Elsies Fair Prize Winning Angel Food Cake

PRIZE WINNING ALMOND BUNDT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F; grease and flour a bundt pan.
• Beat sugar, egg, almond extract, milk and softened butter together.
• Gradually add flour, baking powder and cinnamon.
• In bottom of greased bundt pan, sprinkle almonds and raw sugar to make a nice crunchy topping.
• Pour cake batter over almonds/sugar.
• Bake for 50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from center of cake.
• Cool for 15-20 minutes, then remove from pan.
• Cool on wire rack.
• Serve warm or cooled - your preference.

ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Adjust the oven rack to the lower middle position and preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
• In a food processor or blender, pulse the sugar until fine and powdery. Remove 1 cup and set aside to use in step 3; keep the rest inside the food processor. Add the cake flour and salt to the food processor. Pulse 5-10 times until sugar/flour/salt mixture is aerated and light.
• In a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip egg whites and cream of tartar together on medium-low until foamy, about 1 minute. Switch to medium-high and slowly add the 1 cup of sugar you set aside. Whip until soft peaks form, about 5-6 minutes. See photo and video above for a visual. Add the vanilla extract, then beat just until incorporated.
• In 3 additions, slowly sift the flour mixture into the egg white mixture using a fine mesh strainer, gently folding with a rubber spatula after each addition. To avoid deflating or a dense cake, don't add the flour mixture all at once. Sift and very slowly fold in several additions. This is important! Pour and spread batter into an ungreased 9 or 10 inch tube pan. Shimmy the pan on the counter to smooth down the surface.
• Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through baking. The cake will rise up very tall while baking. Remove from the oven, then cool the cake completely upside-down set on a wire rack, about 3 hours. (Upside-down so the bottom of the tube pan is right-side up, see photo and video above.) Once cooled, run a thin knife around the edges and gently tap the pan on the counter until the cake releases.
• If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar. Slice the cake with a sharp serrated knife. Regular knives can easily squish the cake. Serve with whipped cream and fresh berries.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

ELSIE'S FAIR PRIZE WINNING ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• OK FOLLOW THIS EXACTLY. She doesn't say but prepare the Angel Food pan in the normal manner.
• NOTE: Sift the flour and the sugar together five time.
• Put the whites, salt in a bowl and beat on number eight until foamy then add the tartar and beat on number 8 until stiff and stand in peaks, that is about 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. DO NOT OVER BEAT UNTIL DRY.
• Sprinkle in gradually: the granulated sugar while beating on number seven speed. Beat only until sugar is blended, about 1 1/3 minutes then turn to number one speed and add the vanilla and almond extracts.
• Sprinkle the sifted flour and sugar. Mix evenly and quickly. Beat only enough to blend for about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Pour into pan. Cut thru the batter with a knife three times.
• Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.
• Remove from oven and cool in pan upside down for about 1 hour.

GREEN ANGEL CAKE WITH FLUFFY FRUIT FLAVOR FROSTING

Steps:

• Prepare cake mix as directed on package, folding gelatin into 1/3 of the batter.
• Alternately spoon batters into ungreased 10-inch tube pan.
• Zig zag knife through batters.
• Bake on lowest rack at 375° for 40-50 minutes until cake springs back when lightly pressed.
• Turn pan upside down over funnel or bottle to cool completely.
• Remove from pan.
• Frost and garnish with lime slices if desired.
• Chill Frosting: Dissolve 1 pkg lime Jello in 1 cup boiling water.
• Chill until slightly thickened; blend in 1 container whip cream thawed.

CHOCOLATE ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Sift flour, cocoa and 3/4 cup granulated sugar together 3 times; set aside.
• Beat egg whites at low speed in a large mixer bowl until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Add vanilla, cream of tartar and salt.
• Gradually increase speed to medium while beating in remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, 5 minutes.
• When sugar is incorporated, continue beating to stiff peaks, 2 minutes more.
• Sift one third of dry ingredients over whites; gently fold in with rubber spatula.
• Repeat process 2 more times.
• Pour batter into ungreased 10-inch tube pan.
• Cut through batter to remove air pockets.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until top springs back when gently pressed.
• Invert and hang pan on neck of bottle to cool.
• To unmold, run a thin knife around side of pan and tube; invert pan.
• Turn cake upright onto serving plate.
• Garnish with confectioners' sugar, if desired.

CHOCOLATE ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Place rack in center of oven and 15 minutes before baking, preheat to 375°.
• Divide sugar in half.
• Sift one half 3 times.
• Set aside.
• Sift the other half of sugar with the flour and cocoa 3 times.
• Set aside.
• Put egg whites in 4 quart grease-free bowl and beat on low speed with electric mixer until foamy.
• Add cream of tartar, vanilla and salt and increase speed to medium.
• Add the 3/4 cup sugar, one T at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Continue beating on medium until whites have increased their volume fivefold and hold their shape but are still shiny and moist.
• Gently and thoroughly fold in flour mixture, by thirds.
• Pour into ungreased 10" tube pan.
• Smooth the surface and cut through batter 5 or 6 times with a rubber spatula to break large air pockets.
• Bake 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Invert over a narrow-necked bottle and allow to cool.
• When completely cooled use a knife to loosen it from the side of the pan and turn out on wire rack.
• Drizzle Chocolate Glaze over top and allow to run down sides of cake.
• Chocolate Glaze: Combine chocolate, butter and water in bowl and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring once a minute until smooth.

