Cake
If you love Cake, today's post is for you. Check out the Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream, the Wacky Cake, and the rest of today's offerings. Enjoy!
STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE
This is from Molly O'Neil in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Molly wrote, “This humble dessert would never win a beauty contest when pitted against a towering layer cake swirled with frosting, but what it lacks in looks, it makes up in flavor and simplicity of preparation. The cake itself is light yet moist and soaks up the juice released by the strawberries and rhubarb while baking. Sliced almonds add a gentle crunch. It can be a bit tricky to unmold, so don't forget to line the pan with parchment and grease it generously with butter.” Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes; makes 8 to 10 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
The topping:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 1 to 2 teaspoons for greasing the pan
3/4 cup light-brown sugar
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1 pint strawberries (about 12 ounces), stemmed, hulled and halved
3 cups rhubarb, trimmed, cut across into 1/4-inch-thick slices, blanched for 2 minutes and drained well
The cake:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch round pan (at least 2 inches deep) with parchment paper and grease the parchment with 1 to 2 teaspoons softened butter. To make the topping, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan. Add the brown sugar to the remaining butter and cook until the sugar is melted, stirring until smooth. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Scatter the almonds over the brown-sugar mixture. Arrange the strawberries over the almonds in concentric circles, cut-side up. Top with the rhubarb and set aside.
To make the cake, using an electric mixer cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Combine the vanilla with the milk. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
Spread the batter over the fruit in the pan. Bake until the cake springs back when touched in the center, about 1 hour. (Cover the cake with foil if the top browns too much before the cake is done.) Remove the cake from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Turn out onto a cake plate. Replace any fruit that sticks to the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.
STRAWBERRY FROSTED LAYER CAKE
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "The star of this beautiful cake is the fresh strawberry buttercream frosting that’s bursting with summer flavor. As impressive as it looks, this cake is made easy with Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ white cake mix."
Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Cake
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ White Cake Mix
Water, vegetable oil and whole eggs called for on cake mix box
Frosting
3/4 cup butter, softened
4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened
4-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup seedless strawberry jam
1 teaspoon vanilla
Betty Crocker™ Red Gel Food Color
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries (about 10 medium)
Decoration
Whole fresh strawberries
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Spray bottoms and sides of 3 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray.
In large bowl, beat Cake ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide evenly between pans.
Bake 17 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.
In large bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese with electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. On low speed, beat in powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in strawberry jam and vanilla until blended. Tint frosting with food color to desired color.
Place one cake layer rounded side down on serving plate. Spread 2/3 cup of the frosting on top. Place 1/2 cup sliced strawberries, in single layer, on frosting layer to within 1/2 inch from edge of cake. Top with second cake layer, rounded side down. Spread 2/3 cup of the frosting on top and add remaining sliced strawberries; top with third cake layer rounded side up. Frost sides and top of cake with remaining frosting. Refrigerate cake at least 1 hour before serving. Place whole strawberries in center on top of cake. Store any remaining cake loosely covered in refrigerator.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
If baking three layers but not all three fit in the oven, refrigerate one pan of batter until others are baked, and then bake remaining layer separately.
tip 2
When making frosting, be sure the butter and cream cheese are softened before beating with electric mixer. This, and scraping the bowl, will help your frosting be smooth and lump free.
tip 3
To keep your serving plate clean while frosting this cake, place strips of waxed paper around edge of plate. Remove after frosting is complete.
tip 4
A cake decorating turntable is helpful when frosting a cake. It allows you to turn the cake as you frost, which make it easier to smooth the surface.
SPLATTERED WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Imperfection is perfection on this imaginative cake. Splattered with whichever colors you like, it's primed for a celebration!"
Prep Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes; Servings: 12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Cake
3 oz white chocolate baking bars or squares, chopped (from 6-oz package)
2 tablespoons whipping cream
1 box white cake mix with pudding
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
Frosting and Splatters
1 package (6 oz) white chocolate baking bars or squares, chopped
1/3 cup whipping cream
1 cup butter, softened
6 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup pink candy melts, melted
1/2 cup orange candy melts, melted
1/2 cup yellow candy melts, melted
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan.) Spray bottom and sides of 2 (9-inch) round pans with baking spray with flour. In small microwavable bowl, microwave 3 oz white chocolate and 2 tablespoons whipping cream uncovered on High 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Cool 10 minutes.
In large bowl, beat cake mix, sour cream, oil, eggs and white chocolate mixture with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pans.
Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 5 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave 6 oz white chocolate and 1/3 cup whipping cream, uncovered, on High 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth.
In medium bowl, beat butter and 2 cups of the powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Add white chocolate mixture; blend well. Add remaining powdered sugar; beat until smooth.
Place 1 cake layer on cake plate, top side down. Spread with 2/3 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer top side up. Frost side and top of cake.
Using teaspoon, splatter top and side of cake with melted candy melts, alternating colors. Let stand at room temperature until 30 minutes or until set.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
Look for the candy melts at craft and specialty stores. Sometimes they are available at large grocery stores too.
PUMPKIN LAYER CAKE WITH CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM
This is from Yossy Arefo in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yossy wrote, "Warmly spiced pumpkin cake and toasty caramel are a natural pair in this fall showstopper. The cake is light and fluffy with just enough spice to highlight the pumpkin flavor, while a generous pour of caramel sauce between the layers adds richness. (Store-bought caramel sauce will also work, but expect a slightly sweeter result.) For an impressive presentation, top the frosted cake with a bit more caramel sauce, and let it trail down the sides. It’s just the thing for a fall birthday treat or the Thanksgiving table."
Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Time: 2 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "Not Everyone Loves Pie. For Them, There’s Cake.", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019728-pumpkin-layer-cake-with-caramel-buttercream.
Ingredients
For the cake:
2-1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons cake flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups pumpkin purée, at room temperature
For the caramel sauce (see note):
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
1 tablespoon whiskey or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For the buttercream:
4 large egg whites
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups unsalted butter, softened and cut into tablespoons
Pinch of kosher salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter three 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Flour the pans and paper.
Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda into a large bowl.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar, butter, spices and salt. Beat on medium-high until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Stop the mixer occasionally to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing for about 20 seconds between each egg. Add the vanilla extract and pumpkin purée and mix until well combined, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary. The mixture will look curdled.
Set mixer to low, and add the dry ingredients all at once, stirring until a few spots of flour remain. Remove the bowl from the mixer, and use a rubber spatula to finish folding the dry ingredients into the batter. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to ensure the batter is evenly mixed.
Divide the batter among the prepared pans (about 3 cups per pan), smooth the tops, and tap the pans on a countertop to release any large air bubbles. Bake the cakes until golden and puffed, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.
Cool the cakes in the pans on a rack for 10 minutes, then use the tip of a knife to loosen the edges and carefully invert them onto the rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the caramel sauce: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar and 3 tablespoons water. Swirl the pan occasionally until the sugar dissolves, but do not stir. Continue to cook, swirling the pan occasionally to help the mixture brown evenly, until it is deep amber in color. At this point, don't walk away from the pot: The caramel will go from amber to burned in mere moments.
Remove the pan from the heat, and carefully whisk in butter and heavy cream. The mixture will expand and sputter before turning into a smooth sauce. Add the whiskey and salt. Carefully pour the caramel into a heat-safe container and cool to room temperature. You will have about 1-1/2 cups.
Make the buttercream: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the egg whites and sugar. Set the bowl over a pot of simmering water, and whisk continuously until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot to the touch, 5 to 7 minutes.
Use the whisk attachment of the stand mixer to beat the egg white mixture until stiff, glossy peaks form and the mixture and bowl are cool to the touch, about 10 minutes.
Switch to the paddle attachment and reduce speed to medium. With the mixer running, add the butter a couple of tablespoons at a time and beat the buttercream until smooth and fluffy. During this step, the buttercream will likely break and look curdled; turn up the speed on the mixer for a few seconds, and it will come back together. Continue until all of the butter is incorporated then add the salt. Slowly add 1/2 cup cooled caramel sauce, and stir until well combined. If the buttercream is extremely soft or runny, put the bowl in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes, then whip until smooth.
Assemble the cake: If necessary, use a serrated knife to trim the cooled cake layers so they are flat and even. Add a small spoonful of buttercream onto a cardboard cake round or serving plate, and place the first layer of cake, cut side up, on top.
Spread about 3/4 cup buttercream on top of the cake. Drizzle the buttercream with 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce. Be careful not to drizzle the caramel all of the way to the edge so it doesn’t spill out the sides.
Place the second cake layer on top and repeat with buttercream and caramel. Place the final layer on top, cut side down, and spread the top and sides of the cake with a thin, even layer of buttercream. Refrigerate the cake until the buttercream is firm, about 30 minutes.
