April Showers Chiffon Cake Food

CHIFFON CAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Whisk together flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, the baking powder, and salt. Whisk together oil, egg yolks, and milk in a large bowl. Whisk flour mixture into egg-yolk mixture.
• Beat egg whites with a mixer on high speed until frothy. Add cream of tartar and vanilla seeds or extract, and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar, beating until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes. Whisk one-third of the egg-white mixture into batter. Gently but thoroughly fold in remaining egg-white mixture with a rubber spatula.
• Transfer batter to tube pan. Bake until top of cake springs back when touched, 52 to 55 minutes. Let cool upside down (over a bottle or on tube-pan feet) 1 hour.
• Make the berries and cream: While cake is baking and cooling, combine strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and salt, and let sit, stirring occasionally, 1 hour. Just before assembling, beat cream and confectioners' sugar until medium peaks form.
• Slide a paring knife around edges of tube and side of pan; release cake. Cut cake horizontally into 3 layers with a serrated knife. Transfer bottom layer to a cake plate or platter. Spread with half the berries, and drizzle with juices. Spread half the whipped cream over berries, then top with middle cake layer. Spread with remaining berries and whipped cream. Top with remaining cake layer. Refrigerate cake 1 hour. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve with berries.

OMG CAKE

Steps:

• Print the OMG Letter Templates (link below) and cut them out with scissors. Place the letters on one of the sheets of Sponge Cake and use a sharp knife or kitchen-dedicated X-Acto knife to cut out the letters. Repeat the process with the remaining cakes so you have 3 of each letter. Discard the cake scraps or save for ice cream sundae toppings.
• Place one set of letters on a 14-by-18-inch cake board or large platter, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Pipe mounds of the Buttercream Frosting in alternating colors onto the cake pieces. Stack one set of matching letters on top of the first set of letters. Pipe the second layer of cake pieces with more mounds of buttercream. Add the final layer of cake pieces on top and pipe mounds of buttercream on top. Add the rainbow nonpareils and confetti sprinkles immediately.
• Decorate the top of the cake with the mini chocolate bars, donuts, rock candy lollipops, gummy candies and chocolate balls. Serve at room temperature. Store leftovers covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 17-by-11-inch jelly roll pan with flour-based baking spray.
• Place the eggs in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and, with a timer set, beat for 5 minutes. Slowly add the granulated sugar and oil. Beat well. Add the milk and vanilla. Switch to the paddle attachment. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add slowly to the liquid ingredients. Beat for 2 minutes, until well combined. The batter will be thin.
• Pour the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan and bake for 10 minutes. When done, the cake should spring back when touched in the center. Immediately turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the buttercream frosting: In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the butter and confectioners' sugar. Begin mixing on low speed until the mixture is crumbly. Increase to high and beat for 3 minutes.
• Add the vanilla extract and beat again. While mixing, add cream or milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture comes to piping consistency.
• Divide the frosting evenly into 7 separate bowls. Tint each bowl of frosting with one of the 6 colors (pink, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet), leaving one bowl untinted; begin with 1 teaspoon of food coloring and add more to intensify the color if needed. Transfer each color of frosting to a separate piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain decorator tip.

PECAN PIE CHIFFON CAKE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 325˚ F. Separate the eggs; put the whites in one large bowl and the yolks in another. Let stand at room temperature to warm up while you assemble all the other ingredients, about 30 minutes. (Be prepared to make the cake batter without stopping so the eggs don't deflate.)
• Add the cream of tartar to the egg whites and beat with a mixer on medium speed until thickened and starting to turn white, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup granulated sugar, then increase the speed to medium high and beat until the egg whites are glossy, thick and hold stiff peaks but are not dry, about 5 more minutes. Set aside while making the rest of the batter (don't do this ahead of time or the egg whites will deflate).
• Add the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar to the egg yolks along with the brown sugar. Beat with the mixer (no need to wash the beaters) until smooth and lightened in color, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vegetable oil and vanilla until smooth and thick, then beat in the milk (the batter will be thin). Add the flour, ground pecans, baking powder and salt and beat on low speed until thoroughly combined.
• Add about one-third of the beaten egg whites to the batter and fold in with a rubber spatula until combined. Add the remaining egg whites and continue to fold until no white streaks remain. Pour into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan or angel food cake pan and run the spatula around the center of the batter to create a line where excess air can escape as the cake rises.
• Bake the cake until the top is golden and springs back when touched and a long skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and immediately turn the cake upside down over the slim neck of a bottle (if your pan has feet, use those instead). Let cool completely. Use a thin spatula to loosen the cake around the sides and middle of the pan. Turn out onto a platter.
• Make the glaze: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the pecans and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the brown sugar, heavy cream, corn syrup and salt and carefully stir to combine. Continue to cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan when stirring, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool and thicken, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• When the glaze has thickened but is still pourable, spoon it over the cake, letting it drip down the sides. As the glaze cools, use the spoon or spatula to spread some of the pecans that fell down onto the top and sides. Let stand, at least 30 minutes.

