Minted Angel Food Cake

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.

MINT ANGEL CAKE

Steps:

• Let egg whites stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Sift flour twice; set aside., Preheat oven to 350°. Add cream of tartar, almond extract and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold in flour, about 1/2 cup at a time., Gently spoon mixture into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake on lowest oven rack until lightly browned and entire top appears dry, 40-50 minutes. Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour., In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup crushed candies and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until candies are melted and syrupy. In a large bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form., Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving platter; cut horizontally into 3 layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; brush with 2 tablespoons mint syrup. Spread with 1/2 cup whipped cream; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon crushed candies. Repeat layers., Top with third cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining whipped cream. Top with remaining candies. Store in refrigerator.

MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Move oven rack to lowest position (remove other racks). Heat oven to 350°F. In extra-large glass or metal bowl, beat cake mix, cocoa and water with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 1 minute. Pour into ungreased 10-inch angel food (tube) cake pan. (Do not use fluted tube cake pan or 9-inch angel food pan or batter will overflow.)
• Bake 37 to 47 minutes or until top is dark golden brown and cracks feel very dry and not sticky. Do not underbake. Immediately turn pan upside down onto glass bottle until cake is completely cool, about 2 hours.
• Run knife around side of pan to loosen cake; remove from pan. Cut off top of cake about 1 inch from top; set aside. Cut down into cake 1 inch from outer edge and 1 inch from edge of center hole, leaving substantial "walls" on each side. Remove cake within cuts with curved knife or spoon, being careful to leave a base of cake 1 inch thick. Spoon ice cream into cake cavity; smooth top. Replace top of cake. Cover and freeze about 3 hours or until firm. Serve with chocolate-flavor sauce.

MINTED ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare angel food cake according to package directions, adding creme de menthe to the mixture. Cut angel food cake in 1/2. Scoop out the bottom half of the shell, leaving a 1 inch shell. Mix vanilla pudding, 1/2 of cool whip and mint extract together. Pour mixture into the bottom 1/2 of the angel food cake. Replace the top half of the cake on top. Mix remaining cool whip and creme de menthe together. Frost cake with mixture. Chill 1 hour. Serve.

ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES AND MINT

Steps:

• Remove angel food cake from container and set on a plate. With a serrated knife, carefully remove the top of the cake by slicing horizontally 1/2-inch down from the top. Set top aside.
• Hollow out the center of the cake. If cake already has a hollow center ring, make a canal around center hole by carefully cutting and removing a 1-inch deep trench around the entire cake. Be careful not to tear the inside or outside walls. Place the removed pieces of cake in a medium bowl.
• Pick out 1 strawberry to use as garnish (the best looking one) and set aside. To the bowl with the cake pieces, add the remaining strawberries, chopped mint, orange liqueur, and 1/2 cup of the whipped topping. Fold until combined.
• Fill cake, both the well and the center, with the strawberry mixture. Replace the top of the cake that had been set aside.
• To the remaining whipped topping, add a few drops of orange extract and combine thoroughly. This will remove the store-bought taste. Frost the cake with remaining whipped topping and garnish with fresh mint leaves. Top with reserved strawberry.
• Chill cake for 4 hours before serving.

ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Sift confectioners' sugar and flour together twice; set aside. , Add the cream of tartar, extracts and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add granulated sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Gradually fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time., Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through the 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 to a serving plate.

APPLE-SPICE ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine cake mix and water. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Fold in the applesauce, pecans and pie spice., 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 35-45 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 to a serving plate. Garnish with whipped topping and/or apple slices if desired.