Brainy Cake Food

NO-BAKE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE BRAIN

Steps:

• For the graham cracker crust: Pulse the graham crackers, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a food processor until crumbs form. Drizzle in the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like wet sand. Transfer to a bowl and wipe out the food processor.
• For the cheesecake: Whisk the gelatin into 1/3 cup warm water and let sit until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Pulse the cream cheese in the food processor until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Then add the granulated sugar, vanilla, salt, lemon juice and softened gelatin. Pulse until completely smooth. With the food processor running, add the heavy cream and enough food coloring to make the batter a light pink. Process until combined.
• For the strawberry syrup: Combine the strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring to a simmer and simmer until the berries are very soft but still holding their shape. Strain the syrup, transfer the berries to a small bowl and chill. Return the syrup to the saucepan and continue cooking until thickened, about 10 minutes. Chill the syrup until ready to use.
• Coat a plastic 9.75-by-8.5-by-4-inch (7-cup) brain-shaped gelatin mold generously with nonstick cooking spray. Pour half of the cheesecake batter into the mold, swirling the batter to cover all sides of the mold. Freeze for 5 minutes to let the batter thicken. Using the back of a spoon, spread the batter up the sides so there is a 1/2-inch-thick coating around the entire mold. Freeze for 10 minutes to set the batter.
• Add the strawberries to the center of the mold. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the strawberry syrup over the strawberries. Evenly spread the remaining batter over the berries, pressing the batter into the mold to fill any gaps. Top with the graham cracker crumbs, pressing to create a firm crust. Place the cheesecake in the freezer until the sides are very firm and almost frozen, about 2 hours. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours before serving.
• To unmold the cheesecake: First, carefully place the mold briefly into a bowl of hot water, then run a small offset spatula around the edge of the mold to help release the cheesecake from the sides. Invert onto a plate and poke small holes in the mold with a paring knife to help release the cheesecake from the mold. Carefully pull off the mold. Top the brain with the remaining strawberry syrup.

CHARLOTTE ROYALE (AKA BRAIN CAKE)

Steps:

• Cut the cakes into about 1 1/2cm (half inch) slices.
• Butter a bowl (or mold or springform pan) and place 1 1/2cm slices of jam roll around the sides, fitting them tightly together so that there are no spaces for the custard to seep through. Reserve some slices for placing on top of the Bavarian cream (which will be the bottom of the cake when removed from the mold). Refrigerate until you are ready to fill the mold.
• If using gelatine, soak gelatine in 3 tablespoons cold water.
• Heat milk with vanilla over a medium heat. Add gelatine (or agar-agar) to the milk and bring it gently to the boil, stirring continuously. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
• While cooling, whisk together egg yolks, icing sugar and salt until smooth, and pour the yolk mixture into the milk while stirring constantly.
• Stir continuously with whisk over a gentle heat until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. The mixture must NOT boil. Pour into a bowl and allow to cool, then refrigerate until the custard is cold and just beginning to thicken.
• While the custard is cooling, whip the cream until it just starts to thicken, then add the icing sugar. Continue whipping to soft peaks. Fold in the fruit or purée and/or liqueur if using.
• Fold cream together with the cooled, but not set, custard. (If the custard has cooled and set a bit too fast, use your mixer to make it creamy before blending it with the whipped cream.).
• Pour into the prepared dish, top with reserved slices of sponge roll and chill overnight.
• To unmold, briefly place the bowl into warm water, cover with serving plate and invert. Tap gently and ease the bowl off of the cake. Add whipped cream and fruit as a garnish if you like.
• For vegetarian use agar-agar.

CAKE POP BRAINS

Steps:

• Combine the cake and frosting in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and holds together when pressed in your fingers. (Add more frosting a teaspoon or so at a time, if needed, to reach the desired consistency.) Set aside.
• Put about two-thirds of the candy melting wafers or ruby chocolate in a double boiler. Heat, stirring, until almost melted (a few remaining chunks is okay). Add the remaining candy melting wafers or chocolate in 2 or 3 additions, stirring to melt. (For ruby chocolate, the melted chocolate should read 110 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, then cool to 80 degrees F once the last third of the chocolate is stirred in.)
• Divide about two-thirds of the melted candy mixture among eight 2-inch-wide silicone brain molds and use a small brush to evenly coat each mold, making sure the sides and bottoms are well covered and no part of the mold shows through. Pop into the refrigerator for a few minutes for faster setting (don't refrigerate for too long or they can crack when unmolding).
• Combine the jam and a few drops of red food coloring, just to intensify the color, in a small bowl. Stir in a few drops of water, if needed, so the jam is fluid but not runny.
• When the shells are set, divide the jam among the cavities. Mold the cake mixture into balls and press into the molds. Use a sharp paring knife to shave the cake so it's flush with the top of the molds. Smooth the remaining melted candy mixture over top to cover the cake completely. Let set at room temperature, at least 40 minutes (or refrigerate for a few minutes for faster setting).
• Gently press the brains out of the molds and serve.