New Years Orange And Brandy Cake Recipe Epicuriouscom Food

GREEK NEW YEAR'S ORANGE AND BRANDY CAKE (VASSILOPITA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 F, and grease a 10" round cake pan.
• Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until creamy (about 3 min). Add butter and beat an additional minute. Beat in orange juice and brandy.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, baking soda and zests. Add the dry ingredients to the yolk mixture, and stir until thoroughly mixed.
• Clean the beaters, and beat the egg whites in a clean bowl until soft peaks form. Fold them gently into the batter. Pour the batter into the cake pan and shake gently to even the top. Decorate the top with almonds (if making for the new year, write the year with the almonds).
• Bake for about an hour, or until golden brown on top, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool before removing from the pan.

NEW YEAR'S ORANGE AND BRANDY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 10-inch round cake pan.
• In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until light yellow and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the butter or butter and margarine and beat for 1 minute more. Beat in the orange juice and brandy.
• Whisk together the flour with the baking powder, baking soda and the zests in another large bowl. Add to the yolk mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until incorporated.
• In a large clean bowl, with clean beaters, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Fold them into the batter. Pour the batter into the pan and shake gently to even the top. Decorate the top with almonds.
• Bake the cake for about 1 hour, or until it is golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack before removing from the pan and serving.

CHRISTMAS CAKE

Steps:

• Place both raisins, currants, dates and almonds in a large bowl. Add the brandy, mix to combine and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to soak in a cool dark place overnight, mixing occasionally.
• Preheat oven to 140°C (275°F). Line a 20cm (8-inch) square cake tin with 2 layers of non-stick baking paper. Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium speed for 8 minutes or until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Set aside.
• Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and allspice to the soaked fruit and mix well, ensuring the fruit is evenly coated with flour. Add the butter mixture and stir until well combined. Spoon into the tin and smooth the top. Bake for 2 hours or until cooked when tested with a skewer.
• Spoon over the extra brandy while the cake is still warm. Allow to cool completely in the tin, before turning out onto a cake stand or plate to serve.
• Keep this cake in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 2 months.

MAJESTIC AND MOIST NEW YEAR'S HONEY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease the pan(s). For tube and angel food pans, line the bottom with lightly greased parchment paper. For gift honey cakes, I use "cake collars" (available from Sweet Celebrations) designed to fit a specific loaf pan. These give the cakes an appealing, professional look.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Make a well in the center and add the oil, honey, sugars, eggs, vanilla, coffee, orange juice, and rye or whisky.
• Using a strong wire whisk or an electric mixer on slow speed, combine the ingredients well to make a thick batter, making sure that no ingredients are stuck to the bottom of the bowl.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared pan(s) and sprinkle the top of the cake(s) evenly with the almonds. Place the cake pan(s) on 2 baking sheets stacked together and bake until the cake springs back when you touch it gently in the center. For angel and tube cake pans, bake for 60 to 70 minutes; loaf cakes, 45 to 55 minutes. For sheet-style cakes, the baking time is 40 to 45 minutes. This is a liquidy batter and, depending on your oven, it may need extra time. Cake should spring back when gently pressed.
• Let the cake stand for 15 minutes before removing it from the pan. Then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely.