Cream Cake Food

CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9-inch square pan.
• Beat eggs in a small bowl until very thick. Add the sugar and the vanilla, beating well.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the whipping cream, mixing until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes.

COCONUT CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 9-inch diameter cake pans with 2-inch high sides.
• Pour the flour, baking powder, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Use a whisk to stir together. This will get rid of any lumps and pseudo-sift the ingredients. In a separate large bowl, beat the sugar, butter and sweetened cream of coconut until fluffy and it resembles whipped cream, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir to incorporate all the ingredients. With the mixer on low speed, beat in 1/2 the dry ingredients, followed by the buttermilk, and the remaining dry ingredients, scraping down the sides in between each addition, just until blended.
• Using clean, dry beaters, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt in another clean large bowl until the egg whites are stiff but not dry. Cook's Note: You want to get the most volume from your egg whites, that's why it is essential that the beaters and bowl are clean. Just to be safe, I like to wipe the bowl out with a dash of vinegar, white or apple cider is best. The vinegar cuts through any fat in the bowl leaving only a sparkling bowl behind. And don't worry, you won't be able to taste the vinegar-I promise!
• In batches, fold the beaten egg whites into the batter, being careful not to deflate the whites. Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Spread the batter with an offset spatula to level the batter in the pan. Bake the cakes until a tester inserted into center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool the cakes in the pans on a wire rack, about 10 minutes. Gently run a small sharp knife around the pan sides to loosen the cakes. Cook's Note: As the cakes cool they will shrink slightly, pulling away from the sides of the pan. By running the knife around the sides of the pan you are helping in the process by taking away any resistance. Turn the cakes out onto the racks and cool completely.
• With a pastry brush, gently brush any crumbs from the cooled cake layers. If the cake baked up with a slight dome in the center, you can trim it to even it out or just remember to place that cake layer dome-side down on the cake plate. Place 1 cake layer, flat-side up, on a cake plate. Spread 1 heaping cup Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting over the cake layer, leaving a 1/2-inch border of cake around the edge. This will give the filling a place to go or spread when the second cake layer is placed on top-you don't want it to bulge out the sides!
• Sprinkle 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut mix over the frosting. Top with the second cake layer, flat-side up. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. For a retro look, I like swoopy swirls. The best way to achieve it is to spread the frosting using the back of a spoon. It's that easy!
• Sprinkle the remaining coconut mix over the cake, gently pressing into the sides to adhere. Coconut Layer Cake can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the butter and beat until smooth. Add the sugar, sweetened cream of coconut, vanilla extract and pinch of sea salt and beat until well blended, scraping down the sides as needed, for about 3 more minutes. Cook's Note: For a tropical twist, I add just a splash of fresh lime juice and a dash of finely grated lime zest to the mix!

COOKIES & CREAM PARTY CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line two 20cm cake tins with baking parchment - if your cake tins are quite shallow, line the sides to a depth of at least 5cm. Put 200g flour, 8 tbsp cocoa powder, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 280g light brown soft sugar and 1 tsp salt in a bowl and mix well. If there are any lumps in the sugar, squeeze these through your fingers to break them up.
• Measure 200ml buttermilk, 100ml coffee, 150ml oil and 2 tsp vanilla in a jug. Add 2 eggs and whisk until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until well combined. Pour the cake mixture evenly into the two tins, and bake for 25-30 mins until risen and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the tins for 10 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack, peel off the baking parchment and leave to cool.
• Repeat steps 1 and 2, so that you have 4 sponge cakes in total. These sponges can be made up to three days ahead and will stay moist if wrapped in cling film, or you can wrap well and freeze for up to two months.
• To make the icing, put the butter in a large bowl and sieve in half the icing sugar. Roughly mash together with a spatula, then whizz with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the cream cheese and sieve in the remaining icing sugar, mash together again, then blend once more with the hand mixer. Put the Oreos in a food processor and whizz to fine crumbs. Add the biscuit crumbs to the icing and mix again until combined.
• Next, make the cookie cake toppers. You'll need one Oreo for each letter of the word you'd like to write - someone's name or, like we have done, 'WOW!' Carefully insert a skewer into the creamy filling in the middle of each Oreo - some cookies may break, so save these ones for later. Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 20 secs or so, or in a heatproof bowl suspended over a pan of gently simmering water. Spread a little chocolate over the surface of one side of each cookie. Roll out the fondant icing to the thickness of a 50p coin, and cut out your letters, then stick these to the cookies and set aside to dry. Alternatively, let the chocolate dry, then use an icing pen to write the name or word directly on the surface.
• To assemble the cake, stick one of your sponges to a cake stand or board with a little of the cream cheese icing. Use roughly half the icing to stack the remaining cakes on top, spreading a generous amount between each layer. Pile the remaining icing on top of the assembled cake, and use a palette knife to ease it over the edges, covering the entire surface of the cake. Tidy the plate with a piece of kitchen paper.
• If you have any leftover Oreos, break them into pieces and push these around the base of the cake. Insert the dried cookie cake toppers into the top of the cake and serve. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days, but bring back to room temperature for an hour or so before eating.

