Chocolate Raspberry Marble Cake Food

MARBLE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray or lightly butter two 9-inch cake pans. Set aside.
• Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed in a large bowl until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the granulated and brown sugars and beat on high speed for 3-4 minutes until creamed. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer running on low speed, add the eggs then the egg yolks one at a time, then add the vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer running on low speed, add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk and mixing each addition just until incorporated. Do not overmix. Use a whisk to rid any large lumps, if needed. The batter will be slightly thick.
• Remove 1 cup of yellow batter and pour into a medium bowl. Melt 4 ounces of chocolate in the microwave, stopping and stirring every 20 seconds until completely smooth. Pour chocolate into the 1 cup of yellow batter you set aside and stir until combined.
• Pour an even layer of the yellow batter into each cake pan. Spoon chocolate batter on top, as shown in the photo above. Pour remaining yellow batter on top of the chocolate. Using a knife, swirl the two batters together. Don't worry if it's not perfect.
• Bake the layers for 22-27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one cake comes out clean. Mine usually take 24 minutes. During bake time, loosely cover the cakes with aluminum foil if you find the tops are browning too quickly. Remove cakes from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack.
• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the butter on high speed in a large bowl until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla, and cream with the mixer running on low. Once added, increase to high speed and beat for 3 full minutes. Add 1-2 more Tablespoons confectioners' sugar if frosting is too thin or 1-2 more Tablespoons of cream if frosting is too thick. Taste the frosting and add a pinch more salt if it's too sweet.
• If needed, level cakes to create a flat surface (I usually use a knife, be careful doing this!). Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand or large serving plate. Evenly spread about 3/4 cup frosting on top. Top with 2nd cake and spread the remaining frosting all over the sides and top. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Slice and serve.
• Cover any leftover cake and store at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

RASPBERRY-COCONUT CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH MARBLED FONDANT

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans and two 6-inch round cake pans with cooking spray; dust with flour and tap out the excess. Line the bottom of each pan with parchment.
• Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the milk, vegetable oil and eggs. Mix with a rubber spatula until just combined. Stir in the vanilla and coffee extracts.
• Pour 3 cups batter into each of the prepared 9-inch pans. Divide the remaining batter between the 6-inch pans (about 11/2 cups each); tap the pans against the counter to release any air bubbles. Bake, switching the position of the pans halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 35 minutes for the 6-inch cakes and 45 minutes for the 9-inch cakes. Transfer to racks and let cool 10 minutes in the pans, then remove the cakes to the racks, discard the parchment and let cool completely.
• Using a long serrated knife, split the cake layers in half horizontally to create four 9-inch layers and four 6-inch layers.
• Whisk the coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk in a medium bowl. Brush onto the cooled cake layers, using just enough to moisten the top of each.
• Make the frosting: Puree the raspberries in a food processor until smooth. Beat the butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Slowly beat in 4 cups confectioners? sugar until smooth. Add the raspberry puree, the remaining 2 cups confectioners? sugar and the lemon zest and juice; beat until fluffy, about 2 more minutes.
• Assemble the cake: Place one 9-inch layer on a cardboard round. Using an offset spatula, spread about 3/4 cup frosting on top. Stack the remaining 9-inch cake layers on top, spreading 3/4 cup frosting between each. Cover the top and sides of the cake with a thin layer of frosting (this is the crumb coat). Refrigerate until set, at least 30 minutes.
• Make the fondant: Dust a surface with confectioners? sugar. Roll 8 ounces white fondant into a thick log. Roll 2 ounces each blue, pink, green and yellow fondant (or other desired colors) into thin logs the same length as the white log. Use a little water to stick the colored logs to the white log. Use your hands to roll the fondant logs together into one big log, then twist the log a few times. Fold the twisted fondant log in half, then gather together into a ball. Using a rolling pin, roll out the fondant ball into a 15-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick, dusting with confectioners? sugar as needed. Lift the round of marbled fondant and drape it over the 6-inch cake. Smooth out the fondant with your hands. Trim off the excess fondant around the cake with a paring knife. Refrigerate until ready to assemble. Place the 9-inch layer cake on a cake board or cake stand; top with the 6-inch layer cake. Pipe the reserved frosting around the bottom edges of each cake layer. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to make a larger ball of marbled fondant, using 1 pound white fondant and 4 ounces each of the colored fondants. Roll into an 18-inch round. Drape the fondant over the 9-inch cake, then smooth and trim the edges.
• Meanwhile, lay one 6-inch cake layer on a cardboard round; spread 1/4 cup frosting on top. Stack the remaining 6-inch layers on top, spreading 1/4 cup frosting between each. Cover the top and sides of the cake with a thin layer of frosting. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Place the remaining frosting in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip; set aside.
• Cover the tiers with marbled fondant and finish assembling. Decorate with the remaining frosting as desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• For the puree: Place the raspberries in a blender and blend until smooth (yields 1 1/4 cups of puree). Remove 1/4 cup of puree and reserve.
• For the cake: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter and flour the bottom and sides of two 8- or 9-inch round nonstick baking pans. Set aside.
• Place 1 tablespoon of the cake mix and the chocolate chips in a small bowl. Toss until the chocolate chips are coated.
• In a large bowl, combine the remaining cake mix, 1 cup of the raspberry puree, vegetable oil, eggs and 1/4 cup water. Using an electric hand mixer, blend on low speed for 30 seconds. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed. Mix in the chocolate chips. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cool the pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack, about 1 hour.
• For the frosting: In a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, butter, cream cheese and sour cream. Using an electric hand mixer, beat on low speed until smooth. Increase the speed to high and beat until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
• In a small bowl, mix together 3/4 cup of the frosting and the reserved 1/4 cup puree until smooth.
• To assemble the cake: Place one cake layer, flat side-up, on a cake stand. Using a spatula, spread the raspberry-chocolate frosting over the cake layer leaving a 1/2-inch border. Place the other cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining chocolate frosting. Decorate with fresh raspberries or chocolate curls. Using a damp knife cut the cake into wedges and serve.
• Cake can be made 1 day in advance. Refrigerate in an airtight plastic container. Allow the cake to stand at room temperature for 1 hour before serving.

