Dark Chocolate Cake With Coconut Peanut Butter Italian Buttercream Food

ITALIAN BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Place the egg whites and 1/3 cup of the sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until the egg whites reach the soft peak stage.
• Meanwhile, pour the remaining sugar and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and bring to the soft-ball stage, without stirring, 240 degrees F.
• The egg whites and syrup should be ready at about the same time. If one is ready before the other then you can remove the pan from the heat or stop whipping for a few minutes.
• Continue to whip the egg whites on medium-high speed and slowly drizzle in the hot syrup, aiming the syrup between the side of the bowl and the beaters. Continue to whip until both the bottom of the bowl and the mixture are cool, 10 to 15 minutes. The mixture should be thick and will form firm peaks at this point. Beat in the salt. At this point you have an Italian meringue.
• While still beating on medium-high, add the butter, a few pieces at a time. As the butter is added, the buttercream may appear to thin out some, but it will thicken into firm peaks once all of the butter is added. Beat in the vanilla extract. If the buttercream is still too loose, beat on high speed until thickened.
• Use right away or refrigerate in an airtight container overnight. The buttercream may need to be beaten slightly to smooth out before using.

COCONUT-SESAME BUTTER MOCHI CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch-square cake pan or 10-1/2-by-7-inch cake pan with butter.
• Put the 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until melted. Meanwhile, whisk the coconut milk to remove any lumps. Add the coconut milk to the melted butter and reduce the heat to low. Gently warm the mixture, stirring often, until just above room temperature and no lumps remain.
• Whisk together the mochiko, sugar, baking powder and sea salt in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the eggs, evaporated milk and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Add the melted butter-coconut milk mixture, whisking continuously, until fully incorporated and smooth with no lumps.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Evenly sprinkle the top with the coconut chips or flakes. Sprinkle with the black and white sesame seeds and finish with the fleur de sel.
• Bake the mochi until it is set and golden brown on top, 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes. You can bake the mochi longer for a firmer texture, or for less time for a gooier texture. If using a glass or dark metal pan, subtract a few minutes from your baking time.
• Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Coat a knife with butter and cut around the edges to help the cake separate from the pan and prevent the cake from sticking to the knife. Serve the cake directly from the pan.

DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE II

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, coffee, milk, oil and vinegar. Mix until smooth; the batter will be thin. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 3 - 9 inch round cake pans. In medium bowl, pour boiling water over cocoa, and whisk until smooth. Let mixture cool. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at time, then stir in vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the cocoa mixture. Spread batter evenly between the 3 prepared pans.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool.