Rosemary Pineapple Cake Food

PINEAPPLE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Cut off the top of the pineapple and set aside. Peel the pineapple and finely chop 1/2 cup for the cake.
• Generously coat one 6-inch round cake pan and two 1-quart ovenproof bowls with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mix as directed; stir in the diced pineapple.
• Divide the batter among the pan and bowls. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 25 minutes for the pan and 35 minutes for the bowls. Let cool, then unmold.
• Trim the domed tops of all three cakes with a long serrated knife to make them level.
• Put one bowl cake, wide-side up, on a small cardboard circle. Top with a layer of frosting, then add the round cake, more frosting and the other bowl cake, wide-side down.
• Tint the remaining frosting yellow with food coloring. Spread all over the outside of the cake in a thin layer, reserving about 1/2 cup.
• Cover the cake with the yellow candy melts, arranging them side by side and staggered; leave an opening at the top for the leaves.
• Dip the back of a small spoon in the reserved yellow frosting and dab on the upper part of each candy melt to make a small point.
• Trim the base of the pineapple leaves, then carefully place on the cake.

ROSEMARY-THYME ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH PINEAPPLE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Sift the cake flour, 3/4 cup superfine sugar and the salt onto a piece of parchment paper. Sift the flour mixture a second time onto another piece of parchment; set aside. Beat the egg whites in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until frothy, about 1 minute. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form, about 4 more minutes. Gradually beat in the remaining 1 cup superfine sugar; increase the speed to high and beat until the egg whites are stiff and glossy, about 7 minutes. Beat in the vanilla, rosemary, thyme and lemon zest.
• Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the flour mixture, 1/4 cup at a time, until fully incorporated with no pockets of dry ingredients. Transfer the batter to an ungreased 10-inch angel food cake pan. Bake until golden and the cake springs back when pressed, 40 to 45 minutes. Invert the cake pan onto a small funnel or bottle neck and let cool completely, at least 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the compote: Combine the brown sugar, rum, 1/2 cup water and the rosemary and thyme sprigs in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; simmer, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Add the pineapple, return to a gentle simmer and cook until the pineapple is softened and the liquid is syrupy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the vanilla. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until cool, about 1 hour. Remove the herb sprigs.
• Loosen the edge of the cake with a knife, tap the sides of the pan against the counter and unmold the cake onto a platter. Slice and serve with the compote.

TWO-INGREDIENT PINEAPPLE ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• In large bowl, beat dry angel food cake mix and crushed pineapple on low speed 30 seconds; beat on medium speed 1 minute. Pour into ungreased 10-inch tube pan.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until deep golden brown. Cool completely upside down as directed on cake mix box, about 2 hours. Run knife around edges; turn cooled cake out onto serving plate. Use serrated knife to cut into slices. Store covered in refrigerator.