COFFEE & BAILEYS CAKE

The perfect pairing of coffee and Baileys in this delicious layer cake. A vanilla buttermilk cake layered with chocolate ganache and a coffee Baileys swiss meringue buttercream.

INGREDIENT

Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs room temperature

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup buttermilk room temperature

Ganache:

4 oz good quality dark chocolate finely chopped

4 oz heavy whipping cream

Coffee Baileys Buttercream:

1/2 cup egg whites

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter cubed, room temperature

1 Tbsp instant espresso powder not granules

2 Tbsp Baileys Irish Cream

INSTRUCTIONS

Cake:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour three 6" cake rounds, line with parchment.

In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.

Beat butter until smooth. Add sugar and beat on med-high until pale and fluffy (2-3mins).

Reduce speed and add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition. Add vanilla.

Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour (3 additions of flour and 2 of milk). Fully incorporating after each addition. Mix until just combined

Spread batter evenly into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Bake for 30mins or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.

Place cakes on wire rack to cool for 10mins then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.

Ganache:

Place chopped chocolate and cream into a microwave safe bowl, stir. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, stir. Again, microwave on high for 30 seconds, stir until smooth. Cool completely until thickened, ideally overnight.

Coffee Baileys Buttercream:

Place egg whites and sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk until combined.*

Place bowl over a hot water bath on the stove and whisk constantly until the mixture is no longer grainy to the touch (approx. 3mins).

Place bowl on your stand mixer and whisk on med-high until the meringue is stiff and cooled (the bowl is no longer warm to the touch (approx. 5-10mins)).

Switch to paddle attachment. Slowly add cubed butter and mix until smooth.

Add Baileys and espresso powder. Whip until smooth.**

Assembly:

Place one layer of cake on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread a layer of ganache and then top with buttercream. Repeat with remaining layers and crumb coat the cake. Chill for 20mins.

Frost the cake and do a decorative swirl with an offset spatula if desired. Add chocolate flakes to the bottom if desired.

NOTES

* Ensure there is NO trace of egg yolks in your whites and that your mixer bowl and whisk is completely grease free or your meringue won't stiffen.

** The buttercream may look like it's curdled at some point. Keep mixing until it is completely smooth.

SOURCE

https://livforcake.com

LEMON CAKE

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 sticks (12T) (170g) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature (if cold, place in a bowl of warm water for 5 min.)
2 1/2 cups (285g) cake flour *if you do not have cake flour, see note below
1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt
2 1/2 teaspoons (12g) baking powder
zest of 2 lemons
1 1/4 cups (302g) milk
2 Tablespoons (18g) vegetable oil (I used canola oil)
2 teaspoons (8g) lemon extract

*** ** If you don't have cake flour, for each cup of all purpose flour remove 2 Tablespoons of flour and replace with 2 Tablespoons of cornstarch. For this recipe, measure out 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, remove 5 Tablespoons and replace with 5 Tablespoons cornstarch. Whisk to blend.

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Grease and flour two 8 inch pans ( my pans are 2 inches deep)
In a medium sized bowl add the flour, baking powder, salt and zest of 2 lemons. Whisk to blend.
In another bowl, add the milk, vegetable oil and lemon extract. Whisk to blend.
Beat the softened butter until lightened in color and smooth. Gradually add the sugar and mix on medium speed 4 to 5 minutes until it is light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until the yellow of the yolk disappears.
Add the flour mixture and the milk mixture alternately. Begin and end with the flour (3 additions of flour and 2 of milk). Mix until combined and smooth, do not mix above medium speed or over mix. Pour the batter into the prepared pans, smoothing the tops with the back of a spoon. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with only a few crumbs attached. Let the cakes cool in the pans 10 minutes then turn out.


Thanks for stopping by! We hope that you enjoy this delicious homemade Lemon Cake recipe as much as we have!

The Best Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake {Recipe}

This To Die For Carrot Cake receives rave reviews for it's unbelievable
moistness and flavor! Truly the BEST CARROT CAKE you'll ever try! So easy
to make and as an added bonus, there's no oil or butter!
I know this cake will quickly become a family favorite!
Serves: 16 slices

Ingredients

Cake:
One
1¼ cups unsweetened applesauce (or oil, this is what my Nana used)
2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs, room temperature

Two
2 cups all­ purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon

Three
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup Dole crushed pineapple (not drained!) {use the pineapple in JUICE not syrup}

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 cup butter (softened)
16 oz cream cheese (softened)
2 tsp vanilla
2 lbs powdered sugar
top with toasted pecans or coconut if desired

