm, about 15 minutes. The frosting color will intensify slightly as it chills.When the buttercream is firm, use the green buttercream with the large closed star tip to pipe 12 ovals on the top edge of the cake. Top the green ovals with ovals of white buttercream using the white bag of buttercream fitted with the small closed star tip. Top the white buttercream with ovals of pink buttercream. Place a cherry with a stem in the center of each triple stacked oval.Using the bag of white buttercream fitted with the jumbo closed star tip, pipe a shell border around the bottom edge of the cake. Just above the large white shell border, use the pink buttercream to pipe a smaller shell border.Cake will keep at room temperature for 3 days, or store it in the refrigerator for longevity. It will keep about 6 days in the refrigerator if well covered. Bring slices to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
      NotesWhat to expect:
      This is a supremely moist chocolate cake. The layers are tender and the flavor is dark, with hints of Oreo cookie  due to the dark cocoa powder. The cherry chip frosting is silky and not too sweet. Almond extract boosts the maraschino cherry flavor in the frosting.
      3/4 cup of cherry chips is about 5 oz. total weight. You’ll need two 6 oz. jars of stemless maraschino cherries for this because the jar’s weight includes the liquid. I used an electric mini chopper to process the cherries into fine chips. You could do the same or use a large food processor, or simply chop them by hand. Be sure to drain the cherries well before you chop them into chips.

      Keyword dark chocolate cake layers, dark cocoa powder, instant espresso powder, maraschino cherries, maraschino cherry chip Swiss meringue buttercream, semisweet chocolate

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Oreo Cake

      ha scritto per te

      The flavors of Cookies and Cream never tasted better than in a big slice of this Oreo Cake. Layers of white sour cream cake hold chunks of Oreo cookies. It’s wrapped in creamy white buttercream speckled with real chocolate sprinkles.

      Yet another cake I’ve been dreaming of making for too long, is an Oreo Cake. I’ve seen a lot of different versions online, and I’ve been eager to put my own spin on it. But each time I started, I’d get side tracked with a different Oreo cookie inspiration (Cookies and Cream Cheesecake, anyone? Or how about Oreo Peanut Butter Pie Cups?). Finally, I sat down and hashed out a formula for three fluffy white-sour cream cake layers loaded with Oreo cookie chunks. After some testing, I had a great base on which to build a truly delicious Cookies and Cream cake recipe.

      Cookies ‘n (sour) cream cake batter.
      First, separate the Oreo cookies and their cream centers. In my (very specific) Oreo Cake research, I found that many bakers who left the cream centers in had problems. Some had sticking and tunneling occur when the cream centers melted under the heat. I’m not looking to have big gaping holes in my cakes. So, just leave them out. It does not compromise the Oreo flavor at all.
      The batter whips up pale and fluffy, which is the perfect color and texture to show off those dark cookie pieces. Instead of folding the cookie pieces into the batter, sprinkle them over the batter in the 8-inch cake pans and lightly tamp them in with an offset spatula.

      The cookie pieces will sink down even more as the cakes bake. When you take them out of the oven, the tops will be a little uneven due to the cake puffing around the cookie pieces. Lay a paper towel on top of the warm cake in the pan. Then lightly press the top flat. Don’t over do this – you’re not trying to compress the cake crumb, just knock down some of the high spots. And be careful not to get burned. Steam will be expelled as you press, so use a light touch.

      Chocolate sprinkle buttercream.
      This recipe uses American buttercream, which is the simple combination of butter, confectioners’ sugar, and milk or cream. For this recipe, don’t use grass-fed cow butter. It’s usually more expensive and more yellow in color. Just go for the grade A grocery store brand that is pale in color. As a result, and with lots of whipping, your buttercream will turn white, just like Oreo cream filling. This removes the need for any kind of artificial whitener in the frosting.
      Instead of the usual Oreo cookie crumbs, add real chocolate sprinkles to the buttercream. Not the waxy fake kind. Instead, purchase real chocolate sprinkles such as an imported Dutch brand. (Dark chocolate “vermicelli” is also great!) They’ll make a huge difference in the flavor!

      Stack up those cookies ‘n (sour) cream cake layers with the buttercream. Smooth the frosting all over the cake evenly. I recommend using a large offset spatula to smooth on the frosting. A bench scraper just seems to drag the sprinkles through the frosting leaving trail marks. A spatula is more precise and effective at smoothing on sprinkle-y frosting.

      Use a large open star tip to pipe swirls of buttercream on top. This allows the chocolate sprinkles to easily flow through the tube. If you used a closed star tip, the sprinkles would clog the tube.

      The final touches are simple. Apply a ganache drip after the swirls are piped on, so that it flows around them. Then, lean whole Oreo cookies on the swirls at an angle.

      The cookies soften to a cake-like consistency in the baked layers. It’s such a nice texture, and the Oreo flavor really comes through. There’s no mistaking that this is a true Cookies and Cream layer cake!

      Oreo Cake

      Heather Baird

      Layers of sour cream cake hold chunks of Oreo Cookies throughout. The layers are stacked and frosted with chocolate sprinkle buttercream, and topped with rich chocolate ganache.