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY BUNDT CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, use a handheld electric mixer to whisk the milk, jam, melted butter, liqueur and eggs. Add the cake mix and beat on medium speed for about 1 minute.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean when inserted into the cake, about 35 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the ganache: Put the chocolate, jam, and liqueur in a mixing bowl. Bring the cream to a low simmer in a small pan set over medium-high heat. Pour over the chocolate and let stand 10 minutes. Stir with a whisk until smooth. Let stand another 10 minutes.
• Place the cake on a cake stand or serving dish and pour the ganache over it, letting it drip down the sides. Use the raspberries and mint to decorate it to look like a holiday wreath if desired.

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line three greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper and grease paper; set aside. In a large bowl, combine first six ingredients. Combine buttermilk, oil and vanilla; add to dry ingredients. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat 2 minutes. Gradually add coffee (batter will be thin)., Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes . Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For filling, in a small saucepan, whisk together flour and milk until smooth. Cook over medium heat 1 minute or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let stand until cool. , In a large bowl, cream shortening and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add confectioners' sugar and mix well. Gradually add cooled milk mixture; beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in liqueur, salt and, if desired, food coloring., Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread half the filling to within 1/4 in. of edge. Drizzle half the jam over filling. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Refrigerate until filling is set, about 30 minutes. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in cocoa and liqueur. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Frost top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY MARBLE CAKE

Steps:

• Beat margarine, sugar, and vanilla until frothy. Add eggs one at a time.
• With a wooden spoon, incorporate flour and baking powder alternating with the buttermilk.
• Mash raspberries through a sieve, collecting the juices. Throw away seeds.
• Divide dough in three different bowls. Mix in food colouring to one of the bowls. Mix cocoa with milk and add to another bowl. You should now have a bowl of each plain, pink, and brown dough.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Using a tablespoon alternate colours, dropping them by the spoonful on the bottom of a spring-form pan. Pour raspberry coulis into the joints where the colours meet. With a fine stick or knife "stir" minimally to give a marbled effect.
• Bake 1 hour. Wait 5 minutes before turning over on a wire rack to cool.

MARVELOUS MARBLE CAKE

Steps:

• In top of a double boiler or a metal bowl over barely simmering water, melt chocolate and 3 tablespoons butter; stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature., Preheat oven to 375°. Line bottoms of three greased 8-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment., In a large bowl, cream remaining butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition., Remove 2 cups batter to a small bowl; stir in cooled chocolate mixture and, if desired, chocolate chips, until blended. Drop plain and chocolate batters by tablespoonfuls into prepared pans, dividing batters evenly among pans. To make batter level in pans, bang cake pans several times on counter., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove parchment. Cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat butter until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency., If cake layers have rounded tops, trim with a serrated knife to make level. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Cool slightly., Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake., Drop cooled chocolate by 1/2 teaspoonfuls over frosting. Using a large offset spatula, smear chocolate to create a marble design in frosting.

