Majestic Pecan Cake Food

MAPLE, APPLE & PECAN CAKE

Steps:

• To make the apple purée, cook 250g peeled and chopped cooking apples with a splash of water in a pan with a lid until soft for about 10 mins. Purée with a hand blender or in the small bowl of a food processor.
• Butter and line the base of a 20cm springform cake tin with parchment. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix the maple syrup and egg together and gradually add them. Sift the flour with the bicarb and baking powder. Add a good pinch of salt and the nuts. With a large metal spoon, fold the flour into the butter and sugar, alternating with the apple purée. Scrape the batter into the prepared tin. Bake for 40 mins, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the tin, then turn out onto a rack and peel off the baking parchment.
• To make the buttercream, beat the butter until soft, then add the icing sugar and beat until smooth. Gradually add the maple syrup, beating as you do so. Slice the cooled cake in half then, using a spatula, spread half of the icing over the first layer. Add the other layer on top, then top with the rest of the buttercream. Pulse the pecans in a food processor with the brown sugar (or finely chop and mix). You should end up with a coarse mixture. Scatter this over the top of the cake.

BUTTER PECAN CAKE

Steps:

• Pour melted butter in a baking pan. Stir in pecans. Toast at 350° for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool. , In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Stir in vanilla and 1 cup toasted pecans. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 8-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. , Meanwhile, for frosting, cream butter and sugar. Add milk and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy. Add additional milk if needed. Stir in remaining toasted pecans. Spread between the layers and over the top and sides of the cake.

PECAN ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Sift flour twice; set aside. Add cream of tartar and vanilla to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form. Gradually fold in flour, about 1/4 cup at a time. Fold in pecans., Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on the lowest oven rack at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned and entire top appears dry., Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour. Run a knife around side and center tube of pan; remove cake. Serve with whipped cream if desired.