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      Prep Time 30 minsCook Time 30 mins40 minutes chill time 40 minsTotal Time 1 hr 40 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 12

      Equipment8 inch cake pans, 3Large open star piping tip (French pastry tube)Piping bagLarge offset spatula
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Oreo cake layers1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature1 1/2 cups granulated sugar3 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking soda1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder1/2 teaspoon fine grain salt5 egg whites2 teaspoons vanilla extract3/4 cup sour cream at room temperature2/3 cup whole milk at room temperature15 whole Oreo cookies cream centers removedChocolate sprinkles buttercream1 1/2 cups unsalted butter6 cups confectioners’ sugar2 teaspoons vanilla extractMilk or cream to thin2/3 cup real chocolate sprinkles such as DeRuijterChocolate ganache topping and decor1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips1/4 cup heavy cream6 whole Oreo cookies
      Instructions Oreo cake layersPreheat the oven to 350F.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment, beat the butter until creamy. Sprinkle in the granulated sugar gradually as you mix. Beat until light and fluffy.In a separate large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.In a 4-cup measure or batter bowl with a pour spout, whisk together the egg whites, vanilla, sour cream, and milk.Switch the mixer beater to the paddle attachment Beat 1/3 of the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mixture until just incorporated. Add in half of the liquid mixture; beat until combined. Continue adding 1/3 flour mixture followed by the remaining liquid; end with the flour mixture. Beat until the mixture is lightened in color and fluffy, about 2 minutes.Coat three 8-inch cake pans with flour-based baking spray. Alternatively, grease and flour the pans. Coarsely crush the Oreo cookie shells under your fingers in a large bowl.Divide the cake batter between the prepared pans. Sprinkle each pan with 1/3 of the cookies; lightly tamp the cookies into the batter using the tip of an offset spatula. Smooth the top of the batter with the flat edge of the offset spatula.Bake the cakes for 25-30 minutes, or until the cakes spring back when pressed in the centers. Remove the cakes from the oven. If the tops are lumpy and uneven due to the cake batter puffing around the cookie pieces, flatten gently using a paper towel (see blog post for visual). Do this gently and carefully as steam will escape as you press.Remove cakes to a wire rack to cool completely.ButtercreamBeat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Whip until creamy. Add the confectioners’ sugar. Beat until combined. Add vanilla extract; mix well. Beat on medium speed adding milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture thins to piping consistency. Beat on high speed until the frosting turns almost white in color, about 4 minutes with a timer set. Scrape down the bowl. Beat again on high speed. Fold in the chocolate sprinkles. Remove 2/3 cup of frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip (also called French pastry tube).Fill two of the cooled cake layers with about 1/2 cup of the buttercream on each layer. Spread evenly. Stack them and then place the remaining cake layer on top. Generously cover the cake with the remaining buttercream using an offset spatula. Refrigerate the cake until the frosting firms, about 25 minutes. If the buttercream has trails or pull marks throughout from the sprinkles, warm a large offset spatula in a glass of water, wipe dry, then smooth the frosting with the warm spatula. This will remove most any blemish on the cake’s exterior.Using the reserved piping bag of frosting, pipe six large swirls on the top edge of the cake, well-spaced. Refrigerate the cake while you make the ganache.GanacheIn a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and heavy cream. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Allow the hot mixture to stand for 2 minutes, then whisk together until a smooth, shiny ganache forms. Let cool slightly. The mixture should still be quite liquid and not at all thick before applying to the cake.Spoon the ganache conservatively at the edges of the cake, and around the frosting swirls, to control the amount of drip you desire. Then, pour or spoon more of the ganache onto the top center of the cake, so that it covers the entire center. Immediately lean whole Oreo cookies at an angle against each frosting swirl.Refrigerate cake to set. Store the cake at room temperature in an airtight container.
      NotesWhat to expect: Moist cake layers with a light sour cream tang and Oreo cookie flavor. White cakes are notorious for drying out quickly, so be sure to keep this cake covered. I placed three big slices in a cardboard window bakery box and stored them at room temperature for two days, and they’ve kept surprisingly well. The Oreo chunks remain soft and cake-like.
      Butter. In the blog post I mention using grade A grocery store butter (Such as Kroger, Publix, etc.). These butter varieties are usually made from corn-fed cows. The butter will be pale yellow, which is desirable in this recipe for white buttercream. The butter will not say ‘made from milk from corn-fed cows’ so this may seem confusing. Just avoid any butter that boasts ‘grass-fed’ on the label because it will be more yellow in color.

      Keyword chocolate sprinkles, oreo cookies, sour cream cake layers, white buttercream, white chocolate ganache

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Nerds Candy Cake

      ha scritto per te

      This Nerds Candy Cake will bring fun and lots of fruit flavor to your next happy celebration. A crunchy candy exterior holds a rainbow of tropical-tasting cake layers inside.

      I’ve had the idea for this candy cake for such a long time, I can’t believe it’s finally a reality. Nerds candy is a favorite of mine. And I’ve even been known to add more than a sprinkle to my frozen yogurt. The last couple of days we’ve had snowy weather here. So I used those icy cold days to stay warm near the oven, baking up a rainbow of fruity cake layers.

      The best batter for the job.
      First, whip up a big batch of my trusty white wedding cake batter (originally posted to this blog 9 years ago!). I just adore this white cake recipe, because you don’t have to whip egg whites to stiff peaks in a separate bowl. Which – if you’re an avid baker you know – is the usual affair for most white cakes (like this one). This pale batter takes on color beautifully, and it has a sturdy crumb without being dry. I’ve scaled the recipe to perfectly fit in five 6-inch round cake pans.

      Taste the (neon) rainbow!
      I flavored the layers with a dram bottle of LorAnn Tropical Punch flavoring oil. The cake will have fruity flavor to match its candy exterior. And for the eye-popping food colors, I used the brightest I had on hand. Which turned out to be neon pink, neon orange, and neon yellow. Leaf green and regal purple were the only non-neon colors I used.
      Next, whip up a big batch of American buttercream flavored with orange extract. Orange works well with the tropical fruit flavor in the layers. And the entire cake will make your kitchen smell like fruit punch! Stack the layers with the frosting in rainbow fashion, starting with purple and working upwards to pink.

      A sticky situation.
      After the cake is entirely frosted and thoroughly chilled, spray it with a mixture of corn syrup and water. Or you can use cake decorator’s glucose syrup. It’s just a light mist that really holds on to the candy and gives an extra ounce of adherence. Chill the cake for about 10 minutes more to allow the spray to become sticky.

      Candy Crush.
      Pour out a boatload of Nerds candy on a large baking sheet. (You can find them in bulk here.) Then roll the cake in the candy. Shake the pan between rolling to fill in the bare spots on the pan, and re-roll repeatedly. Use one hand on the bottom cake board and the other on top of the cake to pick it up and roll. The frosting will melt quickly at body temperature, so expect some smudges on top. But don’t worry – this will be totally covered up with frosting swirls.

      Add big swirls of buttercream on top of the cake, then immediately sprinkle with more candy. American buttercream sets quickly, so be swift with your sprinkling.

      Make a fun edible cake topper!
      I’d always imagined my Nerds Candy Cake wearing a funny, nerdy, propeller beanie. So, the question remained for a long time – what should it be made of? Turns out, chocolate was the answer. Partly. I used my large half sphere mold to form the base of the chocolate beanie. If you have a hot cocoa bomb mold, that will work perfectly.
      Heat the pointed end of a metal cocktail pick with a chef’s torch or hold it to the eye of the stove for a few seconds. Then, melt a hole in the top center of the dome with it. Spray the dome with the same solution used to adhere the candy to the cake, then cover the dome in fondant. Make a little hole in the top of the fondant with a toothpick.

      A few brushstrokes.
      Apply some edible paint (vodka + gel food color) to the dome and dab with a textured paper towel to create a fabric appearance. I applied pink, orange, and yellow in thirds, which made a really cute beanie! The beads on top that hold the propeller are from a beaded toothpick (found here) inserted through the center.

      Prop the beanie to the side of the cake on a large skewer, then thread the toothpick through the top hole. There will be just enough room on top of the toothpick to place a propeller. I had made one out of green gum paste, but it did not spin easily. Instead of over-thinking it, I made one with green card stock – and it spins!
      What a fun cake this is to make! It’s so colorful and bursting with bright fruity flavor. I think it would make an excellent birthday cake for kids, or you know. For big kids like me (wink).

      These are some seriously (bright!) tasty layers, and one slice is a generous serving. We divvied slices up by cutting a single tall piece through the center at the yellow layer. Which, let’s be honest, is a more reasonable portion size. The cake flavors reflect the fruity taste of the candy perfectly.
      I’m so happy to see this cake come to life. It’s a bit of an effort, but so fun and special-occasion worthy. I think it would look just about perfect with birthday candles on top.

      Nerds Candy Cake

      Heather Baird

      A slice of this Nerds Candy Cake is like happiness on a plate. It will bring fun and lots of fruit flavor to your next birthday party or holiday. A crunchy candy exterior holds a rainbow of tropical-tasting cake layers inside.Use purchased cake flour which contains 7% protein for this recipe. Homemade cake flour made with cornstarch just doesn’t work as well. Cornstarch cannot cut the protein in all-purpose flour like a flour mill can, so for best results use a brand such as Swan’s Down or King Arthur Cake Flour.

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      Prep Time 1 hrCook Time 30 mins2 hours setting/drying time 2 hrsTotal Time 3 hrs 30 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 16

      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Rainbow Cake LayersOrange Buttercream2 cups unsalted butter at room temperature8 cups confectioners’ sugar 2 lb. bagMilk or cream to thin2 tablespoons orange extract
      Instructions Cake layersPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat the cake pans with flour based baking spray.Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Whisk together egg whites and milk in a separate bowl; set aside.Beat the butter using the paddle attachment until soft and creamy. Add sugar gradually and beat until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Beat in tropical punch flavoring oil.Add flour mixture alternately with the egg white/milk mixture. Begin and end with flour mixture and beat until smooth on medium-low speed after each addition.Divide batter between five bowls, about 1 2/3 level cups per bowl. Tint each bowl with the food color so that you have a bowl of bright pink, orange, yellow, green, and purple. Add food color a little at a time until a brilliant color is achieved. Pour the batters into the prepared pans.Bake the cakes at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan, then turn out and cool completely on a wire rack. Level the tops of the cakes using a serrated knife or cake leveler.Orange buttercreamCombine the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Beat on low speed until just combined. Add a little milk or cream and increase mixer speed. Add milk or cream a tablespoon at a time until it comes to spreading consistency. Beat in orange extract. Whip on high speed until the buttercream is white and fluffy.Remove 1 1/4 cups of the buttercream to a piping bat fitted with a large closed star tip. Set aside for later use.Place the purple cake layer on a cake board and top it with 1/3 cup of the buttercream. Continue to stack the cake layers and frosting in this order, purple, green, yellow, orange, pink. Frost the entire cake evenly with the buttercream. Use a bench scraper or cake smoother to achieve an even coat. Refrigerate the cake until the buttercream is firm, about 1 hour.DecoratePlace the corn syrup and water in a small kitchen-dedicated spray bottle; shake the bottle well to incorporate. Lightly mist the cake’s sides with the mixture and refrigerate 10 minutes.Pour the Nerds candy onto a large baking sheet. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and roll the cake’s sides in the candy. Place one hand on the bottom cake board and the other on the top of the frosted cake and quickly roll, picking up the cake this way to re-roll. Shake the pan to redistribute the candy across the pan and roll again. Allow the weight of the cake to naturally pick up the candy. The cake should be mostly covered with the candy when you turn it upright. If you see bare spots, pat Nerds candy onto the areas with your hands.Use the reserved bag of frosting to pipe tall swirls of buttercream on top of the entire cake; immediately sprinkle with more candy (about 2 tablespoons).Edible propeller beanieUsing an art brush, coat one of the half sphere cavities with the melted chocolate; freeze for 5 minutes. Re-coat the cavity with more chocolate to make it sturdy; freeze again until solid. Turn the half sphere out onto a work surface. Heat a metal cocktail pick on with a chef’s torch (or on the stove eye) for a few seconds, then use it to melt a hole in the top center of the chocolate dome. Lightly mist the dome with the corn syrup spray; let set 1 minute.Roll out the kneaded fondant to 1/4-inch thickness and drape over the dome. Smooth evenly to fit around the semicircle, then use a small knife to cut round the bottom edge. Use a toothpick to poke a hole in the top center of the dome where the chocolate was pierced.Place a little of each pink, orange, and yellow gel food colors in small condiment cups. Add drops of vodka to thin. Using a paint brush, paint 1/3 of the beanie with the pink gel food color (see images for design). Pat with the textured paper towel. Repeat the process using the orange and yellow food colors. Let stand until dry, about 25 minutes.Meanwhile, cut a small 3-inch propeller using scissors from a piece of green craft paper. Punch a hole in the center using a metal cocktail pick or an X-Acto knife.Press the bamboo skewer slightly off center in the top of the cake with the blunt side exposed. Gently balance the beanie on top of the skewer. Place a beaded toothpick in the top center hole of the beanie, so that the bead sits on top of the hat. Thread the propeller on top and give it a test spin. If the hole isn’t big enough for it to spin, widen it slightly.Store cake in the refrigerator for longevity. Bring it to room temperature before serving.
      NotesThe long bamboo skewer used to hold the beanie on top of the cake will also serve as a support for the tall stack of cake layers. 
      One slice of cake is a generous portion. Consider cutting one slice at the center yellow layer to create two pieces of cake from just one slice. 
       

      Keyword cake flour, egg whites, Nerds candy, orange buttercream, rainbow cake layers, whole milk

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Sacher Torte

      ha scritto per te

      Sacher Torte is a classic Viennese confection made with chocolate sponge cake and filled with apricot preserves. Shiny chocolate glaze with the originator’s name piped on top makes it a sumptuous dessert.

      Happy New Year, friends! I hope everyone had a nice holiday, or at least got to indulge in eating your favorite baked goods. I’m not much of a resolution-maker, but there is one blog-related thing I’m focusing on in the coming months.
      This year I aim to add more recipes for classic desserts to this blog. I’ve had Classic Sacher Torte on the ‘to bake’ list for a long time. And in the days after Christmas I finally sat down and did much reading and research on this Austrian confection. Earlier this last year my best friend mentioned being intrigued by the apricot-chocolate combination that Sacher Torte is so famous for. Because we spend every New Year’s Eve together, I was inspired to make it as a special ending to our holiday feast.

      Sacher [Sah-ker] Torte was created by sixteen-year-old apprentice chef Franz Sacher in 1832 for Prince Metternich when the court pastry chef fell ill. It was an instant success with royal guests. The original recipe has been kept a closely guarded secret and is yet the subject of litigation, however, it is probably the most famous chocolate cake in the world.
      Research and testing.
      Digging through online articles and old cake tomes returned a common critique to the highly regarded chocolate cake. Even from practiced pastry chefs that sampled the cake at its origin (in Vienna, at Hotel Sacher). The sponge tends to be dry. My testing confirmed this. But there is a simple fix. Much like the Hungarian Dobos Torte I posted last month, it requires a little extra help from simple syrup to live up to the Sacher Torte I’ve dreamed of eating.
      I’ve cobbled together my favorite components from multiple sources (cited in the recipe notes), and the result is lovely. It’s rich and luxurious, moist and tender. The chocolate is lifted by the unique flavor of apricot preserves. Overall, I’m so glad I did my homework.

      Get sifting!
      First of all, in a large bowl, sift together flour, almond flour, cocoa, and a tablespoon of espresso powder. Like most chocolate cakes with the addition of espresso power, its flavor is largely undetectable. It enhances the chocolate and deepens the flavor.

      Next, separate five eggs. The whites will be whipped into billowy peaks separately from the yolks.

      Beat the yolks with sugar until light and thick. Then add melted chocolate and stir it all together.

      Next, alternate folding the flour mixture into the creamed mixture with the whipped whites. Do this carefully so you retain as much volume as possible. The most common mistake a beginner baker can make is to knock all of the air out of the sponge. Use the motion of turning the bottom mixture to the top of the bowl repeatedly, occasionally using the spatula to cut through the center of the batter as you turn bottom-to-top.

      Let’s talk pans. Ideally, use an 8-inch springform pan. I didn’t have one, but I did have an 8×3 inch cake pan. It’s important that the pan have high sides for the sponge batter to climb up during baking. You could probably get by with baking the batter in a 9-inch springform pan, but the single baked sponge is torted in two. So if you do this, expect thinner layers.

      Simple syrup flavored with a spoonful of pureed apricot jam will go far to improve an otherwise dry sponge. It also imparts more apricot flavor.

      Use high quality apricot preserve, jam, or fruit spread for the filling, mixed with a splash of apricot brandy. La Vieja Fabrica is the brand I used, and it makes an excellent filling and tastes as good as homemade apricot preserve.

      Pour on more chocolate!
      The glaze comes together quickly. I was suspicious of its thin consistency, but this is by design. It falls in an even curtain and completely coats the entire cake. Be sure to place the cake on a wire rack over some parchment before you glaze to catch the excess chocolate. And save that chocolate overflow. You’ll use it to pipe the ‘Sacher’ name on top.

      That glaze is really something! It completely envelops the cake and holds in the moisture from the simple syrup and apricot jam. It was such a treat to share this with our party of four on New Year’s Eve. The cake was well-loved and I wouldn’t hesitate to make it again for a special occasion.

      Classic Sacher Torte

      Heather Baird

      Sacher Torte is a world-famous Viennese chocolate cake with rich history and flavor. Plan ahead, because this cake improves over time. The apricot simple syrup and apricot preserve filling need to infuse the chocolate sponge overnight for best results.I use semisweet chocolate in this recipe, but some recipes use bittersweet. The chocolate should have at least 55% cacao content, according to the Sacher website. Semisweet and bittersweet are often used interchangeably, as semisweet is usually 60% cacao.

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      Prep Time 35 minsCook Time 45 mins2 hours setting time 2 hrsTotal Time 3 hrs 20 mins

      Course DessertCuisine Viennese

      Servings 10

      Equipment8 inch springform panPastry brushPiping bag
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Sponge Cake4 oz. semisweet chocolate1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup almond flour1/4 cup unsweet cocoa powder1 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso powder1/4 teaspoon salt8 tablespoons unsalted butter softened1 cup granulated sugar divided5 large eggs whites and yolks separated1/2 teaspoon cream of tartarSimple syrup1/4 cup water1/4 cup granulated sugar1 tablespoon apricot preserves pureedFilling3/4 cup apricot preserves2 tablespoons apricot brandyChocolate glaze1 cup semisweet chocolate chips1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened3/4 cup heavy cream2 tablespoons light corn syrupDécor1/3 cup chocolate sprinklesWhipped cream for serving
      Instructions Begin this cake one day ahead of time so the syrup has time to fully soak into the sponge.Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease and flour a round 8-inch springform pan and line the bottom with a parchment round.CakeBreak the chocolate into pieces and place in a small heatproof bowl. Rest over a saucepan of barely simmering water and leave for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until melted. Alternatively melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl at 30 second increments at 100% power until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.In a bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and salt. Set aside.In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter with 3/4 cup of the sugar until pale and creamy, about 4 minutes. Add the yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition until thick. Fold in the cooled chocolate. Set aside.Whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar in the bowl of an electric mixer until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Increase speed to high and gradually add in the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar; whisk until firm peaks form about 2 minutes more.Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the creamed mixture to loosen it. Fold 1/3 of the flour mixture into the creamed butter mixture. The mixture will be thick and folding may seem awkward but keep going. Gently fold in another 1/3 of the egg whites – do this carefully as to not delate the batter. Keep as much volume as possible. Fold in the remaining flour mixture. Finally, fold in the remaining egg whites, all the while folding gently. This will take several minutes of careful mixing to incorporate all the whites.Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top develops a slight crack and is slightly puffed. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean with a few crumbs attached.Turn the cake out onto a wire rack topside down; peel away the parchment. The puffed top should flatten with the weight of being turned upside down. Cool the cake completely. If the puffed top doesn’t fully flatten, trim it flat with a serrated knife. Cut the cake in half horizontally (torte) using a cake leveler or serrated knife.Simple syrupStir together the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar is melted. Cool slightly. Stir in the pureed apricot preserves until melted. Using a pastry brush, coat the insides of the cake with half of the syrup.FillingStir together the preserves and apricot brandy. Fill the bottom half of the cake with the mixture. Top with the remaining cake half. Brush the top and sides of the cake with the remaining simple syrup mixture.GlazePlace the chocolate chips and butter in a large measuring cup with a pour spout. In a small saucepan, stir together the heavy cream and corn syrup; place over medium high heat. Cook while stirring until the mixture is hot and steams but does not boil. Immediately pour over the chocolate and butter. Let stand 5 minutes. Whisk together until chocolate is melted and smooth.Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top. Place the cake on top of the wire rack. Pour the glaze over the cake beginning in the center and circling outwards to the edges so it flows down the sides of the cake. The chocolate will overflow the cake and drip down onto the parchment. Allow the cake to stand on the rack until the chocolate sets, about 2 hours, or place in the refrigerator to speed setting. Transfer the cake to a serving plate or cake stand.DécorGently pat chocolate sprinkles around the bottom edge of the cake. Brush away excess using a clean pastry brush.Using a spatula, scrape the chocolate that overflowed onto the parchment into a piping bag with a tiny hole cut in the end. Pipe in scrolling letters “Sacher’ on top of the cake. You will have leftover chocolate, so you may choose to pipe more detail around the edge of the cake.
      NotesThis recipe is cobbling of my favorite components and advice from multiple sources such as King Arthur Baking, New York Times, Sacher.com, Chowhound.com and a host of baking books including Ultimate Cake by Barbara Maher.
      Depending on the brand or maker, apricot preserves range from small diced fruit to sliced chunks. If your preserves are the latter, pulse them in a food processor to finer pieces. They’ll spread easier and the cake will cut more evenly. I use a splash of apricot brandy in the filling. This is largely accepted as part of the original recipe, but feel free to omit it to suit your tastes or needs.
      The chocolate sprinkles are optional, and a last-minute decision as I decorated the cake. They add an extra touch of chocolate, which is never a bad thing.