FLUFFY CHIFFON CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line the bottom of a 10" springform pan with 3" sides with parchment paper cut to fit exactly. Do not grease the sides of the pan.
• Sift together the flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl. Add 1¼ cups of the sugar and the salt and whisk to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, egg yolks, water, vanilla, and lemon zest. Make a well in the flour, add the yolk mixture, and then whisk thoroughly and quickly for about 1 minute until very smooth.
• Place the egg whites in a large mixing bowl. Using a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat on medium speed until frothy. Add the cream of tartar or lemon juice and beat on medium-high speed until the whites hold soft peaks. Slowly add the remaining ¼ cup sugar and beat on medium-high speed until the whites hold firm, shiny peaks. Using a rubber spatula, scoop about one third of the whites onto the yolk mixture and fold in gently to lighten the batter. Gently fold in the remaining whites just until combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with an offset spatula if necessary. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 45-55 minutes. Let cool in the pan (the sides of the pan will help hold the structure of the cake as it cools) on a wire rack. To unmold, run a small, thin knife around the sides of the pan to loosen the cake and then release and lift off the pan sides. Invert the cake, peel off the parchment, and then use as directed in individual recipes. The cake will keep, well wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

CARAMEL CHIFFON CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment; butter parchment. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, egg yolks, milk, and vanilla seeds. Whisk egg-yolk mixture into flour mixture.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites on high speed until frothy. Add cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, beating until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes. Whisk one-third of egg-white mixture into batter. Gently but thoroughly fold in remaining egg-white mixture with a rubber spatula. Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake until tops spring back when lightly touched, about 25 to 30 minutes. Run a knife around edges of pans. Invert cakes onto a wire rack; remove parchment. Let cool completely, upside-down.
• Using a serrated knife, split each cake horizontally into three equal layers. Place a cake layer on a cake stand or turn table. Spread 3/4 cup buttercream evenly over it, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup malted milk balls. Repeat with remaining 5 cake layers. Spread remaining buttercream over top and sides of cake. Decorate with more malted milk balls, caramel dots, and chocolate curls, if desired.

DRAGON EGG CAKE

Steps:

• For the egg cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and lightly flour a 6-by-9-inch 3D egg cake pan.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until lightened in color and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk; begin and end with the flour mixture. Beat until the batter is smooth and thoroughly combined.
• Divide the batter among 3 bowls. Tint one bowl with the red food color, one with the orange and one with the yellow. Fill each half of the egg pan alternately with the batter colors. Use a butter knife or skewer to swirl the batter together.
• Bake until a toothpick tester inserted near the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Transfer the cakes to wire cooling racks and let them cool completely before frosting. When the cakes are cool, level them with a serrated knife, if needed.
• For the simple syrup: Combine the granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let cool for about 15 minutes before using.
• Place the cakes dome-side up on a wire rack or baking sheet. Use a pastry brush to coat the cakes with the simple syrup. Use about two-thirds of the syrup on the cakes and reserve the remaining syrup for later use.
• For the vanilla buttercream: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment, cream together the butter and confectioners' sugar on low speed until crumbly. Add the vanilla extract. Beat again, adding milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time to thin the mixture. When the mixture starts to appear creamy, increase the mixer speed to high and beat until light and fluffy. Add more milk or cream to bring to spreading consistency.
• Place one egg cake on a 9-inch cake board or serving plate dome-side down. Cover with a thick layer of buttercream and sandwich with the second egg cake, dome-side up. Use the buttercream to completely cover the outside of the egg cake, smoothing it as much as possible with an offset spatula. This doesn't have to be perfect because the cake will be covered with fondant dragon scales. Refrigerate the cake until the buttercream is firm, about 20 minutes.
• For the marshmallow fondant and décor: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the marshmallows and 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon water. Microwave in 30-second intervals until the marshmallows have expanded to twice their size, 60 to 90 seconds total. Stir to deflate.
• Add one-third of the confectioners' sugar into the marshmallow mixture and stir to combine. Add more confectioners' sugar and stir until very stiff. When the mixture becomes difficult to stir, knead with your hands. Add the remaining confectioners' sugar a little at a time, until the fondant is very smooth and elastic and holds a firm ball shape.
• Remove a third of the fondant to a work surface and cover the remaining fondant with plastic wrap to prevent drying. Dust the work surface with confectioners' sugar. Knead a few drops of brown gel food color into the portion until a light tan is achieved. If the fondant feels too dry, knead in 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable shortening. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and set aside to rest.
• Re-dust the work surface with confectioners' sugar. Knead the remaining fondant with 1/4 teaspoon moss green gel food color until a consistent green hue is achieved. Roll the fondant to 1/8-inch thickness using a fondant rolling pin. Use a 2-inch fondant serrated leaf cutter to stamp as many 'dragon scales' from the fondant as possible. Transfer the scales to baking sheets lined with parchment paper and cover with plastic wrap so they don't dry out. Re-roll the fondant and cut more scales. Repeat the process until all of the fondant is used.
• Roll out the tan fondant to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out a 6-inch circle with a 6-inch pastry cutter (or use a dessert plate as a template). Use a kitchen-dedicated paintbrush to lightly coat one side of the fondant with the simple syrup and then press it onto the bottom rounded part of the egg. Use the end of the paintbrush to pock the fondant. Use a butter knife to scrape irregular markings into the fondant to create a distressed appearance.
• Use the paintbrush to apply a small amount of simple syrup to the back of a fondant scale. Place the scale halfway over the edge of the 6-inch round of fondant. Repeat the process, overlapping the scales slightly. After the first row of scales is applied, begin the second row by placing a scale's point between 2 scales of the first row. Repeat the process of brushing, applying and overlapping scales until the entire cake is covered.
• In 3 separate small cups, combine each of these food colors with a few drops of clear extract: emerald green, moss green and neon yellow. Lightly dip a clean brush into the emerald green food color mixture. Brush it onto the top third of the scaled portion of the cake. Dampen a food-dedicated 3-inch round sponge with water and wring out completely. Use the sponge to tap the color into the fondant, so that it has a mottled appearance. Repeat the process with the moss green food color on the middle third of the scales, followed by the yellow on the bottom third of the scales. Use the sponge to mottle color onto the distressed tan fondant. Use every color to create lots of color variation. Refrigerate the cake until the color is set and dry, about 15 minutes.
• Dip a dry soft-bristle paintbrush into the gold luster dust. Lightly brush over the scales to create a metallic shine.
• Slice the cake in front of your guests to reveal the fiery interior--then ENJOY!

LEMON CHIFFON CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees and have ready an ungreased 7-inch tube pan. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and 3/4 cup granulated sugar; set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, vegetable oil, 1/3 cup water, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Add reserved dry ingredients, and beat until smooth.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Add cream of tartar; beat on high speed until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Gradually add remaining tablespoon of granulated sugar; beat on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.
• Gradually fold egg-white mixture into the batter; start by folding in 1/3, then fold in the remaining 2/3. Pour batter into pan. Using an offset spatula, smooth the top. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean and the cake is golden, about 45 minutes.
• Remove cake from oven; invert the pan over a glass soda bottle for 2 hours to cool. Turn cake right-side up. Run a table knife all the way down between cake and pan; invert again, and remove cake. Dust cake with confectioners' sugar before serving.