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine #1 ingredients. Add #2 ingredients. Stir in #3 ingredients.
3. Pour into a lightly greased 9 x 13 , two 9 ­inch pans or three 8­ inch pans. (The cake is very moist so cutting parchment for the bottom of your pans will ensure they don't stick. I prefer to use the non ­stick baking spray that has the flour in it for easy cake removal.)
4. Bake for 35-­40 minutes for the 9 x13 and 9 ­inch pans and 25-­30 minutes for the 8 ­inch pans. You're looking for an inserted toothpick to come out clean.
5. Let cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

For the frosting:
1. Beat the butter and cream cheese until nice and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and powdered sugar and beat until
nice and smooth.
2. Invert the cake onto a cake plate or stand.
3. Apply a generous dollop of frosting and spread...
4. Gently place the second cake on top and continue frosting. Repeat with the third cake if you made three.
5. Refrigerate for an hour before serving for best results.

Notes
The frosting recipe can be halved if you are not planning on piping a border and adding a lot of frosting decorations to the top of the cake.
Recipe by Mom On Timeout

How to Make Self-Rising Flour

Self-rising flour is a staple ingredient in so many southern recipes! Learn how to make your own self-rising flour with this quick and easy substitution recipe. All you need are 3 simple ingredients!
Author: Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch


Serves: 1 cup

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Measure all ingredients and whisk to combine.

Notes
Measurements to equal each cup of self-rising flour.

Moist Yellow Cake

INGREDIENTS
*****

For the cake:
2 sticks of butter, room temperature
2 cups of sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
3 cups of self-rising flour, sifted
1 cup of whole milk, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring

For the frosting:
2 sticks butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound powdered sugar
1 to 3 teaspoons milk, half and half, or cream
Icing colors

DIRECTIONS

For the cake: Preheat oven to 350° F.
Grease and flour 3 8-inch cake pans.
Using a mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add sugar and continue to cream for about 7 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time. Beat well after each egg is added.
Alternate adding flour and milk to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
Add vanilla and butter flavoring to mix, until just mixed.
Divide batter equally into 3 cake pans.
Hold each layer about 3 inches above your counter and carefully drop the pans flat onto counter several times to ensure release of any air bubbles. This will help you have a more level cake.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes (depending on your oven) until done.
Cool in pans for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove and immediately wrap each layer in plastic wrap to seal in moisture. Cool completely on wire racks.
Once cooled, you are ready to assemble your cake.
For the frosting: Using a mixer, cream softened butter and vanilla until smooth.
Add sugar gradually, allowing butter and sugar to cream together before adding more.
If you want your frosting a little creamier, add a teaspoon of milk at a time and beat on high until you get the right texture.
Use icing colors to tint the frosting the color of your choice.

Oreo Cake

Ingredients


Chocolate Cake:

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup boiling water


Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 C. butter, softened
16 oz. cream cheese
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. milk
5-6 C. powdered sugar
2 C. Oreo cookies, crushed
more Oreos for decoration
melted chocolate

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 3 8-inch pans. (I like to line the bottoms of my pans with foil or parchment for easy removal.)
2. Sift cake mix and instant pudding mix into a small bowl and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, oil, milk, sour cream and vanilla extract.
4. Stir in cake mix and instant pudding mix.
5. Divide batter evenly into prepared pans and use a spatula to spread the batter out flat.
6. Bake for 17-22 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean. (If you are making only two layers, it will take 20-25 minutes in the oven.)
7. Let cool completely.
8. Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese together. Add vanilla extract and milk and slowly add in powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
9. Place roughly 1/3 of the frosting into a small bowl with the 2 C. crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and fold until combined. This will be the frosting you use between your cake layers.
10. To assemble your cake, stack all 3 cake layers on top of one another, frosting between the layers as you stack. (Use the frosting made in step 9.) Cover the entire cake with your plain cream cheese frosting and use extra cookies, crushed cookies and melted chocolate to decorate.

Strawberry Chiffon Shortcake

Adapted from The Joy of Cooking

                                             

Chiffon cakes are known for having the richness of butter pound cakes but the lightness of angel food cakes. Some argue that this is because they use oil, which because it is liquid at room temperature, can keep the cake especially moist. The oil cannot be replaced by butter, unfortunately, and recipes advise universally against it. The lemon zest helps compensate for flavor lost by the lack of butter.


Proceed as directed below.
Make it as pictured, the thick three-layer: Proceed as below to bake a four-layer cake, but stash the fourth layer well-wrapped in the freezer for a future use. (Dare I suggest a whipped cream and strawberry trifle with the other remaining ingredients?) Make only three-quarters of the whipped cream and use only one-and-a-half quarts of strawberries.
Make it as I’d like to, next time, a slim three-layer: Make only half the cake recipe, baking it in a single 9″ pan. Once cool, take a deep breath, and carefully cut this layer into thirds. Proceed with three-quarters of the whipped cream and only one-and-a-half quarts of strawberries.