CHOCOLATE MARBLE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Grease a 20cm cake tin and line the bottom with a circle of greaseproof paper.
• If you want to make life easy, simply put 225g butter, 225g caster sugar, 4 eggs, 225g self-raising flour, 3 tbsp milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract into a food processor and whizz for 1-2 mins until smooth.
• If you prefer to mix by hand, beat 225g butter and 225g caster sugar together, then add 4 eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Fold through 225g self-raising flour, 3 tbsp milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
• Divide the mixture between 2 bowls. Stir 2 tbsp cocoa powder into the mixture in one of the bowls. Take 2 spoons and use them to dollop the chocolate and vanilla cake mixes into the tin alternately.
• When all the mixture has been used up (and if young kids are doing this, you'll need to ensure the base of the tin is fairly evenly covered), tap the bottom on your work surface to ensure that there aren't any air bubbles.
• Take a skewer and swirl it around the mixture in the tin a few times to create a marbled effect.
• Bake the cake for 45-55 mins until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Turn out onto a cooling rack and leave to cool. Will keep for 3 days in an airtight container or freeze for up to 3 months.

CHOCOLATE & RASPBERRY BIRTHDAY LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Oil and line two round 20cm springform cake tins with baking parchment. Whisk the oil, sugar, eggs and milk in a bowl until smooth. Sieve the flour, cocoa and bicarb into another large bowl, then gradually mix in the wet ingredients.
• Divide the mixture between the tins and bake for 35-40 mins until the cakes are risen and spring back when pressed. Leave to cool in the tins for 10 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the raspberry layer, stir the jam and the defrosted raspberries together. Once the cakes are cool, whip the cream with the sugar to soft peaks, then gently fold half the raspberry mixture through the cream to create a ripple effect.
• Spoon most of the reserved raspberry mixture over one of the cakes, then dollop on half of the cream. Smooth over with a palette knife, then place the other sponge on top. Swirl over the remaining cream and swirl the last of the raspberry mixture through it. Will keep in the fridge for two days.

WHITE CHOCOLATE, RASPBERRY & HAZELNUT MARBLE TORTE

Steps:

• For the sponge, heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, then grease and line the base of a deep 22cm springform cake tin. Finely chop the toasted hazelnuts in a food processor, then tip into a bowl with the sugar, flour and bicarbonate of soda. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then quickly stir the butter, milk and yolks into the dry ingredients. When the mixture is smooth, stir in one-third of the egg whites, then gently fold in the rest. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, bake for 40-50 mins until the cake is golden andspringy to touch, then allow to cool.
• For the mousse, melt the chocolate in a glass bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, then let it cool slightly. Soften the gelatine in water, squeeze out, then put in a small pan with 100ml of the cream. Gently warm over a low heat until the gelatine is melted (you shouldn't be able to see any clear streaks in the cream), then tip into a bowl with the remaining cream and egg whites. Make sure you thoroughly scrape out the pan so no gelatine is left behind. Beat until it holds its shape, then spoon a quarter of this creamy mixture into the melted chocolate. Mix briefly until smooth. Fold in the remaining cream mix and raspberries, swirling the mixture so the berries begin to marble the mousse, then set aside until the cake is cool.
• To assemble, split the sponge in half and re-line the base of the cake tin with baking parchment. Use a long continuous strip of baking parchment to wrap around and line the inside, as this will help to make the sides of the finished torte look smooth. Press the bottom half of the cake back into the tin, sprinkle with half of the liqueur, then gently spoon over the mousse. Sprinkle the cut side of the top cake with the remaining liqueur and put this, liqueur-soaked side down, on top of the mousse. Press down gently, wrap the entire tin in cling film, then chill overnight.
• To serve, remove the torte from the fridge about 1 hr before you want to eat it, release from the tin, then gently peel off the baking parchment. Lightly dust the top of the torte with icing sugar, then pile on the chocolate curls (see box, below) and a few raspberries.

CHOCOLATE MARBLE CAKE

Steps:

• Have all ingredients at room temperature Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in the lower third of the oven. Spray 8-10 cup tube pan with cooking spray.
• Use a whisk to combine four, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sift together. Set aside. In a small bowl combine the espresso powder, cocoa and 1/3 cup of the sugar with 1/4 cup of water. Whisk until smooth. Set aside. In another small bowl, whisk whole egg with egg white. Set aside.
• Cut the butter into pieces and place in an electric mixing bowl. Beat for 1 minute to soften. Gradually add remaining 1 cup of sugar and beat at high speed for about 3 minutes. Dribble eggs in slowly, about 1 T at a time, beating constantly for about 2 minutes. On low speed, beat in a third of the flour mixture. On medium-high speed, beat in half of the yogurt. On low speed, beat in half of the remaining flour. On high speed, beat in the rest of the yogurt and the vanilla. On low speed, beat in the remaining flour.
• Measure out 1 1/2 cups of yogurt batter and mix into the cocoa mixture. Set aside.
• Use a large spoon to fill the bottom of the pan with about three quarters of the white batter placed in dollops. Cover the white batter with dollops of chocolate batter. Top the chocolate batter with small dollops of white batter spaced so that the chocolate batter shows through. Use a table knife to marble the batters together with a circular or zigzag motion; be careful not to blend them too much. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the cake starts to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in comes out clean.
• Cool for 10-15 minutes on a rack. Unmold the cake. Cool completely before serving or storing.