      Keyword apricot preserve, bourbon simple syrup, chocolate glaze, instant espresso powder, unsweet cocoa powder

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Mini Eggnog Bundt Cakes with Gingerbread Cookie Antlers

      ha scritto per te

      These Mini Eggnog Bundt Cakes are flavored with prepared eggnog and brushed with golden rum syrup. Gingerbread cookie antlers add a touch of seasonal fun.

      ‘Tis the season to enjoy alll of the eggnog! I’ll take mine in the form of these mini eggnog bundt cakes. The eggnog flavor really carries through, and it’s enhanced by a golden rum syrup that soaks into the sponge. Gingerbread antler cookies are too cute and so tasty. Place a cookie atop each bundt cake to create a really sweet table display.

      Start with the fluffy cake batter portioned into four (or more) mini bundt pans. This recipe will make about 8 minis, or you can bake the batter into one large 12 cup bundt pan.

      Bake the bundts for 28-30 minutes. Mine cooked perfectly in 30 minutes. Next, bubble up some butter-rum soaking syrup on the stovetop. Poke holes in the cakes, then spoon or brush on the syrup.

      Nothing beats a classic!
      For the antlers, whip up a batch of my gingerbread house dough. It’s quite good and easy to work with. The antler cutter I used can be found here. Cutting the shapes is easy when the dough is chilled, but it’s a little fiddly getting the cookie dough out of the cutter. Even with a floured cutter I had to coax the dough out with a pinky finger inserted into each antler-end.

      You’ll need 8 cookies for toppers, or if you’re baking the batter in one large bundt pan you could serve them on the side. Either way, you’ll have lots of gingerbread cookie dough left over if you make the entire recipe. But since this is cookie season, I’m sure you won’t mind stamping out some extra gingerbread folk!

      Stand an antler cookie upright on top of each bundt cake and insert a toothpick behind a tall end of the antler. The toothpick keeps the cookie propped upright.

      These mini eggnog bundt cakes are so tender and lovely. The eggnog is truly present in flavor with the rum sauce carrying a light boozy note. These would make wonderful gifts, or arranged together for a fun centerpiece.
      The cookies will soften over time if left on the moist cake. Serve these soon after you assemble them.

      Mini Eggnog Bundt Cakes with Gingerbread Cookie Antlers

      Heather Baird

      These Mini Eggnog Bundt Cakes are flavored with prepared eggnog and brushed with golden rum syrup. Gingerbread cookie antlers add a touch of seasonal fun. Don’t have mini bundt pans? See the recipe notes for instructions on how to make this into one large bundt cake.

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      Prep Time 25 minsCook Time 30 minsTotal Time 55 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 8

      Equipment4 1/2 x 2 inch mini bundt pans (4)3 1/2 inch deer antler cookie cutterPastry brush
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Bundt cakes1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature1 cup brown sugar1/2 cup granulated sugar4 large eggs at room temperature3 tablespoons golden rum or spiced rum1 teaspoon vanilla extract3 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt1 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 cup eggnog commercially prepared, room temp.Rum syrup1/2 cup unsalted butter1/4 cup water1 cup sugar1/4 teaspoon salt1/2 cup golden rum1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
      Instructions Mini bundt cakesPreheat the oven to 350F. Coat four 4 1/2 x 2 inch mini bunt pans with flour-based baking spray and set the pans on a large baking sheet.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes on medium-high. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well to incorporate before adding the next egg. Mix in the golden rum and vanilla extract.In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the creamed mixture. Mix until just combined. Add half of the eggnog; mix until just combined. Alternate the remaining flour and eggnog additions, ending with the flour mixture. Mix each addition until just combined and do not overmix. Scrape down the bowl and fold together any pockets of butter of flour by hand.Divide the batter evenly between the four mini bundt pans, filling them about 3/4 full. Cover the remaining batter in the bowl with a tea towel.Bake for 25-30 minutes. A toothpick tester inserted into the cake should come out clean when it’s done. Let cool in the pans 5 minutes, then gently turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.Wash and dry pans; re-coat with flour-based baking spray. Bake the remaining batter in the four mini bundt pans as before. Gently turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.Rum syrupIn a medium saucepan combine the syrup ingredients except the vanilla. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat then reduce to a simmer. Cook 5-8 minutes, or until the syrup thicken slightly. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract.Crumple a large piece of aluminum foil and place on a baking pan large enough to hold all 8 cakes. Place mini bundt cakes upside down on the foil. Position the cakes so the foil cushions the tops of the cakes. Use a toothpick to poke holes all over the bottoms of the cakes. Spoon some of the syrup over the bottoms of the cakes. Allow the syrup to soak in, about 10 minutes. Gently turn cakes over and lightly brush on more of the syrup using a soft pastry brush. You may not have to use all of the syrup.AssemblyFollow instructions for preparing and rolling the gingerbread dough in the linked post. Cut the dough using the deer antler cutter. Cut at least 8 antlers for toppers, and cut more to serve on the side of the cakes. Place the cut-outs on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the gingerbread antlers are puffed and fragrant. Cool completely before using as cake toppers.Just before serving, place an antler upright on each cake. Use a toothpick inserted just behind one side of an antler to prop it up.
      NotesWhat to expect: These mini cakes have a soft sponge and a moist texture with notes of rum. The eggnog flavor is obvious and so delicious.
      Top the cakes with the cookie antlers up to an hour before serving. Any longer and they will lose their crispness over time. The cookies will soften due to the moisture of the cake. Some of my cakes that sat 24 hours topped with the cookies (covered in plastic wrap) softened considerably. The cookies were still delicious but their texture was fragile and more cake-like than cookie. 
      For one large cake, coat a 10 or 12 cup bundt pan with flour-based baking spray. Prepare batter as directed. Spread evenly in the bundt pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick tester comes in clean. Cool in the pan 10 minutes. Poke holes in the bottom of the cake using a long skewer and pour some of the rum syrup over the cake. Let stand until absorbed, about 20 minutes. Turn the cake out of the pan and brush with more of the syrup. 
      This recipe was researched and adapted from several recipes online, with thanks and kind regards to The Little Epicurean and Homemade Hooplah. The rum syrup recipe is adapted from King Arthur Baking’s Caribbean-Style Rum Cake. 