STRAWBERRY CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• FOR THE CAKE:.
• Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees.
• Grease and flour round 9 by 2-inch cake pan (pan must be at least 2" high!) or 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and all but 3 tablespoons sugar in mixing bowl.
• Whisk in 2 whole eggs and 3 yolks (reserving whites), butter, water, and vanilla; whisk until smooth.
• In clean bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat remaining 3 egg whites at medium-low speed until frothy, 1 to 2 minutes.
• With machine running, gradually add remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, increase speed to medium-high, and beat until soft peaks form, 60 to 90 seconds.
• Stir one-third of whites into batter to lighten; add remaining whites and gently fold into batter until no white streaks remain.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Cool in pan 10 minutes, then invert cake onto greased wire rack; peel off and discard parchment.
• Invert cake again; cool completely, about 2 hours.
• FOR THE STRAWBERRY FILLING:
• Halve 24 of best-looking berries and reserve.
• Quarter remaining berries; toss with 4 to 6 tablespoons sugar (depending on sweetness of berries) in medium bowl and let sit 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Strain juices from berries and reserve (you should have about 1/2 cup).
• In workbowl of food processor fitted with metal blade, give macerated berries five 1-second pulses (you should have about 1 1/2 cups).
• In small saucepan over medium-high heat, simmer reserved juices and Kirsch until syrupy and reduced to about 3 tablespoons, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Pour reduced syrup over macerated berries, add pinch of salt, and toss to combine.
• Set aside until cake is cooled.
• FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM:.
• When cake has cooled, place cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt in bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment.
• Whisk at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down bowl with rubber spatula as needed.
• Reduce speed to low and add heavy cream in slow, steady stream; when almost fully combined, increase speed to medium-high and beat until mixture holds stiff peaks, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes more, scraping bowl as needed (you should have about 4 1/2 cups).
• TO ASSEMBLE THE CAKE:
• Using large serrated knife, slice cake into three even layers.
• Place bottom layer on cardboard round or cake plate and arrange ring of 20 strawberry halves, cut sides down and stem ends facing out, around perimeter of cake layer.
• Pour 1/2 of pureed berry mixture (about 3/4 cup) in center, then spread to cover any exposed cake.
• Gently spread about one-third of whipped cream (about 1 1/2 cups) over berry layer, leaving 1/2-inch border from edge.
• Place middle cake layer on top and press down gently (whipped cream layer should become flush with cake edge).
• Repeat with 20 additional strawberry halves, remaining berry mixture, and half of remaining whipped cream; gently press last cake layer on top.
• Spread remaining whipped cream over top; decorate with remaining cut strawberries.
• Serve, or chill for up to 4 hours.

LEMON CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In large mixing bowl, blend cream cheese and shortening until creamy.
• Beat in 1 1/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
• Add lemon peel, flour, baking powder, salt and milk.
• Blend at low speed just until thoroughly blended, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Pour batter into generously greased 10-inch Bundt or tube pan.
• Bake 45-50 minutes .
• Combine lemon joice and 1/3 cup sugar.
• Pour over hot cake, allowing it to run down edges between cake and pan.
• Cool 30 minutes, then remove cake from pan.
• If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

LEMON CREAM CAKE (OLIVE GARDEN)

Steps:

• Combine cake mix, water, oil, egg whites, lemon juice and lemon zest. Follow directions on box. Pour into greased and floured spring-form pan. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. Cool.
• For filling, mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Whip cream until stiff peaks form. Combine by hand with cream cheese mixture.
• For crumb topping, combine flour and powdered sugar, cut in butter, vanilla, and lemon juice (pastry blender or food processor).
• Slice cooled cake in half. Drizzle lemon juice on each cut side. Spread half of the cream mixture on bottom half of cake, put cake top on and spread the remaining cream on top and sides. Sprinkle crumb topping on top and pat on the sides.

COOKIES-AND-CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Make the frosting: Put the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until smooth; let cool slightly. Beat the butter, vanilla and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the melted white chocolate and beat until combined. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth.
• Assemble the cake: Place 1 cake layer on a platter; spread 1 cup frosting on top and sprinkle with 1/2 cup chopped cookies. Top with the second cake layer. Cover the whole cake with the remaining frosting, then press the remaining cookies into the sides.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust the pans with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk 3 cups flour, the baking powder and salt in a bowl until combined. Beat 2 sticks butter and the sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to medium; beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. (The mixture may look separated at this point.)
• Mix 1/2 cup water with the cream in a liquid measuring cup or bowl. Beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the cream mixture, beginning and ending with flour, until just smooth.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes are lightly golden on top and the centers spring back when pressed, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pans and turn the cakes out onto the racks to cool completely. Remove the parchment. Trim the tops of the cakes with a long serrated knife to make them level, if desired.

SOUR CREAM BANANA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Combine butter and 1 cup sugar in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in bananas, vanilla and sour cream.
• Sift flour and next 3 ingredients together in a bowl. Fold into butter mixture until just blended.
• Combine nuts, cinnamon and remaining granulated sugar in another bowl. Sprinkle half of nut mixture into a buttered and floured tube or bundt pan. Add half the batter. Sprinkle with remaining nut mixture and cover with remaining batter.
• Bake 45-50 minutes until a tester comes out clean when inserted in center. Invert pan and cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

ITALIAN CREAM CAKE (OLD FAMILY RECIPE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• For cake: Cream butter, shortening and sugar.
• Add egg yolk one at a time, beating after each addition (this is an important step!) Stir in baking soda and buttermilk.
• Add sifted flour into batter, alternating with the buttermilk mixture.
• Add vanilla, coconut and chopped pecans.
• Beat egg whites and fold into batter.
• Pour into a greased and floured 9X 13-inch cake pan for a sheet cake, or two 9-inch round cake pans for a round layered cake.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until cake tests done.
• Remove from oven, cool completely before frosting.
• For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter.
• Add vanilla, powdered sugar, and pecans.
• Continue to beat until you get a spreading consistency.

BAILEY'S IRISH CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Cake: Sift dry ingredients together.
• Beat egg, oil, buttermilk, liqueur, coffee together.
• Add to the dry ingredients; beat together for about 3 minutes.
• Pour into greased/floured 10" springform pan or 9x13 pan.
• Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutues for the springform or 25 to 30 minutes for the 9x13- or until done.
• Cool.
• Frosting: beat ingredients together until stiff.
• Turn cake out onto a plate and frost with whipped cream mixture.
• Sprinkle with chocolate curls.

SOUR CREAM STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch cake pan* with nonstick spray or rub with butter.
• Make the streusel: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cup flour, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons cinnamon.
• Melt 1 cup butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Pour into the larger bowl and stir the butter into the flour. You should end up with a bowl of what looks like wet sand, with lots of big chunks. Don't try to smooth it out. See photo.
• For the cake: In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together 2 and 1/4 cups flour, 1 and 1/4 cups sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt.
• Chop 3/4 cup softened butter into chunks. You want the butter to sit out of the fridge for several minutes to that it's not rock-hard, but don't let it soften so much that it's completely creamy.
• Add the chopped butter and 1/2 cup sour cream to the flour mixture. Use the paddle attachment (or electic beaters) to blend the butter in. Eventually the butter will moisten the flour and it will all come together in a ball. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary. Don't over mix, just beat until all the butter is incorporated.
• In another large bowl, whisk together 4 eggs, 1 cup sour cream, and 1 tablespoon vanilla. Beat well until the eggs are well blended.
• Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture in 3 additions, beating for about 20 seconds after each one. Once all the egg mixture is added, beat for another 1 minute until the batter is light and fluffy.
• Spread 2 cups of batter into the bottom of your prepared cake pan. Sprinkle 1 cup of streusel evenly over the top, breaking up any too-large pieces with your hands.
• Spread another 2 cups batter on top and spread it around as best you can.
• Add another 1 cup streusel on top.
• Add the rest of the batter and spread evenly.
• Evenly spread another 2 cups of streusel on top of the cake. Do NOT add all the remaining streusel! There will be some left over. Spread the remaining streusel on a baking sheet to dry out a little bit.
• Bake the cake at 350 for 25 minutes.
• Do this next part fast. Remove the cake from the oven and shut the oven door. Use your hands to sprinkle all the remaining streusel on top of the cake, focusing on any areas where the cake batter has puffed up from the center. Move quickly! Get the cake back in the oven as soon as you can, and keep the oven door shut as much as possible.
• Bake for another 20-25 minutes.* The total bake time for the cake should be about 45-50 minutes, depending on your oven and whether you use a glass or metal pan. Test the cake with a toothpick. It is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with no wet batter on it. The cake should not wobble around at all when you shake the pan.
• Let the cake cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes for cutting into it.
• Make the icing: In a medium bowl, beat 1/4 cup butter until smooth. (I actually did it by hand with a whisk. You can do this if your butter is ultra soft.)
• Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup milk, and 2 cups powdered sugar. Beat with a mixer or by hand until very smooth.
• Drizzle the icing over the cake. You can either drizzle it over the whole cake or drizzle each individual serving. I like to drizzle about half the icing over the whole cake, and then save the rest of drizzling over each serving.
• The cake is best served warm! Zap individual servings in the microwave for 10-20 seconds if you are serving after the cake has cooled.
• This cake will keep well covered on the counter for 2-3 days. After that, put it in the fridge.