Spread the remaining buttercream in an even layer over the cake. If you’d like to add a caramel drizzle, refrigerate the fully frosted cake until firm then carefully spread about 1/3 cup of room temperature caramel sauce over the top of the cake. Use an offset spatula to gently ease it towards the edges so it drips down the sides. Serve at room temperature. Store leftover cake in the refrigerator, but bring to room temperature before serving. Leftover caramel sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Tip
You could use store-bought caramel sauce instead of making your own, but expect a slightly sweeter result. You’ll need approximately 1-1/2 cups.
LEMON POUND CAKE
This recipe begins, "This sugar-free pound cake is easy to make because it uses a reduced-fat baking mix as the base. Lemon yogurt, juice and grated lemon peel provide rich flavor. This is sure to become a favorite with frequent requests. Just don’t let anyone know how easy it really is to make so you can bask in all the praise!"
Yield: 16 servings
Source: Equal
Recipe and image appear courtesy of Equal.
To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/lemon-pound-cake.
Ingredients
Cooking spray
2-1/2 cups reduced-fat baking mix (Bisquick)
48 packets Equal sweetener*
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 cup lite lemon flavored nonfat yogurt
6 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
*Substitute 2 cups Equal Spoonful for the packets.
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F.
Spray a 9 cup Bundt cake pan OR a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray; set aside.
Combine baking mix, Equal, cornstarch and lemon peel.
Mix in yogurt, melted butter, eggs, lemon juice, milk and flavorings until blended.
Spoon mixture into prepared pan.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean.
Let cake cool in pan 5 minutes.
Remove and cool completely on wire rack.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 137; Fat: 6 grams; Sodium: 258 milligrams; Cholesterol: 35 milligrams; Protein: 3 grams; Carbohydrates: 18 grams
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Fat; 1 Starch
WACKY CAKE
This is from Mary Knipe at allrecipes, and begins, "Wacky cake is made without milk or eggs and is a moist, dark, and delicious chocolate cake. A brainchild of the Depression era when ingenious cooks developed a cake that could be made without expensive and scarce ingredients. Frost with your favorite icing."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 10; Yield: 1 (8X8-inch) cake
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup water
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in an 8x8-inch ungreased cake pan. Make 3 depressions in flour mixture; pour oil into one well, vinegar into second, and vanilla into third well. Pour water over all, then stir with a fork until well blended.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes.
STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE
This is from Molly O'Neil in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Molly wrote, “This humble dessert would never win a beauty contest when pitted against a towering layer cake swirled with frosting, but what it lacks in looks, it makes up in flavor and simplicity of preparation. The cake itself is light yet moist and soaks up the juice released by the strawberries and rhubarb while baking. Sliced almonds add a gentle crunch. It can be a bit tricky to unmold, so don't forget to line the pan with parchment and grease it generously with butter.” Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes; makes 8 to 10 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
The topping:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 1 to 2 teaspoons for greasing the pan
3/4 cup light-brown sugar
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1 pint strawberries (about 12 ounces), stemmed, hulled and halved
3 cups rhubarb, trimmed, cut across into 1/4-inch-thick slices, blanched for 2 minutes and drained well
The cake:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch round pan (at least 2 inches deep) with parchment paper and grease the parchment with 1 to 2 teaspoons softened butter. To make the topping, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan. Add the brown sugar to the remaining butter and cook until the sugar is melted, stirring until smooth. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Scatter the almonds over the brown-sugar mixture. Arrange the strawberries over the almonds in concentric circles, cut-side up. Top with the rhubarb and set aside.
To make the cake, using an electric mixer cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Combine the vanilla with the milk. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
Spread the batter over the fruit in the pan. Bake until the cake springs back when touched in the center, about 1 hour. (Cover the cake with foil if the top browns too much before the cake is done.) Remove the cake from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Turn out onto a cake plate. Replace any fruit that sticks to the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.
STRAWBERRY FROSTED LAYER CAKE
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "The star of this beautiful cake is the fresh strawberry buttercream frosting that’s bursting with summer flavor. As impressive as it looks, this cake is made easy with Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ white cake mix."
Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Cake
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ White Cake Mix
Water, vegetable oil and whole eggs called for on cake mix box
Frosting
3/4 cup butter, softened
4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened
4-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup seedless strawberry jam
1 teaspoon vanilla
Betty Crocker™ Red Gel Food Color
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries (about 10 medium)
Decoration
Whole fresh strawberries
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Spray bottoms and sides of 3 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray.
In large bowl, beat Cake ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide evenly between pans.