Cake layers:
2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
1 1/2 cups superfine or regular sugar, divided
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 large egg yolks at room temperature
8 large egg whites at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Filling:
2 cups heavy cream
6 tablespoons confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 quarts strawberries, hulled and sliced (I sliced mine very thinly, but would do so more thickly next time, or double-layer the strawberries so that you get a higher fruit-to-bite ratio.)*

1. Make cake layers: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Have two 9-inch round cake pans ready, lined with parchment paper that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray, but otherwise ungreased. (Alternatively, this recipe yields on classic tube chiffon cake. Leave the cake pan ungreased, and use one with a removable bottom.)

2. Sift the flour, 1 1/4 cups sugar, baking powder and salt together twice into a large bowl.

3. In a another bowl, beat the yolks, water, oil, zest and vanilla on high speed until smooth. Stir into the flour mixture until smooth. In another large bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until soft peaks are formed. Add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and beat on high speed until the peaks are stiff but not dry.

4. Use a rubber spatula to fold one-quarter of the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture, then fold in the remaining whites. Do so gently, only until the egg whites are no longer visible. Overdoing it will deflate the egg whites, and yield a denser, shorter cake.

5. Scrape the batter into the two prepared pans and spread evenly. (If you are needling and fussy, you can weigh them to make sure they are even, something I would never do, oh no.) Bake them until the top springs back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean 40 to 50 minutes (or 55 to 65 for the tube pan). (Please, do me a favor and check your cake every five minutes or so from the 30 minute mark on, as I confess I never wrote down the exact baking time for the 9″ circles, but am pretty sure it was 45 minutes in my oven. M’kay?)

6. Let cakes cool on a cooling rack for at least an hour (or, if in a tube pan, upside down over a bottleneck or resting the pan on four glasses for at least 1 1/2 hours). When completely cool, run a knife around the sides to release, then flip out onto a plate (or your hand, if you’re daring) and then another plate.

7. Make the whipped cream: Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a clean mixing bowl until it holds stiff peaks.

8. Assemble the cake: Carefully split each cake layer in half, leaving you with four cake surfaces. One by one, scoop one-quarter of the whipped cream onto the surface of the cake and spread it evenly to the edges, without going over, with an offset spatula. Arrange one-quarter of the sliced strawberries over the whipped cream in one or two layers, depending on your preference. (If you use only one layer, you’ll likely have leftovers.) Repeat with the remaining three layers. If you have any leftover whipped cream, you can pipe it decoratively over the top, or, uh, scoop it up with those leftover strawberries. I won’t tell.

9. The cake can refrigerated for a few hours before eating it. In fact, as some of the moisture from the whipped cream and berries seeps into the cake, I think the texture is improved.

* In the comments, we’ve gotten into another approach to the strawberry filling part: macerating them for one hour with a couple tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of either creme de cassis or fresh lemon juice. This softens the strawberries and creates more of the saucy variety you’d get in a bakery cake. To create the cake layers this way, spread the strawberry mixture then the whipped cream over each layer, proceeding otherwise as directed above.

A Perfectly Sweet Vanilla Cake

from kitchen of Buddy Valastro
Ingredients

21/2 cups cake flour, plus more for flouring the cake pans
2 cups sugar, plus more for unmolding cake
3/4 cup vegetable oil
21/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup whole milk
Unsalted butter, for greasing two cake pans (about 2 tablespoons); nonstick
cooking spray or vegetable oil may be substituted