MARTHA STEWART'S CHOCOLATE ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 with rack in the center.
• Sift together onto a piece of parchment paper, 3/4 cup sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
• Add grated chocolate; set aside.
• With electric mixer beat egg whites and cream of tarter until soft peaks form.
• While still beating add remaining 3/4 cup of sugar in a slow steady stream until glossy stiff peaks form.
• Add vanilla and almond extracts; beat to combine.
• Now using a regular mixing spoon, gradually add flour mixture, gently but thoroughly, folding into egg white mixture until fully combined.
• Pour into a 10 inch non-stick angel food cake pan.
• Tap pan on counter to remove any air bubbles.
• Bake until cake springs back when depressed with a finger, 30-35 minutes.
• Cool, inverted, 1 hour before removing pan.
• Serve with Chocolate Hazelnut Anglaise.

CHOCOLATE ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH MARSHMALLOW FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the angel food cake: Set the oven rack in bottom third of oven and preheat the oven to 350F.
• Sift 2/3 cup of the superfine sugar onto a piece of wax paper; set aside.
• Sift the remaining 1/3 cup superfine sugar with the cocoa powder, cake flour and salt; set aside.
• In the large bowl of a standing mixer, beat the egg whites at medium speed until foamy.
• Add the cream of tartar and beat until the foam is white and holds the lines of the beater.
• Increase the speed to medium-high and add the sifted, superfine sugar, 1 tblsp at a time, until completely incorporated.
• Beat for 30 seconds longer until soft peaks form.
• Remove the bowl from the mixer.
• Sift and fold the dry ingredients into the beaten whites, folding them in with a rubber spatula.
• Pour the batter into a 10-cup angel food cake pan or bundt pan and gently smooth the top without deflating the mixture.
• Bang the pan once (not too hard) on the counter to release any large air pockets.
• Bake for about 35 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.
• Invert the cake pan over a narrow-necked bottle.
• Let the cake cool completely in the pan, about 1 hour.
• Run a thin knife between the cake and sides and center tube of the pan to loosen (you may need to jiggle the pan to completely release the cake).
• Invert the cake onto a serving platter.
• Make the marshmallow frosting: Put the egg whites in the large bowl of a standing mixer.
• In a small saucepan, stir together the granulated sugar and 1/3 cup of water.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• When the sugar syrup comes to a boil, begin beating the egg whites (with clean beaters!) at medium-high speed.
• When they become foamy, add the cream of tartar and beat at medium speed until stiff peaks form.
• Insert a candy thermometer into the sugar syrup (be sure the bulb is completely submerged).
• Cook until the syrup reaches 242F.
• Remove from the heat.
• With the mixer still on, beat the sugar syrup into the egg whites in a slow stream until completely incorporated.
• Increase the speed to high and beat for 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl once with a rubber spatula.
• Add the vanilla and beat for 1 more minute.
• The frosting will still be a little warm.
• Frost the cake: Spread a thin layer of frosting all over the cake, including the inside of the center opening, to glue down the crumbs.
• Then coat the cake all over with the remaining frosting.
• Decorate the top of the cake with the chocolate shavings.
• To serve: Gently slice the cake with a serrated knife or an angel food comb.

STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Combine rhubarb and the juice of one orange (juice should equal at least 1/4 cup liquid- if additional liquid is needed, add water to make 1/4 cup).
• Add 1/2 cup sugar, cover and cook over medium heat until rhubarb is tender.
• Set aside 1/2 cup sliced strawberries.
• Stir remaining strawberries into rhubarb mixture.
• Stir in a few drops red food color for eye appeal.
• Cool.
• Mixture will begin to thicken slightly.
• Slice cake horizontally to make 3 layers.
• Spoon 1/2 the filling on bottom cake layer.
• Add second layer cake and spoon on remaining filling.
• Place top layer on cake.
• Chill cream well, whip until stiff.
• Set aside.
• Beat together ricotta cheese, 4 tablespoons sugar, and the grated peel of one orange.
• Beat until fluffy.
• Fold whipped cream into whipped ricotta cheese.
• Frost the sides and top of cake with whip cream mixture.
• Garnish with remaining strawberry slices and mint leaves.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Cake is best if served same day.

STRAWBERRY ANGEL CAKE

Steps:

• Combine strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl; cover and let stand 1 hour. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, milk, and cream cheese in a medium bowl; beat at medium speed of mixer til smooth.
• Cut cake horizontally into 3 layers using a serrated knife; place bottom layer, cut side up, on a serving plate. Brush with 1 tbsp liqueur (or orange juice), and spread half of cream cheese mixture over cake. Spoon one third of strawberries over cream cheese mixture using a slotted spoon. Repeat layers, ending with cake and liqueur (or orange juice). Spread whipped cream over top and sides of cake. Cover; chill 30 minutes.
• Arrange remaining strawberries on top of cake. Sprinkle with almonds, and serve.