Bake 17 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.
In large bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese with electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. On low speed, beat in powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in strawberry jam and vanilla until blended. Tint frosting with food color to desired color.
Place one cake layer rounded side down on serving plate. Spread 2/3 cup of the frosting on top. Place 1/2 cup sliced strawberries, in single layer, on frosting layer to within 1/2 inch from edge of cake. Top with second cake layer, rounded side down. Spread 2/3 cup of the frosting on top and add remaining sliced strawberries; top with third cake layer rounded side up. Frost sides and top of cake with remaining frosting. Refrigerate cake at least 1 hour before serving. Place whole strawberries in center on top of cake. Store any remaining cake loosely covered in refrigerator.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
If baking three layers but not all three fit in the oven, refrigerate one pan of batter until others are baked, and then bake remaining layer separately.
tip 2
When making frosting, be sure the butter and cream cheese are softened before beating with electric mixer. This, and scraping the bowl, will help your frosting be smooth and lump free.
tip 3
To keep your serving plate clean while frosting this cake, place strips of waxed paper around edge of plate. Remove after frosting is complete.
tip 4
A cake decorating turntable is helpful when frosting a cake. It allows you to turn the cake as you frost, which make it easier to smooth the surface.
SPLATTERED WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Imperfection is perfection on this imaginative cake. Splattered with whichever colors you like, it's primed for a celebration!"
Prep Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes; Servings: 12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Cake
3 oz white chocolate baking bars or squares, chopped (from 6-oz package)
2 tablespoons whipping cream
1 box white cake mix with pudding
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
Frosting and Splatters
1 package (6 oz) white chocolate baking bars or squares, chopped
1/3 cup whipping cream
1 cup butter, softened
6 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup pink candy melts, melted
1/2 cup orange candy melts, melted
1/2 cup yellow candy melts, melted
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan.) Spray bottom and sides of 2 (9-inch) round pans with baking spray with flour. In small microwavable bowl, microwave 3 oz white chocolate and 2 tablespoons whipping cream uncovered on High 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Cool 10 minutes.
In large bowl, beat cake mix, sour cream, oil, eggs and white chocolate mixture with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pans.
Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 5 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave 6 oz white chocolate and 1/3 cup whipping cream, uncovered, on High 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth.
In medium bowl, beat butter and 2 cups of the powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Add white chocolate mixture; blend well. Add remaining powdered sugar; beat until smooth.
Place 1 cake layer on cake plate, top side down. Spread with 2/3 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer top side up. Frost side and top of cake.
Using teaspoon, splatter top and side of cake with melted candy melts, alternating colors. Let stand at room temperature until 30 minutes or until set.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
Look for the candy melts at craft and specialty stores. Sometimes they are available at large grocery stores too.
PUMPKIN LAYER CAKE WITH CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM
This is from Yossy Arefo in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yossy wrote, "Warmly spiced pumpkin cake and toasty caramel are a natural pair in this fall showstopper. The cake is light and fluffy with just enough spice to highlight the pumpkin flavor, while a generous pour of caramel sauce between the layers adds richness. (Store-bought caramel sauce will also work, but expect a slightly sweeter result.) For an impressive presentation, top the frosted cake with a bit more caramel sauce, and let it trail down the sides. It’s just the thing for a fall birthday treat or the Thanksgiving table."
Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Time: 2 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "Not Everyone Loves Pie. For Them, There’s Cake.", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019728-pumpkin-layer-cake-with-caramel-buttercream.
Ingredients
For the cake:
2-1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons cake flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups pumpkin purée, at room temperature
For the caramel sauce (see note):
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
1 tablespoon whiskey or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For the buttercream:
4 large egg whites
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups unsalted butter, softened and cut into tablespoons
Pinch of kosher salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter three 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Flour the pans and paper.
Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda into a large bowl.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar, butter, spices and salt. Beat on medium-high until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Stop the mixer occasionally to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing for about 20 seconds between each egg. Add the vanilla extract and pumpkin purée and mix until well combined, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary. The mixture will look curdled.
Set mixer to low, and add the dry ingredients all at once, stirring until a few spots of flour remain. Remove the bowl from the mixer, and use a rubber spatula to finish folding the dry ingredients into the batter. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to ensure the batter is evenly mixed.
Divide the batter among the prepared pans (about 3 cups per pan), smooth the tops, and tap the pans on a countertop to release any large air bubbles. Bake the cakes until golden and puffed, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.