 Directions

Position a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat the oven to 350??F.
Put the flour, sugar, custard cream, if using, vegetable oil, baking powder,
vanilla, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle
attachment. (If you don't have a stand mixer, you can put the ingredients
in a bowl, and use a hand mixer with the blending attachments, but
take extra care to not overmix.) Mix on slow just until the ingredients
are blended together, a few seconds, then raise the speed to low-medium
and continue to mix until smooth, approximately 1 additional minute.
With the motor running, add 1 egg at a time, adding the next one after
the previous one has been absorbed into the mixture. Stop the motor
periodically and scrape the bowl from the bottom with a rubber spatula
to integrate the ingredients, and return the mixer to low-medium speed.
After all the eggs are added, continue to mix for an additional minute to
ensure the eggs have been thoroughly mixed in. This will help guarantee
that the sugar is dissolved and that the flour has been thoroughly mixed
in, which will help produce a luxurious mouthfeel in the final cake.
With the motor running, add the milk, 1/2 cup at a time, stopping the
motor to scrape the sides and bottom between the two additions. Continue
to mix for another minute or until the mixture appears smooth.
Before baking, be sure the batter is at 70??F to 73??F, or the cake will
crown. (Test by plunging a kitchen thermometer into the center of the
batter; if it is too warm, put the bowl in the refrigerator for a few minutes;
if too cool, let it rest at room temperature.)
Grease two 9-inch cake pans (2 inches high) with the butter, and flour
them.
Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans, using a rubber spatula
to scrape down the bowl and get as much batter as possible out. Bake
until the cake begins to pull from the sides of the pan and is springy to
the touch, 25 to 30 minutes.
Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes,
preferably an hour. The cakes should be at room temperature before you
remove them from the pan. Put a piece of parchment paper on a cookie
sheet, top with sugar, and one at a time, turn the pans over and turn the
cakes out onto parchment; the sugar will keep it from sticking. Refrigerate
or freeze until ready to decorate.

Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake

Ingredients for the Cheesecake

30 mini peanut butter cups, each one quartered
2 sticks softened butter
1 cup sugar
4-8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1-3 ounce package cook and serve vanilla pudding
4 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder


Ingredients for the Chocolate Cake

1/2 package dark chocolate fudge cake mix
1/2 package chocolate fudge instant pudding (3.9 ounce package)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs


Ingredients for the Caramel Sauce

1 cube butter
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup half and half
Dash of salt
1 tablespoon vanilla


Ingredients for the Chocolate Frosting

1 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate hcips
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 tablespoon corn syrup


Ingredients for the Peanut Butter Frosting 

1 cup peanut butter
5 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 - 2 cups powdered sugar (depending on how thick you want your frosting)
3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract


Additional Ingredients
Peanut halves
Reeses, quartered


Directions for the Cheesecake

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two 9-inch pans with parchment. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add cream cheese a little at a time. Mix until fully incorporated.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time. Add the vanilla pudding and baking powder. Mix until smooth.
4. Stir in the peanut butter cups with a spatula.
5. Place half of the batter into each of the prepared pans. Bake for 55-60 minutes (they will deflate when you take them out which will create a lip, allowing the caramel to not spill over the edges). Immediately put the pans with the cheesecake in them into the freezer and leave until completely frozen.


Directions for the Chocolate Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two 9-inch baking pans with parchment paper and spray  with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a mixer and beat on medium-high for 2 minutes, scrapping down the mixture at about the 30 second mark.
4. Pour half the batter into each of the 9-inch baking pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean).
5. Allow cakes to come to room temperature and level.
6. Place the pans with the cake in them into the freezer.


Directions for the Caramel Sauce

1. Heat the butter, brown sugar, half and half, and salt on medium/low heat, stirring constantly.
2. Cook for about 10-12 minutes. Place in the refrigerator until completely cooled and thickened.

Directions for the Chocolate Frosting

1. Put chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Meanwhile, heat cream in a saucepan over medium high heat until very hot but not boiling. Pour hot cream over chocolate chips.
2. Remove 2/3 cup chocolate mixture and pour into a small bowl. Add 1/2 tablespoon corn syrup and stir (this will be the frosting for the top of the cake). Place in the refrigerator.
3. Meanwhile, take the remaining chocolate mixture and mix with a whisk attachment for 5-10 minutes (this will be the frosting for the sides of the cake). Place in the refrigerator.

Directions for the Peanut Butter Frosting

1. 1. Cream together the butter and peanut butter. Add the heavy whipping cream.
2. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla.

Directions for Assembly

1. Take the frozen cheesecakes and chocolate cakes. Top each with the cooled caramel, peanut halves, and additional quartered reeses. Return to the freezer until the caramel is frozen.
2. Place a piece of wax paper on the bottom of your serving plate. Stack the cakes beginning with a chocolate cake, then cheesecake, then chocolate cake, then cheesecake. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for at least a few hours.
3. Unwrap the cake and top with the chocolate ganache (the one with the corn syrup) making sure that it does not go over the edge. Return to the freezer.
4. Meanwhile, take the chocolate frosting out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. Frost the sides of the cake with the room temperature chocolate frosting.
5. Place the peanut butter frosting in a pastry bag with the tip of your choosing. Decorate your cake with the peanut butter frosting.

