Sponge Layer Cake Food

LEMON SPONGE VERTICAL LAYER CAKE WITH RASPBERRY BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For the sponge cake: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease the bottom of a rimmed half-sheet pan (18 by 13 inches) and line the bottom only with parchment. Grease the parchment.
• Heat the cream in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave until steaming, about 1 minute. Add to a large mixing bowl and whisk in the flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk until smooth. add in the 10 egg yolks, vanilla extract, lemon extract and lemon zest, whisking until completely smooth. Set aside.
• In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites on medium speed until foamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the vinegar and begin to slowly add the granulated sugar over a 30 second period and then raise the mixer speed to medium high and whip until medium stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.
• Fold the egg whites into the yolk-flour mixture in 3 additions. Do this carefully to retain an airy mixture. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
• Bake until golden in color and springy to the touch, 14 to 16 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Run an offset spatula around the edges of the cake, place a piece of parchment over the surface, place a cooling rack on top and flip the cake out of the pan. Use another cooling rack to flip the cake back over so that it can cool upright.
• For the buttercream: Combine the raspberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water in a large heavy-bottomed pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Use a spoon to crush the raspberries as they cook. Continue to simmer, stirring frequently, until the raspberry pulp has reduced by about half, 10 to 15 minutes. Strain through a sieve and allow to cool (but do not chill).
• Combine the confectioners' sugar, egg whites and vanilla in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Combine on low until the sugar is incorporated and then raise the speed to high and whip for 10 minutes. Add half the softened butter, whipping on low to combine. Add the remaining butter, scrape down the bowl and whip attachment and then return the mixer to medium speed and beat until the mixture is fully combined, light and smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cooled raspberry sauce with the mixer on low and allow to combine. Add the orange liqueur. Raise the mixer speed to medium high and beat until smooth.
• For the cake and decorations: Cut the cooled cake lengthwise into three strips that are each 4 inches wide and 16 inches long. Spread about 1 cup of the raspberry buttercream over each strip. Roll up the first strip, then line up the end of the first roll with the start of the second strip. Continue rolling until all 3 strips have been rolled. Turn the cake upright and place on a cake stand.
• Cover the cake with the raspberry buttercream. Transfer the remaining buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a small fluted piping tip. Finish the top of the cake with piped dollops of buttercream and a sprinkling of crushed freeze-dried raspberries.

SPONGE CAKE (PAN DI SPAGNA)

Steps:

• Butter and line with parchment paper a 9-or 10-inch round cake pan that is 2 inches deep.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the yolks with the vanilla. Whisk in half the sugar and continue to beat until very light and frothy, about 5 minutes, either by hand, with a hand mixer set at medium speed, or in a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the whip.
• Combine the flour and cornstarch and sift once to aerate.
• In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites with the salt until they hold a very soft peak, either by hand, with a hand mixer set at medium speed, or in a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the whip. Beating faster, add the remaining sugar in a very slow stream, beating until the egg whites hold a firm peak.
• Fold the yolk mixture into the whites with a rubber spatula. Sift the flour and cornstarch over the eggs in 3 additions, folding them in gradually. Do not overmix the batter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, until it is well risen and feels firm when pressed gently with the palm of your hand.
• Immediately loosen the layer from the side of the pan with a small knife or spatula. Invert the layer onto a rack and leave the paper stuck to it. Turn the layer right side up and cool it on a rack.
• Unless you are going to use the layer within a few hours, double-wrap tightly in plastic and keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days, or freeze.

ITALIAN SPONGE LAYER CAKE W/STRAWBERRIES & WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored.
• Add sugar and continue beating until thoroughly mixed. Add flavor.
• Mix flour and baking powder together. Fold into egg yolk mixture.
• In separate large bowl,beat whites until they hold their peaks. Gently fold into egg/flour mixture.
• Pour into UNGREASED tube pan and bake 350* for 40 - 50 minutes. Cake will raise above top of pan and be golden brown.
• Insert neck of heavy long necked bottle into neck of tube and invert cake over bottle to hang upside down until cooled.
• Slice into 3 layers
• Add sugar and vanilla to whipping cream and whip till stiff (Do not overbeat) Spread between layers, top and around sides of cake. Decorate top with fresh berries.
• Use SERRATED knife in 'sawing' motion to slice, and pour thawed strawberries over individual slice.