      Keyword eggnog, golden rum syrup, nutmeg, unsalted butter

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Hungarian Dobos Torte

      ha scritto per te

      Dobos Torte is a traditional Hungarian cake with thin layers of light sponge filled with rich chocolate buttercream. A showy caramel garnish makes it an eye-catching holiday centerpiece.

      Dobos torte is such a classic special occasion cake with rich history and flavor. Although the number of layers are often debated (6, 7, 8, 11?) everyone can agree it is both beautiful and delicious.
      The cake is named for its creator, József Dobos. The finer details of the original Dobos torte recipe were lost in the Second World War. Perhaps that’s why the recipes are so varied today. This this six layer cake is a fine version of Dobos Torte. It is balanced with light sponge layers and rich chocolate buttercream, and makes a very pretty holiday centerpiece.
      The Hungarian pastry chef József C. Dobos created this torte in the late 1800’s. Its decoration was considered minimalistic compared to the elaborate cakes of that era. The cake was such a sensation throughout Europe, it was often poorly reproduced by other pastry shops. Dobos donated his recipe to the local Confectioner and Gingerbread Industry Board so pastry chefs would have access to the true recipe, and to halt the bad imitations.-Researched and paraphrased from Dobos C. Joseph Memory Book, The Hungarian Gastronomy Book

      Feather light sponge layers.
      These days the sponge for traditional Dobos Torte is made with potato starch and flour. And like most sponge cakes the egg whites are whipped separately from the fatty yolk mixture. No surprises there. But take care not to over whip the egg whites or your cake will be too dry. Look for stiff peaks with a glossy finish. If you have stiff peaks with a dry or matte finish, you’ve gone too far.

      Use pasteurized eggs for this buttercream.
      The buttercream is wonderfully rich and silky, and that’s due to uncooked egg yolks whipped with the butter, sugar, and chocolate. This method for buttercream was new to me, but it’s not unlike the raw egg yolk custard in My Favorite Tiramisu. It is highly unlikely that microorganisms will grow in such a fatty, sugary frosting, and using yolks from pasteurized eggs is the most preventative measure. So, use them! And save your farm fresh eggs for the sponge layers.
      From my research, the addition of yolks aims to replicate the texture of the original buttercream that Mr. Dobos made. Based on the information available, his recipe used cocoa mass (cocoa liquor) and cocoa butter which are not usual staples in the home baker’s kitchen. So this is our more approachable option. If you remain dubious about using raw eggs, see the recipe notes for a quick chocolate buttercream that does not use egg yolks.

      The buttercream is not only the filling, but also the covering. I pressed in some sliced almonds while the frosting was still tacky, but you could use pecans, walnuts, or the traditional favorite which is hazelnuts.

      You’ll have plenty of frosting left over to pipe large swirls on top of the cake. These are important because they prop up the cake’s eye-catching garnish of hard caramel.

      The design creates an almost a windmill effect, and it’s beautiful from a bird’s eye view. The recipe is simply sugar and lemon juice cooked to amber hard caramel stage. It sounds really simple but timing is everything.

      How to make the caramel garnish.
      First, use the bottom of the same 8″ cake pan you cooked the sponge in to trace an 8″ circle onto parchment paper. Cook the caramel while watching it constantly and be ready to remove it from the heat at a moment’s notice. When the amber color is achieved, pour the caramel in the center of the circle and spread it out with a hot stainless steel spatula. You can make your spatula hot by placing it on the stove eye for 20 seconds, or if you have a chef’s torch you can heat it up with that. If you try to spread the caramel with a cold spatula, it will stick terribly.

      Practice makes perfect.
      Next, wait a few seconds until the caramel starts to set, then score it into wedges with a buttered knife. After the caramel is completely hardened, break it apart at the score lines. My first attempt at making this garnish broke apart irregularly. I had to make a second one, and it turned out much better. Practice makes perfect (or in my case, adequate). Luckily it takes very little time to repeat the process, because hard caramel doesn’t take long to cook!

      The swirls on the cake prop up each caramel wedge. I just love the effect.

      “A torte — is one with a pleasing appearance inside and out.”-confectioner’s description, early 20th century

      European cakes are often sponge-based and less moist than what American palates are accustomed to. And although it’s not original, I brush the layers with simple syrup which is included in this recipe. It seems to be an accepted practice, and some even add a boozy note with the addition of bourbon, whisky, etc. Tradition in baking is a wonderful thing, but a dry cake is not. The syrup is an extra step but improves the end result, and if you’ve overwhipped your sponge it’s a fail safe for a moist cake.

