Toasted Angel Food Cake

RASPBERRY FOOL WITH TOASTED ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread cake pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Toast until edges are golden brown but centers are still soft, 8-10 minutes. Let cool; set aside.
• Using a fork, coarsely mash raspberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon lime zest in a small bowl. Let sit 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat cream, crème fraîche, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes.
• Layer cake, raspberry mixture, and cream mixture in glasses or small bowls; top with lime zest.

TOASTED ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH GRILLED PEACHES

Steps:

• Move oven rack to lowest position. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Pour cake mix into clean, large mixing bowl.
• Add water. Prepare and bake according to package directions in ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Cool completely.
• Preheat outdoor grill to medium heat, or follow alternative indoor instructions below. Clean and lightly oil grate. Sprinkle cut side of fruit with cinnamon-sugar. When ready to serve, place fruit, cut side down, on grill. Use grill pan or aluminum foil to collect syrup run-off from peaches. Cook about 2 to 3 minutes or until warm and nicely charred with grill marks. Set aside and keep warm.
• Place slices of angel food cake on clean grill using a metal spatula. Watch carefully and cook about 45 to 60 seconds on EACH side or until golden brown grill marks appear.
• Slice peaches and serve over warm, toasted angel food cake.
• Garnish: Drizzle syrup run-off from grilled peaches over angel food cake and peaches.

TOASTED ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Spread cream cheese on one slice of cake; spread preserves on second slice. Place slices together, sandwich-style. Spread butter on outsides of cake., In a large skillet or griddle, toast sandwiches until cake is lightly browned on both sides and cream cheese is melted. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve immediately., ,

TOASTED ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place 1 3/4 cups sugar in a food processor and blend until superfine, about 2 minutes.
• Sift half the fine sugar, cake flour, and salt together in a bowl.
• Whisk egg whites, water, cream of tartar, and lemon extract together in a large bowl for 2 minutes. Beat in remaining fine sugar using an electric mixer until medium peaks form. Sprinkle some of the flour mixture on top; stir in gently. Repeat with the rest of the flour mixture. Spoon batter carefully into an ungreased fluted tube pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Invert onto a cooling rack and let cool completely, at least 25 minutes.
• Beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup butter together in a bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and creamy. Add lemon juice; beat until just blended. Gradually mix in all but 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar on low speed until frosting is just blended. Stir in lemon zest.
• Mix 3/4 cup strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries thoroughly in a bowl with 2 tablespoons white sugar.
• Cut a curved, smile-shaped line near the bottom of each whole strawberry; carefully cut another, flatter curve above. Connect the two curves and carve out space between to create the smile. Leave room above the smile and below the leaves for eyeballs.
• Place reserved 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar in a small bowl. Dust hands with sugar and roll a tiny amount of stiff decorator icing between your fingers into a small ball. Place it on the strawberry, above the smile. Make another ball and stick it next to the first one. Stick 1 black sugar pearl onto each frosting ball to create eyes. Repeat with remaining whole strawberries.
• Remove cake carefully from the pan, scraping edges from side if needed. Slice into 6 slices about 2 inches thick. Spread 2 tablespoons butter equally on the outside of the slices.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a cake slice; toast until lightly browned, about 1 minute per side. Place toasted cake on a plate. Spoon some frosting on top and let it drip down. Spoon sugared berries around the cake and place a smiling strawberry on top. Repeat with remaining cake slices, frosting, and berries.