Classic Pink Champagne Cake Food

PINK CHAMPAGNE CAKE

Steps:

• Use a box of white cake mix (NO pudding) and substitute champagne - 1/2 to 3/4 cup to replace all of the liquid called for in the cake mix. So if the box says 3/4 cup water replace with 3/4 cup champagne. I did use one that had 1 1/4 cups water and replaced with champagne, just depends on the cake mix brand you buy. The kind of champagne/sparkling wine (pink, white, sweet, dry) used will determine the flavor. I usually just buy the cheap pink sparkling stuff in the grocery store, it's sweet and yummy in this!
• Tint with red food coloring to a soft pink, use a drop at a time, this stuff will stain, probably take about 3 drops.
• Bake cake as instructed on box. I usually make in 9x13-inch pan, but for an elegant layer cake use two 9 round cake pans, a heart pan would be perfect for Valentine's Day!
• Creamy champagne frosting:.
• Beat 1 cup softened butter for 30 seconds. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar.
• Beat in 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup champagne, and 1 TB vanilla.
• Beat in 5-5 1/2 more cups powdered sugar till you can spread it or is consistency you want.
• Add red coloring till pink color, again slowly add a drop at a time till color you want. Frost completely cooled cake.
• This is excellent served the next day after being refrigerated all night so the flavors can blend!

CLASSIC PINK CHAMPAGNE CAKE RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
• In a separate bowl, cream the butter with sugar until fluffy. Add the egg whites and beat until foamy. Add the flour mixture and 1 cup champagne into the batter alternately, about ¼ of each at a time, and mix until smooth. Add 1 to 2 drops of red food coloring and mix until desired color is reached.
• Pour the batter into three greased 8-inch cake pans or two 9-inch pans. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until cakes spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with only cake crumbs. Let stand 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool. Cool completely before assembling.
• While the cake is cooling, make the Bavarian-style cream by adding cold whipping cream and pudding mix to a mixing bowl. Beat until the mixture becomes stiff. Slowly add in the vanilla extract, followed by the milk, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Refrigerate filling until ready to use.
• For the champagne buttercream frosting, begin by beating the butter on high speed until is creamy. Add the confectioner's sugar 1 cup at a time, and beat on low until combined. Add 1/4 cup champagne to the frosting, and continue to beat until frosting is creamy.
• To assemble the cake, place a layer of cake on a plate. Pipe a ring of frosting just on the inside of the cake layer to create a dam that prevents the filling from coming out. Add Bavarian-style cream to the center of the layer, and spread evenly. Place the next layer on top, and repeat. When you get to the top layer, spread a light layer of frosting on the top and sides of the cake to create a crumb coat. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes.
• Once the frosting is set, add a second layer of frosting to the cake, and smooth the top and sides of cake. Decorate as desired, and serve.

PINK CHAMPAGNE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Spray bottoms and sides of two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, stir together cake mix and 1 1/4 cups champagne. Add oil, egg whites and food color; beat with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes. Pour into pans.
• Bake as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch rounds. Cool 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In medium bowl, beat frosting ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. On serving plate, place 1 cake layer, rounded side down. Frost top of cake layer. Top with second layer, rounded side up. Frost side and top of cake. Sprinkle with garnishes. Store loosely covered.

PINK CHAMPAGNE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 2 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray, and line bottoms with parchment rounds. Lightly grease parchment with cooking spray.
• Add cake mix to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Add eggs, sour cream, and 1 cup of the champagne; mix on low speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium, and beat 2 minutes. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Place freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor, and process until a fine powder, about 30 seconds. Remove 1 tablespoon of the powder, and set aside for garnish.
• Add butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, remaining strawberry powder, and remaining ¼ cup champagne; mix on low until incorporated. Increase speed to medium, and beat until light and fluffy. Add additional champagne, 1 teaspoon at a time, if frosting is too thick.
• Remove parchment rounds from cakes. Place one cake layer on cake plate, and spread with about 1 cup of the buttercream. Top with second layer, and press gently.
• Spread a very thin layer of frosting over top and sides of cake (crumb coat). Chill 15 minutes. Remove from refrigerator, and spread remaining frosting evenly over top and sides of cake. Decorate with remaining 1 tablespoon strawberry powder and nonpareils.