Sparkling Cranberry White Chocolate Cake Recipe 45 Food

WHITE CHOCOLATE, ORANGE & CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Rub a little butter over the base and sides of two 20cm cake tins (use cake tins rather than sandwich tins as the higher sides work better), then line the base and sides with baking parchment. Melt 150g butter with 100g of the chocolate in a bowl set over a small saucepan of gently simmering water - make sure the base of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Stir the butter and chocolate every min or so until it has melted. Set aside to cool a little.
• Meanwhile, measure 250g flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp bicarb and 250g sugar in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle and add 150g yogurt, 2 tsp vanilla extract, half the orange zest and juice, 3 eggs and 2 tbsp milk. Whisk everything together, then stir in the melted butter and chocolate.
• When the cake mixture is smooth (this makes a very wet pourable batter), divide it equally between the two cake tins. Bake on the middle shelf for 25-30 mins, they will look golden and evenly risen when cooked. Check they are done by pushing a skewer into the centre of the cakes - it should come out clean. If there is any wet cake mixture on the skewer, return the cake to the oven for a few more mins, then check again.
• Leave the cakes to cool in their tins for 5 mins, then transfer to a cooling rack. Wash out the tins and repeat steps 1 and 2, to make two more sponges in total. You can make them a day or two before icing, then wrap them in a double layer of cling film once cool. They can also be frozen for up to two months.
• To make the compote, simmer the cranberries and sugar in a small pan for 4-5 mins until jammy, then leave to cool.
• For the icing, melt the chocolate, either in 20-30 secs bursts in a microwave or in a bowl over simmering water. Set aside to cool a little. Roughly mash the butter and icing sugar together, then beat until smooth with an electric whisk or mixer. Add the chocolate and cream cheese and beat again until smooth.
• To assemble the cake, place one sponge on a cake board the same size as the sponge, then sandwich the other sponges on top with a little icing and the cranberry compote. Use the cake with the neatest edge, flipped upside down, on top to give your cake a good shape.
• Pile about half the remaining icing on top of the cake and use a palette knife to spread it thinly over the top and down the sides of the cake. This is a crumb coat, it catches any crumbs, ensuring the final layer looks clean and professional. Chill the cake for 10-20 mins to firm up the icing or leave it somewhere cool for longer. Spread the remaining icing over the top and sides of the cakes, giving it nice sharp edges. We've left some of the cake exposed for the 'naked' cake look, or cover it completely if you like. Will keep for three days.
• To decorate the cake: dot the top with meringue kisses that you've either bought or made yourself, edible snowflake decorations and gold leaf, if you like.See our guide to decorating a Christmas cake 3 ways for details on this design along with more decorating ideas.

SPARKLING CRANBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup sugar and water to a simmer in a saucepan. Simmer until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour simple syrup into a heatproof bowl and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Add cranberries and stir to coat. Refrigerate cranberries in syrup overnight, stirred a couple times to coat with syrup. Remove cranberries from syrup and roll in remaining 1/2 cup of sugar. You'll need to roll them a few times to get a couple layers of sugar on them. Set cranberries aside to dry for a hour or so. CRANBERRY CAKE: Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare three 8 inch cake pans with baking spray and parchment paper in the bottom of the pans. Whisk together flour, sugar and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Add butter, eggs, vanilla extract, sour cream and milk and mix on medium speed just until smooth. Do not over mix. Gently stir in cranberries. Spread batter evenly between the three cake pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling. WHITE CHOCOLATE ICING: Place white chocolate chips in a metal bowl. Microwave heavy cream until it starts to boil. Remove from microwave and pour over chocolate chips. Cover bowl with saran wrap for 5 to 7 minutes. Whisk chocolate and cream until smooth. Allow ganache to sit until mostly cool. It should be thick.Beat the ganache with a mixer for about 2 to 3 minutes, until smooth and fluffy. Add butter and beat until it is fully combined. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until it is fluffy and the right consistency. Add more cream if needed. ASSEMBLY: Remove cake domes from cakes with a large serrated knife. Place first layer of cake on cake plate. Spread about icing on top in an even layer. Add second layer of cake and add more icing on top in an even layer. Add final layer of cake on top and ice the outside of the cake. Top the cake with sparkling cranberries and add some around the edge, if desired. NOTE: I think most cakes are best if they are allowed to settle for at least 12 to 24 hours after icing. It allows flavors to settle. This cake will stay moist for several days after being iced.

WHITE CHOCOLATE-CRANBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Chop 6 oz. chocolate. Combine flour and baking powder. Beat butter and sugars in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, orange zest and 3 Tbsp. orange juice; mix well. Gradually add flour, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chopped chocolate and cranberries.
• Pour into greased and floured 12-cup fluted tube pan or 10-inch tube pan.
• Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 min. or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 min. Remove from pan to wire rack; cool completely.
• Heat remaining chocolate and orange juice in saucepan on low heat until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Drizzle over cake; let stand until firm.