Neapolitan Millionaire Cake

Yield: 9 inch cake

Ingredients
Chocolate Cake

1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 + 1/8 cup Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 large egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup boiling water

Strawberry Cheesecake

24 oz cream cheese
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp flour
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
3 tbsp strawberry extract
about 20 drops red food color

Vanilla Bean Mousse

1 1/2 tsp powdered gelatin
1 1/2 tablespoons water
2 1/3 cups heavy cream, divided
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Whipped Vanilla Icing

2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

To make the Chocolate Cake:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Put all dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk together.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
4. Add vanilla to boiling water and add to mixture.
5. Mix until smooth.
6. Pour into prepared 9 inch pan and bake 35-38 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes in pan, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling.
8. Once cooled, cut off cake dome with a long serrated knife.

To make the Strawberry Cheesecake:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease the sides.
2. In a large bowl, blend the cream cheese, sugar and flour. Use low speed to keep less air from getting into the batter.
3. Add the sour cream and 2 eggs. Beat until just combined.
4. Add other 2 eggs, strawberry extract and red color. Beat until combined.
5. Pour the filling into the pan. Drop onto the counter a few times to release any air bubbles.
6. Wrap bottom of pan in aluminum foil and prepare it for a water bath.
7. Place foil wrapped pan in a another pan large enough for a water bath. Fill water pan with warm water about half way up the sides of the springform pan.
8. Bake for 1 hour and 35 minutes.
9. Turn off heat and leave in oven with door closed for 20 minutes or until set. Center of cheesecake will not look fully cooked, but will continue to cook in the oven.
10. Open oven door halfway and let cool for about 10 minutes.
11. Refrigerate until firm 5-6 hours.
12. Remove cheesecake from springform pan.

To make the Vanilla Bean Mousse:
1. In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water, let stand for about 5 minutes. Place mixer bowl and whisk attachment into the freezer for about 10 minutes.
2. Take bowl out and whisk out of freezer and whisk 2 cups heavy cream at high speed until it begins to thicken.
3. Add sugar and vanilla bean paste and continue whisking on high until stiff peaks form.
4. Heat remaining heavy cream in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or until warm.
5. Add gelatin to heavy cream and stir to combine. Allow to cool.
6. Add gelatin mixture to whipped cream. Stir to incorporate and whip back to stiff peaks, if needed.

To begin putting it all together:
1. Prepare the same springform pan you used to make the cheesecake and cake. Put parchment paper on the bottom and around the edges, sticking up above the top edge of the pan.
2. Place the cheesecake into the cake pan.
3. Pour the vanilla bean mousse on top of the cheesecake and spread evenly.
4. Refrigerate until set, about 2 1/2 hours.

Once the mousse has set, make the Whipped Vanilla Icing:
1. Put mixing bowl and whisk attachment in freezer for about 10 minutes.
2. Remove bowl and whisk from freezer and whip cream on high until it begins to thicken.
3. Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar and whip on high until thick and creamy.

To finish off the cake:
1. Get cheesecake/mousse out of refrigerator.
2. Place chocolate cake on a cake board, or the plate you will serve it on.
3. Remove cheesecake and mousse layers from springform pan.
4. Spread a thin layer of icing on top of the chocolate cake. You can add a little cocoa to the icing for that layer if you don't want to see the white icing between the cake and cheesecake layer.
5. Place the cheesecake and mousse layers on top of the cake, using the cheesecake to lift it. The cheesecake should end up as the middle layer, with the cake on bottom and the mousse on top.
6. Ice the cake with the whipped icing.
7. Separate remaining icing into three bowls and color one brown with cocoa and one pink with food color. Pipe the three different colors onto the top of the cake in a pattern.
7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tiramisu Layer Cake

Ingredients
WHITE CAKE:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
½ cup vegetable shortening
3 cups granulated sugar
5 eggs, room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup whole milk, room temperature
½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
1/4 cup coffee
1 tablespoon coffee flavored liqueur

FILLING:

1 (8 ounce) container mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur

FROSTING:

2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur

GARNISH:

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate

Directions

Prepare the white cake.

Preheat oven to 350º F. Prepare three 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick baking spray or coated well with shortening or butter and floured, taking care to remove all excess flour.
Cream together butter and shortening until light and fluffy with an electric mixer. Slowly add sugar one cup at a time, making sure to fully incorporate each cup before adding another. Add eggs one at a time, making sure to fully incorporate each egg before adding another.
Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour milks and vanilla into measuring cup and whisk together with a fork. Add to butter and shortening mixture alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
Gently stir all ingredients until well combined. Stop mixer and scrape down sides and bottom of bowl, making sure to have all ingredients mixed well.

 Divide two thirds of batter between 2 pans. Stir instant coffee into remaining batter; pour into remaining pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. In a measuring cup, combine brewed coffee and 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur; set aside.
To make the filling: In a small bowl, using an electric mixer set on low speed, combine mascarpone, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur; beat just until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium-high speed, beat the cream, 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur until stiff. Fold 1/2 cup of cream mixture into filling mixture.
To assemble the cake: Place one plain cake layer on a serving plate. Using a thin skewer, poke holes in cake, about 1 inch apart. Pour one third of reserved coffee mixture over cake, then spread with half of the filling mixture. Top with coffee-flavored cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour another third of the coffee mixture over the second layer and spread with the remaining filling. Top with remaining cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour remaining coffee mixture on top. Spread sides and top of cake with frosting. Place cocoa in a sieve and lightly dust top of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
To make the chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler and run it down the edge of the chocolate bar.

The Best White Cake Recipe

This White Cake Recipe will quickly become your favorite for so many celebrations and events. This simple white cake recipe is easy to follow and yields a moist, tender white cake you'll love.
*****
Author: Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
Serves: 12

Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
½ cup vegetable shortening
3 cups granulated sugar
5 eggs, room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup whole milk, room temperature
½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350º F. Prepare three 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick baking spray or coated well with shortening or butter and floured, taking care to remove all excess flour.
Cream together butter and shortening until light and fluffy with an electric mixer. Slowly add sugar one cup at a time, making sure to fully incorporate each cup before adding another. Add eggs one at a time, making sure to fully incorporate each egg before adding another.
Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour milks and vanilla into measuring cup and whisk together with a fork. Add to butter and shortening mixture alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
Gently stir all ingredients until well combined. Stop mixer and scrape down sides and bottom of bowl, making sure to have all ingredients mixed well.
Evenly distribute cake batter between cake pans and place pans into oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove and allow to cool slightly in cake pans for about 5 minutes, then cool completely on a wire rack.
Frost cake as desired.

Notes
- This recipe makes approximately 24 cupcakes when cupcake tin is filled more than ¾ full. When filled ½ full, this recipe makes approximately 36 cupcakes. Bake approximately 18 minutes.
- If you preferred the original white cake recipe, it used ½ teaspoon baking powder and 1 cup buttermilk with no whole milk.

Neapolitan Sponge

 All my cakes are made from scratch !!
http://www.cakesbyzana.blogspot.com/2014/03/neapolitan-cake.html

Perfect Marble Cake

Ingredients
birthday cake - cake recipe - marble cake recipe

yields one 10" round cake (3 layers) or 24 cupcakes

2 sticks butter (8 ounces)
2 cups sugar
1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
2 ½ cups plus 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
3 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped

NOTE: All amounts are given in U.S. standard measures. Click here for international equivalents (page will open in a new browser window) .
Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare a 10" round x 3" deep cake pan by spraying with non-stick cooking spray and lining bottom of each pan with a wax paper circle cut to fit.
here's what you do:

1.using an electric mixer beat butter and sugar at high speed until lighter in color and fluffy.

2.add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition

3.sift the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt on to a piece of parchment or wax paper.

4.mix the milk and vanilla together.

5.add the dry ingredients and wet ingredients alternately to the batter, ending with the dry ingredients.

6.divide the batter evenly into two bowls and mix the melted, chopped chocolate into one.

7.alternately spoon vanilla then chocolate batter into the prepared pan, alternating the colors all around the pan.
8.use the handle of a spoon to gently draw swirls through the two colors of batter to get the marbleized effect, but not too much or you'll lose the effect completely.

9.bake for 35 minutes or so (check after 35 minutes and every 10 minutes after that), until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

10.cool the cake in the pan for about 15 minutes then turn out of the pan on to a wire rack to cool completely.

Super Moist Chocolate Cake

Yields one 9” round cake (3 layers)

1 cup strong coffee, hot
1 cup cold water
1 cup natural cocoa powder
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 ½ cups plus 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter
2 ½ cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

NOTE: All amounts are given in U.S. standard measures. Click here for international equivalents (page will open in a new browser window).
Preheat oven to 350° F and prepare 2 x 9 inch round cake pans by spraying with non-stick cooking spray and lining bottom of pan with a wax paper circle.
1.dissolve the chopped chocolate and cocoa powder in the hot coffee and stir until completely smooth. Add the cold water and whisk together until smooth.
2.sift the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder and salt together on to a piece of parchment or wax paper.
3.put the butter and sugar in the bowl of your electric mixer and, using the paddle attachment, beat until lighter in color and fluffy.
4.add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition. Add vanilla and mix well.
5.add the dry ingredients alternately with the wet ingredients, starting and finishing with dry.
6.fill one pan with 1/3 of the batter and the other with the remaining 2/3 batter (makeing sure neither pan is more than 2/3 full) and bake. Check the pans after about 30 minutes and every ten minutes after that, until a cake tester comes out clean.
7.cool in pan for 15 minutes then turn out onto rack and cool completely.
8.when completely cool, wrap well in cling wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour, then slice the thicker layer in two horizontally so that now you have three layers for filling and stacking.

Marble Cake with Chocolate and Vanilla Swirls

Marble cake is one of the most delicious results of love-baking that looks complicated but is easy to make. Here is a quick and easy recipe to get you started on making this simple, moist, and yummy marble cake.
Easy Recipe for First Timers

Ingredients for Marble Cake

225 gr flour
225 gr butter (this is going to give you one sinfully heavy cake)
225 gr sugar (can be lesser)
4 Eggs
50 gr cocoa powder (good quality – never compromise here)
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp instant coffee powder
50 ml milk (for the purpose of making the batter consistent)

Set your oven to 180 degrees centigrade. Grease and dust your baking tin.
Soften butter and beat in sugar.
Whisk eggs separately and add the eggs to butter+sugar gradually while beating it.
Sieve in flour and baking powder into the butter-sugar-egg-vanilla- coffee-mixture. Fold in the flour gently.
Divide the batter into half. Add cocoa powder to one half.

Take spoonfuls of two batters and put them in the baking dish. Alternate the vanilla and cocoa batter heaps.
Use a skewer or something similar to insert and gently swirl it around for marble like pattern. Few swirls are needed else the mixture will become uniformly brown.

Bake for about 30-40 minutes, or till the skewer comes out clean.
Enjoy.

Long long ago I had disastrous marble cake baking episodes. And ended on the wise note that it is not worth going through the chore when all you need is a bit of vanilla cake and a bit of chocolate cake side-by-side and eat it happy. But over a period of time, with more marble cakes attempted, swirled and baked, I have arrived at the most simplest way to do it. I can call this a time-tested and repeatedly tested recipe. It calls for no fuss and no patience – just the way Rachel Allen did it.

If you are into baking regular cakes, then its no different from what you are doing all the time. Just one extra step of throwing in spoonfuls of batter and swirling it aroud with a skewer till you get the pattern light and right.

Sex in The Pan!

Author: OMGChocolateDesserts.com

Ingredients

36 Oreo cookies (regular, not double stuff)
6 tablespoon butter-melted
.................
8 oz cream cheese-softened
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cold milk
12 ounce tub Cool Whip-divided
..................
2 – 3.9 ounce packages Vanilla Instant Pudding.
3¼ cups cold milk
..................
2 pound strawberries
¾ cup sugar
3 tablespoon gelatin dissolved in 6 tablespoon water
..................
8 oz chocolate-chopped
½ cup heavy whipping cream
..................
4 Oreo-crushed (for garnish)

Instructions
In food processor, finely crushed Oreo cookies into fine crumbs.
In a large bowl, using a fork mix Oreo with 6 tablespoons melted butter.
Transfer it to a 9 x 13 inch dish and press down the crumbs into the bottom.
Set in the refrigerator while you are making the fillings.
Mix the cream cheese until it's fluffy, add 2 tablespoons of milk and sugar, and mix well. Stir in 1 and ¼ cups Cool Whip and spread the mixture over the crust, transfer into refrigerator.
In a large sauce pan combine chopped strawberries with ¾ cup sugar and dissolved gelatin and cook for 15 minutes (bring to boil than reduce the heat and continue cooking, stirring constantly) . Set aside to cool, than spread over the cream cheese layer and transfer in the freezer for at least half and hour.
In a medium bowl mix vanilla instant pudding with 3 and ¼ cups cold milk. Whisk for a few minutes until the pudding starts to thicken
Spread the pudding over the strawberry layer.
Let it sit in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up the pudding.
To make the chocolate ganache layer bring heavy whipping cream to boil, remove from the heat and stir in chocolate. when it’s smooth and slightly cooled spread it over the vanilla pudding layer and set in the gridge for 10 minutes.
Spread remaining Cool Whip over the top and sprinkl with crushed Oreos.
Freeze for 1 hour, or the refrigerate for 4 hours before serving

Neapolitan Cake

I made a birthday cake for my husband...

Rich & Dark Chocolate Cake
One 9″ round
Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup Cacao Barry Extra Brute Cocoa Powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup strong black coffee
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1.tablespooon pure vanilla extract

Method:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare cake pans with butter and flour or parchment paper. In bowl of electric mixer, sift all dry ingredients. Add all remaning ingredients to bowl with the dry ingredients and with paddle attachment on mixer, mix for 2 minutes on medium speed (you may need the plastic splashguard that comes with mixer) and pour into prepared pans. Batter will be liquidy.