ANGEL FOOD ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Tear angel food cake into pieces. Cover the bottom of a springform pan with a layer of torn angel food cake. Slice ice cream and place a layer on top of angel food cake layer. Repeat layers, pressing each layer down as you go.
• Freeze cake until solid, at least 1 hour.
• Remove from freezer just before serving. Remove outer part of pan, keeping the bottom intact, and slice cake.

CAKE AND ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Take ice cream out of freezer to soften. It should be easy to spread and not melted.
• Rip the angel food cake into chunks (about 2 inches). Place a layer of cake on the bottom of one 9 or 10 inch tube pan. Spread a layer of the softened ice cream on top. Repeat layers until cake and ice cream are gone.
• Put cake in freezer for at least 2 to 3 hours. When ready to serve remove cake from freezer and place cake onto a serving dish, removing pan.

WHIPPED CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the Oven:
• Twenty minutes or more before baking, set an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 375°F (350°F if using a dark pan).
• Mix the Dry Ingredients:
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt and then sift them together to make the mixture easier to incorporate.
• Mix the Liquid Ingredients:
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk beater, whip the cream, starting on low speed, gradually raising the speed to medium-high as it thickens, until stiff peaks form when the beater is raised.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and vanilla just until lightly combined.
• On medium-high speed, gradually beat the egg mixture into the whipped cream. The mixture will thicken into mayonnaise consistency (unless high-butterfat cream is used). Gradually beat in the sugar. It should take about 30 seconds to incorporate it.
• Make the Batter:
• Detach the bowl and whisk beater from the stand. Add half the flour mixture to the cream mixture and, with the whisk attachment stir and fold in the flour until most of it disappears. Add the rest of the flour mixture and continue folding and mixing until all traces of flour have disappeared. Using a silicone spatula or spoon, scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Run a small metal spatula or dull knife blade through the batter to prevent large air bubbles, avoiding the bottom of the pan. Smooth the surface evenly with a small metal spatula.
• Bake the Cake:
• Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted between the tube and the side comes out completely clean and the cake springs back when pressed lightly in the center. The cake should start to shrink from the sides of the pan only after removal from the oven.
• Cool and Unmold the Cake:
• Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. With a small metal spatula, loosen the top edges of the cake and invert the cake onto a wire rack that has been coated lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Cool completely. The cake requires no adornment, but I love to serve it with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a large dollop of lightly sweetened Whipped Cream.

SOUR CREAM POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a coated 10- to 14-cup Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour, making sure to coat all the details of the pan. Invert the pan and shake out any excess.
• Add the butter to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the granulated sugar and beat on medium-high speed until very light and fluffy, about 4 minutes more. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add the sour cream and vanilla and mix on medium speed until incorporated.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add to the butter mixture in 2 parts and mix on low speed until just incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, using a rubber spatula to smooth the top into an even layer.
• Bake until golden brown and crackly on the surface and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out almost clean with just a few crumbs, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Invert onto a cooling rack and cool completely before removing the pan. The cake will contract while it cools, making it easier to remove.
• Sprinkle the cake with confectioners' sugar. Top each slice with fresh berries if using.

