Espresso Cakes With Pumpkin Filling And White Chocolate Curls Food

CHOCOLATE CAKE IN A PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350˚ F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut off the top one-quarter of the pumpkin; reserve. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and scrape the inside clean. Place the pumpkin on the prepared baking sheet.
• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder in a medium bowl. Combine the butter, brown sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring, until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, 3 minutes. Whisk in the chocolate until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat; whisk in the eggs, vanilla and scotch until smooth, then whisk in the flour mixture until combined.
• Pour the batter into the pumpkin, filling it about three-quarters of the way. Add the pumpkin top to the baking sheet, if desired (don't put it on top of the pumpkin). Bake until the cake is browned and rises slightly out of the opening of the pumpkin, about 1 hour. Reduce the oven temperature to 300˚ F and continue baking until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 50 more minutes. Let cool 3 to 4 hours before slicing.
• Meanwhile, make the butterscotch sauce: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and cook, stirring, until melted and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the heavy cream and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the pumpkin pie spice, salt, vanilla and scotch. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool slightly.
• Slice the cake into wedges, cutting through the pumpkin. Serve with vanilla ice cream and drizzle with the butterscotch sauce.

WHITE PUMPKIN CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 6 count "muffin" Bundt pan and a 12-count "brownie" Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. If you do not have bunt pans regular muffin pans can be used. Blend quick bread mix with water or apple cider, oil and eggs. Blend until smooth. Pour batter into pans. Bake until golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 12 to 14 minutes for "brownie" pan, 15 to 18 minutes for "muffin" pan. Transfer to a rack and cool completely. ;
• For the icing: In a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, the orange liquor and blend with a whisk until smooth. Transfer icing to a large re-sealable plastic bag and snip the corner of the bag off with a pair of scissors. Drizzle the icing over each cake and sprinkle with sanding sugar.

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, then line with parchment paper and butter the parchment. Set aside.
• Using an electric mixer, beat together the brown sugar and butter in a mixing bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat on high speed until light and fluffy.
• In a small bowl, combine the instant espresso with just enough water to make a paste (approximately 1/4 cup); stir until the espresso has dissolved. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
• Turn the mixer to low speed and add the flour mixture in parts, alternating with the sour cream. Mix in the dissolved espresso. Stir in 1 cup boiling water until just blended. Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then turn them out onto racks and allow to cool completely.
• For the vanilla buttercream: Beat the butter and shortening with an electric mixer until fluffy, then slowly add the vanilla. Add in the confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time, then turn the mixer to medium-high speed and beat for 5 minutes more.
• To assemble: Level off the top of each cake layer with a serrated knife. Smear about 1 tablespoon buttercream on a cake plate to help secure the cake, then top with one of the cake layers. Add approximately 1 cup buttercream and spread it evenly around the top. Add a second cake layer and another cup of buttercream, again spreading all around to cover the top of the cake. Add the final cake layer. Working with small amounts of buttercream, cover the sides and top of the cake. Add interesting patterns with buttercream combs, or texture the outer part with a spatula. Serve immediately or cover to keep fresh.

CHOCOLATE CURLS

Steps:

• Place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl with the vegetable shortening. Throw it in the microwave until the shortening is melted and hot, 30 to 45 seconds. Stir with a fork to combine thoroughly.
• Next, pour the melted chocolate over the underside of a clean cookie sheet. Then, with an offset spatula or a knife, spread the chocolate in a thin layer. Keep going until it's very, very thin. Then...and this is the key...stick it in the freezer for a few minutes.
• After a few minutes, check that the chocolate is ready by pressing it with your finger tip; it should leave the slightest mark, but not an actual depression.
• Next, get a somewhat sharp-edged spatula and begin to scrape the chocolate from the bottom of the pan. When the chocolate is just the right temperature, it'll curl instead of break. If it gets too soft, stick it back in the freezer for a minute.
• Pretty soon you'll have a bunch of fun little chocolate curls.
• Important: As soon as possible, transfer the curls to a cold pan or plate, and then stick them in the freezer to harden. Store in the freezer in a zip-top bag until you need them. Use them to adorn pies, cakes or platters of fruit. You'll feel instantly fancy!