Bake for 20 minutes and rotate pans in oven. Cakes are done when toothpick or skewer comes clean--approximately 35 minutes. Try not to overbake. Cool on wire racks for 20 minutes then gently invert onto racks until completely cool.
..............

Strawberry Cake

One 9″ round
Ingredients:

2 cups white sugar
1 (3oz) package of strawberry gelatin (JELL-O)
1 cup butter, softened
4 eggs, room temperature
2 3/4 all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup whole milk, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup strawberry puree made from frozen sweetened strawberries (or you can use unsweetened and add a tablespoon of white sugar)

Method:
1. Prepare two 9" round pans (butter and flour, or parchment lined).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and dry strawberry gelatin until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Mix vanilla and milk together. Combine and whisk dry ingredients, adding to creamed mixture and alternating with milk/vanilla until just combined. Blend in strawberry puree. Pour into prepared pans.
3. Bake in 350 F for about 25 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in pans on wire rack for 20 minutes, then remove from pans, gently, to finish cooling on wire racks.
.................

Snow White Vanilla  Cake       

One 9″ round
Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
2 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups ice water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
4 egg whites beaten stiff

Method:
Add sugar to the butter and beat until light. Sift dry ingredients and add alternately with ice water and flavorings, beating thoroughly after each addition. Fold in the beaten egg whites. Pour into greased layer pans and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Cover with Angel Feather Icing and be tactful about the number of candles.
...................

Strawberry Party Frosting

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
8 cups icing sugar (confectioners')
120 ml whipping cream
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon water
pinch of salt
few drops of LorAnn Strawberry Flavor Oil (to taste)
few drops of AmeriColor Electric Pink Gel Color

Method:
 Beat the butter and icing sugar in an electric mixer on low with the paddle attachment for about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla, water, whipping cream, salt, and strawberry oil, and whip on high speed until fluffy and smooth--about 4 minutes. Add colour and mix until well blended. If consistency is too thick, add more water 1 teaspoon at a time, then whip again for 30 seconds or so.

Makes enough to fill and frost a 3-layer (or 5-6 thin layers) 9" cake.

Rainbow Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream

Cake recipe from Cooks Illustrated. Frosting recipe from Martha Stewart.

Ingredients

I used 8" pans..

For Cake:

2 1/4 cups cake flour (9 ounces)
1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
6 large egg whites (3/4 cup), at room temperature
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (12 1/4 ounces)
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon table salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened but still cool
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple gel food coloring

For Frosting/Filling:

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
5 large egg whites
1 pounds (4 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons, softened
1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 pound best-quality white chocolate, melted and cooled

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare your cake pans by first liberally buttering the pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds. Butter the rounds and set aside.

Pour milk, egg whites, and extracts into 2-cup glass measure, and mix with fork until blended. Mix cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl of electric mixer at slow speed. Add butter; continue beating at slow speed until mixture resembles moist crumbs, with no powdery streaks remaining. Add all but 1/2 cup of milk mixture to crumbs and beat at medium speed (or high speed if using handheld mixer) for 1 1/2 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup of milk mixture and beat 30 seconds more. Stop mixer and scrape sides of bowl. Return mixer to medium (or high) speed and beat 20 seconds longer.

Divide batter evenly between six medium bowls. Add enough of each color of food coloring to each bowl, whisking, until desired shade is reached. Transfer each color to an individual cake pan. Transfer to oven and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean, about 15-25 minutes (working in batches if necessary).

Let cakes rest in pans for 3 minutes. Loosen from sides of pans with a knife, if necessary, and invert onto wire rack. Allow to cool completely. At this point, the layers can also be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen.

To make frosting, put sugar and egg whites in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer, and set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and mixture registers 140 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.

Transfer bowl to an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on medium-high speed until fluffy and cooled, about 10 minutes. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.

Reduce speed to medium-low; add butter by the tablespoon, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and white chocolate. (Any leftover frosting can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days or frozen up to 1 month.)

To assemble, using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes to make level. Place four strips of parchment or waxed paper around perimeter of a cake stand or lazy Susan. Place the purple layer on the cake plate. Scoop a 1/2 cup (or more for a larger cake) buttercream filling over the first layer and spread with a small offset spatula so it extends just beyond edges. Repeat process with blue, green, yellow, and orange layers.

Place the remaining red layer on top, bottom-side up. Gently sweep away any loose crumbs with a pastry brush. Using an offset spatula, cover the top and sides with a thin layer of frosting (also use any of the excess frosting visible between the layers). Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.

Orange Crush Cake

 Recipe coming soon ...