BEST ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Reserve 8 chocolate sandwich cookies and place the remainder in the bowl of a food processor. Process until finely ground, about 1 minute. Drizzle in the butter then process the mixture until it is combined. Transfer to an 8-inch springform pan. Using a flat bottomed glass, press the crust firmly into the bottom of the pan and up the sides. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, remove 2 pints of chocolate-chocolate chip ice cream from the freezer and let it sit out until slightly softened, about 20 minutes. Scoop the softened ice cream into the crust. Press down with the back of a spoon to push out as many air bubbles as possible and smooth it into a flat layer. Place in the freezer for 2 hours.
• Dollop spoon-fulls of fudge all over the ice cream, then spread it with a spatula, leaving a ½-inch border around the edge. Take the remaining 8 oreos and break them apart into small pieces. Sprinkle them all over the fudge and press gently. Return the cake to the freezer for 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, remove 2 pints of coffee ice cream from the freezer and let it sit out until slightly softened, about 20 minutes. Scoop the softened ice cream all over the cookie layer. Press down with the back of a spoon to push out as many air bubbles as possible and smooth it into a flat layer. Place in the freezer for 2 hours.
• Dollop spoon-fulls of caramel sauce all over the ice cream, then spread it with a spatula, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the cake. Sprinkle the toffee pieces all over and press them gently into the caramel. Return to the freezer for 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, remove 2 pints of vanilla-chocolate chip ice cream from the freezer and let it sit out until slightly softened, about 20 minutes. Line the inside of an 8" cake pan with a piece of plastic wrap, making the bottom as smooth as possible and making sure that it comes up the sides. Scoop the softened ice cream into the base of the cake pan. Press down with the back of a spoon to push out as many air bubbles as possible and smooth it into a flat layer. Place in the freezer for 2 hours.
• Remove the cake from the freezer. Open the springform pan lever and remove it from the sides of the cake.
• Remove the vanilla- chocolate chip ice cream layer from the freezer. Pull up on the plastic to pull it out of the cake pan, and turn it, ice cream side down, on top of the caramel and toffee layer. Press this layer into the top of the cake and return the whole thing to the freezer for at least 2 more hours before serving. (Cover with more plastic wrap, if freezing for longer than 2 hours, like overnight).
• Remove the cake from the freezer. Pour 1 cup of magic shell into the center of the cake and push it over the sides of the cake so that it drizzles down the sides. Dollop cool whip on the cake and top with maraschino cherries. Slice and serve immediately!

COOKIES & CREAM FRIDGE CAKE

Steps:

• Oil a 20cm loose-bottomed or springform cake tin and line with baking parchment, ensuring the inside of the tin is fully covered. Whisk the cream, mascarpone, vanilla and icing sugar together in a large bowl until smooth and holding soft peaks.
• Line the base of the tin with a single layer of the cookies, (don't worry if there are small gaps, as these will be filled with the cream mixture). Spoon over a third of the cream mixture and smooth with a spatula, spreading it to the edge. Repeat twice with the rest of the cookies and the cream mixture. Cover and chill for at least 24 hrs, or up to two days.
• Melt the chocolate in 20-second bursts in the microwave, or in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the base of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Leave to cool for 10 mins. Unwrap the cake, remove it from the tin and peel off the parchment. Drizzle over the melted chocolate, letting it drip down the sides, and crumble over the extra cookies. Serve, or chill for up to 1 hr.

ITALIAN CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• For Cake: HEAT oven to 350 degrees F. Spray three 9-inch round cake pans with no-stick cooking spray with flour. Beat shortening in large bowl at medium speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time; beat until blended after each addition. Add vanilla; beat until blended.
• COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt; stir well. Add to shortening mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in coconut and pecans.
• BEAT egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Pour batter into prepared baking pans. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.
• For Frosting: MIX cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and butter in large bowl at low speed of electric mixer until ingredients are well combined. Beat at high speed until light and fluffy. Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish top of cake, if desired, with coconut and pecans and sprinkle coconut around bottom of cake. Chill several hours or until serving time.

BANANA CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the banana cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt into a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Add the bananas to the butter mixture and mix until combined. Let the mixer do the work of mashing for you. Add the eggs one at a time and mix until well combined. Mix in the yogurt and vanilla. Turn the mixer to low and add the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake until a cake tester or toothpick comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes, then turn onto a wire rack and cool completely.
• For the cream cheese frosting: Using the electric mixer on high speed, blend the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. With the mixer on low, add the confectioners' sugar and then the vanilla.
• Spread the frosting on top of the cake. Decorate around the perimeter of the cake with raspberries, if desired.