      Hungarian Dobos Torte

      Heather Baird

      Dobos Torte is traditionally a confection with thin sponge layers, filled and frosted with a rich chocolate buttercream, and covered with a clear sheet of caramel glaze. In this version the caramel is cut into triangles and placed in a fan design on top of the cake.The chocolate buttercream uses uncooked egg yolks. It’s very important to use pasteurized eggs for safe use in this dish. If you’re preparing this cake for guests who might be sensitive to this, or if you prefer not to eat raw egg yolks, I’ve included a quick chocolate buttercream recipe in the notes section that can be used instead.

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      Prep Time 45 minsCook Time 30 minsTotal Time 1 hr 15 mins

      Course DessertCuisine Hungarian

      Servings 10

      Equipment8 inch round cake pans (2)large closed star piping tipPiping bagPastry brush
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Sponge layers2/3 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup potato starch or cornstarch2/3 cup granulated sugar6 eggs separated and at room temperature1 teaspoon lemon zestSimple syrup1/2 cup granulated sugar1/2 cup water1 teaspoon vanilla extractChocolate buttercream16 oz. semisweet chocolate chopped2 cups unsalted butter at room temperature6 large egg yolks1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt1 teaspoon vanilla extractGarnishes2/3 cup sliced almonds3/4 cup granulated sugar1 teaspoon lemon juice
      Instructions Sponge layersSift together the flour and potato starch. Set aside.Set aside two thirds of the granulated sugar. Whisk the egg yolks with the remaining sugar until light and pale. When the beater is lifted the batter should leave a trail in the bowl (this is called ribbon stage). Stir in the zest.In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites into soft peaks. Gradually whisk in the reserved sugar to form stiff, glossy peaks. Stir two big spoonfuls of the egg whites into the yolk mixture to loosen the texture. Gently fold in the flour. This will take a bit of careful mixing and the texture will seem strange and thick, but keep going. When no streaks of flour remain gently fold in the remaining egg whites. Do all of these steps as gently as possible so that you don’t knock out all of the air.Preheat the oven to 425F. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with flour-based baking spray, or grease the pans and line them with parchment rounds.Using a scale divide the batter into six bowls evenly (mine were about 3.30 oz. per pan, but yours may vary). This ensures each sponge layer will be the same thickness upon slicing. Alternatively, divide 1/3 of the batter between the two prepared pans. Spread an even layer in the bottom of each one using a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon.Bake for 5-6 minutes or until golden. Invert cakes onto wire racks and remove parchment, if using. Wash pans and re-grease. Repeat the process twice more with the remaining mixture to make another four layers of sponge, making six in total.Simple syrupIn a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring to a boil. Cook until the sugar is melted; remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and let cool completely.Chocolate buttercreamIn a microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate until melted and smooth, in 30 second increments, about 2 minutes total. Cool to room temperature but still liquid and pourable.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip, beat the butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes on medium-high. Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well before adding the next. Add in the cooled chocolate and sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate any hidden streaks of butter or chocolate. Mix in the salt and vanilla extract. Beat until fluffy.Place about 1 1/4 cups of the chocolate buttercream in a piping bag fitted with a large closed star piping tip; set aside. Brush a sponge layer lightly with the simple syrup using a pastry brush. Sandwich each of the six sponge layers together, brushing as you stack, with 1/4-inch-thick layer of the chocolate buttercream, then spread more buttercream evenly over the top and sides of the cake. To garnish the sides of the cake, press the sliced almonds into the sides while the buttercream is still tacky. Pipe 8 large rosettes of chocolate buttercream, evenly spaced, on the top edge of the cake using the piping bag of frosting. Chill for one hour before adding the caramel garnish.Caramel garnishDraw an 8” circle on a piece of parchment paper using the same pan you baked he sponge cakes in; set aside on a flat heat-proof work surface.Place the sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan and mix together until the sugar looks like wet sand. Cook over medium high heat, watching constantly, and stirring/prodding the mixture occasionally until an amber caramel is formed.Immediately pour the caramel into the center of the marked circle and quickly spread out using a hot stainless-steel spatula (to heat the spatula, let it rest on a hot stove eye, or heat it with a chef’s torch). Leave it for a few seconds until it starts to set. Grease a large chef’s knife then score the caramel into 8 wedges. Let set completely then gently break apart at the score marks.Rest a caramel wedge at an angle on each rosette on the cake.Store the cake covered at room temperature. This cake keeps well for a week and seems to improve upon standing.
      NotesUse the following recipe if you prefer to not make the buttercream with uncooked egg yolks. It is not as dark or silky as the yolk buttercream, but it is a fine replacement. The recipe is taken from the Dobos Torta recipe in the book Ultimate Cake by Barbara Maher. You may also choose to use your own chocolate buttercream recipe.
      Quick Chocolate Buttercream 

      3 teaspoons instant coffee
      3 teaspoons unsweet cocoa powder
      6 oz. semisweet chocolate chopped
      3 cups unsalted butter softened
      1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 

      Dissolve the instant coffee and cocoa powder in 6 tablespoons boiling water. Pour into a small heat-proof bowl and add the chopped chocolate; melt over a pan of simmering water. Let cool until thickened but not set.
      In another bowl, beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar together until pale and fluff. Add the chocolate and mix well until combined. Then beat the mixture until pale and fluffy and thick. Use to fill, frost, and decorate a 6-layer Dobos Torte.

      Keyword chocolate buttercream, hard caramel, potato starch, sliced almonds, sponge cake layers

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