Angel Food Cake With Espresso Mascarpone Cream

ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH ESPRESSO MASCARPONE CREAM

Steps:

• Stir the water and espresso powder in a large bowl to blend. Stir in the mascarpone. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream in another large bowl, while slowly adding powdered sugar, until soft peaks form. Using a large rubber spatula, fold 1/4 of the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture to lighten. Then fold the remaining whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.
• Cut the angel food cake into 16 (1-inch thick) wedges. Reserve any remaining cake for another use. Brush 1 side of each wedge of cake with the liqueur. Arrange 2 wedges of cake on each plate. Dollop the espresso cream atop each wedge of cake. Dust with the cocoa powder and serve.

ESPRESSO CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve espresso powder in water; cool. Stir in cheese., In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Gradually add confectioners' sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Stir 1/2 cup cream into cheese mixture; fold in remaining cream., Serve mascarpone cream with cake. Drizzle each serving with liqueur and dust with cocoa.

ESPRESSO FILLING

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix espresso powder and water until smooth; cool. In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese, confectioners' sugar, cream, vanilla and espresso mixture on medium speed until creamy and slightly thickened (do not overmix). Spread between cake layers.

MASCARPONE CREAM

Steps:

• Chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for 30 minutes to help this mascarpone cream whip up better.
• Place 1 cup (8 oz.) of cold, drained mascarpone cheese into the chilled mixing bowl and mix on a medium low speed until smooth.
• Pour in 1 cup of powdered sugar, and mix on low at first to avoid powdered sugar clouds / explosions. Increase the speed to medium high once the powdered sugar is incorporated and mix for about 1 minute. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed throughout this process.
• Add in 1 tsp of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, then turn the mixer to a medium high speed and gradually pour in 2 1/2 cups of cold heavy cream. I like to do this in about 4 additions and focus on pouring the heavy cream down the side of the bowl to prevent it from splattering.
• Watch the mixture closely once the heavy cream is fully mixed in. It should thicken and take shape shortly after this (mine usually does within about 30 seconds of add in all the heavy cream). Take care not to over-mix this mascarpone cream!! If you do it can become soupy and sadly you won't be able to fix it.
• As soon as you see the frosting start to take shape, turn off your mixer and do a quick whisk test. Dunk your whisk attachment into the cream, then put it up and flip it upside down. The mascarpone cream should keep its shape and form a nice peak. If it doesn't, continue to mix on a medium high speed in 15-30 second intervals until it does.
• This mascarpone cream can be used to frost cupcakes, decorate layer cakes, or even top cookies, ice cream, and pies! It pipes well and can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container.

ESPRESSO MASCARPONE CREAM

Steps:

• Bring cream to a simmer.
• Remove from heat, stir in espresso powder and confectioner's sugar.
• Transfer to bowl and cool slightly.
• Whisk in mascarpone.
• Refrigerate until ready to use.

ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH ESPRESSO MASCARPONE CHEESE

Steps:

• Stir the water and espresso powder in a large bowl to blend.
• Stir in the mascarpone.
• Using an electric mixer beat the cream in another large bowl, while slowly adding powdered sugar, until soft peaks form.
• Using a large rubber spatula, fold 1/4 of the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture to lighten.
• Then fold the remining whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.
• Cut the angel food cake into 16(1" thick) wedges.
• Reserve any remaining cake for another use.
• Brush 1 side of each wedge of cake with the liqueur.
• Arrange 2 wedges of cake on each plate.
• Dollop the espresso cream atop each wedge of cake.
• Dust with cocoa powder and nuts and serve.

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE CHIP ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Sift together the espresso powder, cake flour, and salt. Set aside.
• Put the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites on medium speed until frothy. Add the cream of tartar. Increase to high speed and slowly pour in the sugar. Continue whipping until the whites are stiff but still shiny, about 3 minutes.
• Reduce to low speed and add the vanilla extract and lemon juice. Add the reserved flour mixture. When the flour mixture is almost completely incorporated, remove the bowl from the machine and fold in the chocolate chips. Make sure that the chocolate chips are spread throughout the batter and that the flour is evenly mixed into the egg whites. Do not over mix.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and cut through it a few times with a dull knife to break up any air pockets.
• Bake until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Invert the cake on a rack and let it cool upside down in the pan.
• Unmold the cake and slice it with a serrated knife.

TIRAMISù ANGEL CAKE TORTE

Steps:

• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until smooth. Add 1 cup whipping cream, 2/3 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons amaretto, cocoa and espresso powder. Beat until fluffy and smooth. Using same beaters, beat remaining 1 cup cream in medium bowl until firm peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cheese mixture for frosting.
• Cut cake horizontally into 3 equal layers. Place bottom cake layer on platter. Sprinkle with 4 teaspoons amaretto. Spread with 1 cup frosting. Sprinkle with half of grated chocolate. Repeat layering with cake, amaretto, frosting and grated chocolate. Top with third cake layer. Sprinkle with 4 teaspoons amaretto. Spread remaining frosting over cake. Press almonds onto sides of cake. Top with chocolate shavings, if desired.

ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Adjust the oven rack to the lower middle position and preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
• In a food processor or blender, pulse the sugar until fine and powdery. Remove 1 cup and set aside to use in step 3; keep the rest inside the food processor. Add the cake flour and salt to the food processor. Pulse 5-10 times until sugar/flour/salt mixture is aerated and light.
• In a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip egg whites and cream of tartar together on medium-low until foamy, about 1 minute. Switch to medium-high and slowly add the 1 cup of sugar you set aside. Whip until soft peaks form, about 5-6 minutes. See photo and video above for a visual. Add the vanilla extract, then beat just until incorporated.
• In 3 additions, slowly sift the flour mixture into the egg white mixture using a fine mesh strainer, gently folding with a rubber spatula after each addition. To avoid deflating or a dense cake, don't add the flour mixture all at once. Sift and very slowly fold in several additions. This is important! Pour and spread batter into an ungreased 9 or 10 inch tube pan. Shimmy the pan on the counter to smooth down the surface.
• Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through baking. The cake will rise up very tall while baking. Remove from the oven, then cool the cake completely upside-down set on a wire rack, about 3 hours. (Upside-down so the bottom of the tube pan is right-side up, see photo and video above.) Once cooled, run a thin knife around the edges and gently tap the pan on the counter until the cake releases.
• If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar. Slice the cake with a sharp serrated knife. Regular knives can easily squish the cake. Serve with whipped cream and fresh berries.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.