Cool the cakes in the pans on a rack for 10 minutes, then use the tip of a knife to loosen the edges and carefully invert them onto the rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the caramel sauce: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar and 3 tablespoons water. Swirl the pan occasionally until the sugar dissolves, but do not stir. Continue to cook, swirling the pan occasionally to help the mixture brown evenly, until it is deep amber in color. At this point, don't walk away from the pot: The caramel will go from amber to burned in mere moments.
Remove the pan from the heat, and carefully whisk in butter and heavy cream. The mixture will expand and sputter before turning into a smooth sauce. Add the whiskey and salt. Carefully pour the caramel into a heat-safe container and cool to room temperature. You will have about 1-1/2 cups.
Make the buttercream: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the egg whites and sugar. Set the bowl over a pot of simmering water, and whisk continuously until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot to the touch, 5 to 7 minutes.
Use the whisk attachment of the stand mixer to beat the egg white mixture until stiff, glossy peaks form and the mixture and bowl are cool to the touch, about 10 minutes.
Switch to the paddle attachment and reduce speed to medium. With the mixer running, add the butter a couple of tablespoons at a time and beat the buttercream until smooth and fluffy. During this step, the buttercream will likely break and look curdled; turn up the speed on the mixer for a few seconds, and it will come back together. Continue until all of the butter is incorporated then add the salt. Slowly add 1/2 cup cooled caramel sauce, and stir until well combined. If the buttercream is extremely soft or runny, put the bowl in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes, then whip until smooth.
Assemble the cake: If necessary, use a serrated knife to trim the cooled cake layers so they are flat and even. Add a small spoonful of buttercream onto a cardboard cake round or serving plate, and place the first layer of cake, cut side up, on top.
Spread about 3/4 cup buttercream on top of the cake. Drizzle the buttercream with 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce. Be careful not to drizzle the caramel all of the way to the edge so it doesn’t spill out the sides.
Place the second cake layer on top and repeat with buttercream and caramel. Place the final layer on top, cut side down, and spread the top and sides of the cake with a thin, even layer of buttercream. Refrigerate the cake until the buttercream is firm, about 30 minutes.
Spread the remaining buttercream in an even layer over the cake. If you’d like to add a caramel drizzle, refrigerate the fully frosted cake until firm then carefully spread about 1/3 cup of room temperature caramel sauce over the top of the cake. Use an offset spatula to gently ease it towards the edges so it drips down the sides. Serve at room temperature. Store leftover cake in the refrigerator, but bring to room temperature before serving. Leftover caramel sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Tip
You could use store-bought caramel sauce instead of making your own, but expect a slightly sweeter result. You’ll need approximately 1-1/2 cups.
LEMON POUND CAKE
This recipe begins, "This sugar-free pound cake is easy to make because it uses a reduced-fat baking mix as the base. Lemon yogurt, juice and grated lemon peel provide rich flavor. This is sure to become a favorite with frequent requests. Just don’t let anyone know how easy it really is to make so you can bask in all the praise!"
Yield: 16 servings
Source: Equal
Recipe and image appear courtesy of Equal.
To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/lemon-pound-cake.
Ingredients
Cooking spray
2-1/2 cups reduced-fat baking mix (Bisquick)
48 packets Equal sweetener*
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 cup lite lemon flavored nonfat yogurt
6 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
*Substitute 2 cups Equal Spoonful for the packets.
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F.
Spray a 9 cup Bundt cake pan OR a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray; set aside.
Combine baking mix, Equal, cornstarch and lemon peel.
Mix in yogurt, melted butter, eggs, lemon juice, milk and flavorings until blended.
Spoon mixture into prepared pan.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean.
Let cake cool in pan 5 minutes.
Remove and cool completely on wire rack.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 137; Fat: 6 grams; Sodium: 258 milligrams; Cholesterol: 35 milligrams; Protein: 3 grams; Carbohydrates: 18 grams
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Fat; 1 Starch
WACKY CAKE
This is from Mary Knipe at allrecipes, and begins, "Wacky cake is made without milk or eggs and is a moist, dark, and delicious chocolate cake. A brainchild of the Depression era when ingenious cooks developed a cake that could be made without expensive and scarce ingredients. Frost with your favorite icing."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 10; Yield: 1 (8X8-inch) cake
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Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup water
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in an 8x8-inch ungreased cake pan. Make 3 depressions in flour mixture; pour oil into one well, vinegar into second, and vanilla into third well. Pour water over all, then stir with a fork until well blended.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes.
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