CHOCOLATE & RASPBERRY ZEBRA CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line the base of a deep 22cm round cake tin with baking parchment.
• To make the raspberry sponge, put the yogurt, oil and raspberries in a food processor or blender, and whizz until well blended. Sieve, to remove the seeds, into a measuring jug, until you reach 300ml. Discard the rest.
• From now, make the 2 cakes simultaneously. In 2 mixing bowls, separately mix the dry ingredients, plus a pinch of salt, for the raspberry and chocolate sponges. Crack in the eggs, then add the yogurt, oil and vanilla extract to the chocolate one, and the measured raspberry mixture to the other. Beat each with an electric whisk until smooth, cleaning whisks between bowls. Quickly stir some pink food colouring into the raspberry batter, to give a strong colour - a good cherry pink works well.
• Sit the cake tin in front of you and a bowl of cake batter to each side - you need to work quickly and smoothly for the next bit, so make sure your oven is hot and racks are in the right place. Using 2 x ½ cup measurers, or 2 similar ladles or serving spoons, spoon 1 measure (about 150ml) of the chocolate batter into the very centre of the prepared cake tin. Don't wait for it to settle or spread, quickly top with the same measure of raspberry mixture, right in the middle (see Secrets of success, below). Repeat alternating batters, without pausing, until all the mixes are finished, then put straight in the oven.
• Bake for 1 hr until a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean - keep an eye on it though, you may want to loosely cover with parchment after 45 mins if the cake is looking dark (the top will be cracked). Cool in the tin.
• To decorate, put the cream and raspberry jam in a pan, and bring nearly to the boil, stirring to melt the jam. Take off the heat, tip in the chocolate and leave until melted. Stir together until smooth. When thick enough to spread, remove the cake from the tin and swirl the chocolate icing all over the top.

CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat three 8-by-2-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. Line bottoms with parchment. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. In another large bowl, beat butter with sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in liqueur. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with buttermilk in two batches. Beat to combine, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in melted chocolate.
• Divide batter evenly among prepared pans, smoothing tops with an offset spatula. Bake, rotating pans halfway through front to back and top to bottom, until a tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cakes cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes. Run a small sharp knife around edges, then invert onto rack. Remove parchment and let cool completely, about 25 minutes. With a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes so they're level.
• Filling: While cakes are baking, stir together 3 cups raspberries, sugar, salt, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Cook over high, stirring frequently and mashing with the back of a spoon, until mixture comes to a boil, 2 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring, until mixture thickens and clings to spoon, 7 to 8 minutes more. (You should have 1 1/3 cups.) Let cool 30 minutes. Stir in 2 cups raspberries, reserving remainder.
• Spread half of filling over one cake. Top with second layer; spread remaining filling over top. Top with final layer, cut-side down. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour and up to overnight. Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Garnish with remaining raspberries.

LUSCIOUS CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Grease 2 8 inch or 2 9 inch cake pans.
• Prepare cake by combining cake mix, soda, and eggs. Beat 2 minutes. Add 2/3 cup of raspberry jam and white chocolate chips and stir til incorporated. Pour dough equally into 2 pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
• Place one cake on serving plate, smooth edge on top. Spread 2/3 cup of raspberry jam on top of cake, leaving 1/2 inch around the cake with no jam. Place the other smooth side of the cake on top raspberry jam. If top of the cake is rounded, use a knife, such as a bread knife, to cut of top. Spread chocolate frosting evenly over the entire cake. Decorate cake with additional jam and white chocolate chips if desired.

WHITE CHOCOLATE & RASPBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line the base of 2 x 20cm round, loose-bottomed cake tins. Put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof mixing bowl, set over a pan of barely simmering water and allow to melt slowly, stirring occasionally.
• When the butter and chocolate have melted, remove from the heat and allow to cool for 1-2 mins, then beat in the eggs and sugar with an electric whisk. Fold in the flour and raspberries.
• Gently pour the mixture into the tins and bake for 20-25 mins or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean (the raspberries may leave a residue on the skewer, so don't be fooled by their juiciness). Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool in the tins for 10 mins before turning out onto a wire rack.
• To make the ganache, put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl with 100ml of the cream, set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted into the cream and you are left with a smooth, glossy ganache. Leave the ganache to cool to room temperature, then beat in the rest of the cream.
• When the cakes have cooled, sandwich them together with the chocolate ganache. Dust with icing sugar just before serving.