Triple Ginger Layer Cake Food

TRIPLE GINGER & SPICE CAKE

Steps:

• Butter and line a 23cm square baking tin (or use a shallow roasting tin, approx 30 x 20cm). Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Put the butter, sugar and treacle into a saucepan and heat gently for about 5 mins until the butter and sugar have melted. Stir in the milk. The mix should be just warm to the touch; if not, leave to cool a little longer, then beat in the eggs.
• Mix the chopped ginger and dry ingredients together in a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Pour the melted mix into the well, then gradually draw the dry ingredients into the wet with a wooden spoon, until you have a thick, smooth batter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared tin, then bake for 1 hr until risen and firm to the touch. Resist taking a peek beforehand; the cake will sink if the oven temperature drops too quickly before it's cooked through. Poke a skewer into the centre to check that it's cooked - it should come out clean. If not, give it 10 mins more and check again. Leave the cake to cool in the tin. Once completely cool, turn out of the tin ready for icing, or wrap well in cling film and keep in a cool, dry place for up to a week.
• To make the icing, sift the icing sugar into a bowl and add the gingery syrup. Beat well until you have a smooth, runny icing. Once the cake has cooled, drizzle with icing and cut into squares. If you're planning to let the cake mature for a while, make the icing on the day you want to cut it.

TRIPLE LAYER CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Line three 9-inch cake pans with foil, leaving about a 2-inch overhang on all sides. (See Cook's Note.)
• Add the cookies and sugar to the bowl of a food processor and pulse to fine crumbs. Drizzle in the butter and pulse until the crumbs are completely coated and moistened with the butter. Firmly press the crumb mixture into the bottom of one of the prepared pans; set aside.
• Add the dark chocolate pudding mix to a large bowl and whisk in 2 cups of the heavy cream. Continue whisking until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. (It's fine if there are still a few granules in the mix; they will dissolve once set.) Pour the pudding mixture on top of the crumb crust and spread until even. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, clean out the bowl, add the chocolate pudding mix and whisk in 2 cups heavy cream. Continue whisking until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Pour into another prepared pan and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
• Clean out the bowl again, then add the white chocolate pudding mix and whisk in the remaining 2 cups heavy cream. Continue whisking until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Pour into the third prepared pan and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
• When all 3 layers are completely frozen, use the foil to lift out the cakes from the pans. Place the dark chocolate layer crumb-side down on a cake stand or large plate. Top with the chocolate layer and then with the white chocolate layer. Refrigerate until the layers are thawed and the cake is set, about 8 hours and up to overnight.
• Before serving, run a hot knife around the outside of the cake to smooth it and sprinkle the top with the chocolate shavings.

TRIPLE GINGER SKILLET CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 325 degrees, and lightly grease a 12-inch oven-safe skillet with unsalted butter.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the remaining butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the molasses, and grate the ginger using a fine grater into the mixing bowl. Mix until well combined, scraping the bowl as necessary, 1 minute more. Add the egg and mix to incorporate, about 30 seconds more.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon and salt to combine. Add half of the flour mixture to the mixer and mix on low speed to combine. Scrape the bowl well.
• Add the milk and mix to incorporate. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the crystallized ginger by hand.
• Pour the batter into the prepared skillet, and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the surface with turbinado sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Let cool for 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with powdered sugar.

TRIPLE-CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 (9-inch) round cakes, blending dry pudding mix and coffee into batter before pouring into prepared pans. Cool cakes in pans 10 min. Invert cakes onto wire racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.
• Meanwhile, melt white and dark chocolates (separately) as directed on packages. Drop spoonfuls of chocolates alternately onto parchment-covered rimmed baking sheet; swirl gently with knife. Freeze 15 min. or until firm.
• Beat cream cheese, milk and vanilla in medium bowl with mixer until blended. Gradually beat in sugar. Gently stir in COOL WHIP.
• Cut each cake horizontally in half to form 2 layers. Stack layers on plate, spreading 1 cup COOL WHIP mixture onto each of the first 3 layers to 1 inch of edge. Spread top with remaining COOL WHIP mixture.
• Break chocolate into 1- to 2-inch pieces; stand in COOL WHIP mixture on top of cake.

TRIPLE LAYERED CONFETTI CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter three 8-inch round cake pans. Line the pans with parchment paper, then butter the parchment. Dust with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk together the all-purpose and cake flours, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the egg whites 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour. Beat until just incorporated. Fold in the sprinkles.
• Divide the batter evenly among the pans and bake the cakes until golden at the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the pans to wire racks and cool 15 minutes. Turn the cakes out of the pans and return to the racks to cool completely.
• For the frosting: While the cake layers are cooling, whisk together the sugar and egg whites in a heatproof mixing bowl set over (not inside) a pan of simmering water. Whisk until the mixture is warm and the sugar is dissolved (it should feel completely smooth when rubbed between your fingers), 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
• Whisk the egg white mixture on medium speed for 5 minutes. Increase the speed to medium high and whisk the meringue until stiff, glossy peaks form and the bottom of the mixing bowl is cool to the touch, about 7 minutes.
• Reduce the speed to medium low. Add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. (If the frosting appears to separate after all of the butter has been added, simply increase the speed to medium high and beat until smooth again.) Add the vanilla and salt and continue beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Trim the tops of the cooled cake layers with a knife so they are flat. Place the bottom layer on a cake stand or platter and spread evenly with about 1 cup of the frosting. Place the second layer on top of the first. Spread evenly with about 1 cup frosting. Place the remaining layer on top of the second layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, using an offset spatula to create large swirls. Decorate with sprinkles as desired.

THREE-LAYER CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Brush three 9-inch-round cake pans with vegetable oil and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then pulse in a food processor until very finely chopped.
• Combine the pecans, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and granulated sugar in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, lemon zest, eggs and 1/2 cup marmalade. Stir in the carrots, then fold the carrot mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. Divide among the prepared pans and spread evenly (it won't look like a lot of batter, but the cakes will rise in the oven). Put 2 pans on the upper oven rack and the third pan on the lower rack. Bake until the cakes bounce back when touched and a toothpick comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes, switching the position of the pans halfway through. Transfer the pans to racks until cool enough to handle, then invert the cakes onto the racks to cool completely. Remove the parchment.
• Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter in a bowl with a mixer until smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and salt until smooth.
• Put 1 cake layer on a platter. Spread with 1 tablespoon marmalade, then spread about 3/4 cup frosting over the marmalade. Top with another cake layer, marmalade and frosting. Spread the final cake layer with a thin layer of frosting. (This is the crumb coat; it doesn't have to be perfect.) Refrigerate 1 hour, then cover with the remaining frosting. Swirl some marmalade into the top of the cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Photograph by Con Poulos

TRIPLE-LAYER CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cake:.
• Preheat oven to 325°F Lightly grease three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Lightly grease waxed paper. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and vegetable oil in bowl until combined. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg into sugar and oil mixture. Stir in carrots, chopped pecans and raisins.
• Pour batter into prepared pans, dividing equally. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean and cakes begin to pull away from sides of pans, about 45 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks and cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic and store at room temperature.).
• For frosting:.
• Using electric mixer, beat all ingredients in medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with another cake layer. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Using icing spatula, spread remaining frosting in decorative swirls over sides and top of cake. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate.) Serve cake cold or at room temperature.

TRIPLE GINGER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Whizz together the biscuits or crush in a sealed bag until you get fine crumbs. Gently melt the butter, then mix into the crumbs. Press evenly into a 20cm loosebottomed round cake tin. Chill in the fridge while you make the filling.
• Put the remaining ingredients into a food processor and whizz until smooth. Spread over the base, then smooth the top with a knife. Leave in the fridge overnight to set. Remove the cake from the tin and top with roasted rhubarb (recipe, below) or your choice of fruit.

TRIPLE-LAYER TENNESSEE JAM CAKE

Steps:

• Beat the first 6 ingredients at low speed with an electric mixer for 1 minute. Scrape down sides and beat at medium speed 2 more minutes until well blended, scraping down sides if needed. Pour batter evenly into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.
• Bake at 350 for 20-23 minutes or until cakes are light brown and spring back when lightly pressed with your finger.
• Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
• Place on layer on a serving platter. Spread with 1/2 of blackberry jam, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Spread a smooth, thin layer of warm Quick Caramel Frosting over jam. Repeat layers. Top with third cake layer. Spread top and sides of cake with remaining Quick Caramel Frosting, working quickly before the frosting hardens. (If frosting becomes too hard to spread, place it over low heat for 1 minute, stirring constantly.) Let cake stand 10 minutes.
• Quick Caramel Frosting:.
• Bring first 3 ingredients to boil in a 3 1/2-quart saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in milk and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, stirring with a wooden spoon until smooth. Use immediately.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE & PEANUT BUTTER LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Oil and line the base of three 19cm sandwich tins. Mix the flour, cocoa, bicarb and sugar in a bowl. Make a well in the centre and beat in the syrup, eggs, oil and milk with an electric whisk until smooth.
• Divide the mix between the tins, and bake for 25-30 mins until the cakes are risen and firm to the touch. Cool in the tins for 10 mins before turning out onto a cooling rack and cooling completely. At this stage, they can be frozen, well wrapped, for up to eight weeks.
• Make the bark while the cake is cooling. Melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring every 20 secs, until smooth. Spoon onto a parchment-lined baking tray and smooth over with a spatula to make a thinnish layer, around 35 x 20cm. Sprinkle over the chocolate chips along with the pieces of pretzel and honeycomb, then chill until solid. Remove the bark from the fridge and leave for a minute to come to room temperature before using a sharp knife to cut it into shards (if it's fridge cold, the chocolate will snap rather than cut). Chill again until you're ready to decorate the cake.
• To make the icing, melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring between short blasts, then leave to cool a little. Meanwhile, beat the butter, icing sugar and 1 tbsp boiling water with an electric whisk or stand mixer, slowly at first, then turn up the speed and beat until you get a pale, fluffy icing. Spoon out a third of the mix into a separate bowl and stir in the peanut butter. Whisk the melted chocolate into the remainder of the icing, then beat in the cocoa if you want a darker, more chocolatey-coloured icing.
• Sandwich the three cakes together with the peanut butter icing. Use half the chocolate icing to coat the sides and top of the cake and fill in the edges between the layers, scraping off any excess. Chill for 20 mins. This is called a crumb coating, allowing you to get a really smooth finish when it comes to the final icing.
• Spread the remaining chocolate icing over the lightly chilled cake, smoothing over the sides and top so you get a neat finish. Chill again for 20 mins.
• To make the ganache, heat the cream in a small pan until steaming. Tip the dark chocolate into a bowl, then pour over the cream. Mix well until smooth and shiny. Transfer to a piping bag and leave to cool for a few mins at room temperature.
• Pipe the ganache on top of the cake, nudging it over the edge and allowing it to drip down neatly. Do this all the way round the cake, then fill in the centre with more ganache. Smooth the top with a knife. Chill for 1 hr for the ganache to set.
• Press the bark shards into the cake, sticking up. Add lots of chocolate eggs, popcorn and pretzels in and around the shards. Cut into slices to serve. Will keep for up to three days kept in a cool place in an airtight container.

TRIPLE-CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Make cake: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Butter three 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides.
• Line bottoms with parchment paper.
• Stir buttermilk, espresso power and vanilla in small bowl until powder dissolves.
• Sift sugar and next 5 ingredients into large bowl.
• Add eggs and butter; beat until mixture is thick and smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Add buttermilk mixture; beat until light and fluffy,about 1 1/2 minutes longer.
• Divide batter among pans.
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
• Cool cakes in pans on racks 5 minutes.
• Turn cakes out onto racks.
• Peel off parchment; cool completely.
• Make fillings and frosting: Place white chocolate and milk chocolate in separate medium bowls.
• Bring 1 cup cream to boil in heavy medium saucepan.
• Pour 3 tablespoons hot cream into white chocolate and 3 tablespoons hot cream into milk chocolate.
• Add bittersweet chocolate to remaining cream in saucepan; stir until smooth.
• Stir white chocolate and milk chocolate fillings until smooth; chill until cold but not firm, about 15 minutes.
• Set aside bittersweet chocolate frosting.
• Assemble: Place 1 cake layer on platter.
• Using handheld mixer, beat white chocolate filling until slightly stiff.
• Spread over cake layer.
• Top with second cake layer.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon cream to milk chocolate filling and beat until smooth.
• Spread over second cake layer.
• Top with third cake layer.
• Chill cake until bittersweet chocolate frosting is firm enough to spread, about 30 minutes.
• Stir frosting until smooth.
• Spread very thin layer over top and sides of cake to smooth surface and anchor crumbs.
• Chill 30 minutes.
• Spread remaining frosting decoratively over cake.
• (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and chill.) Garnish cake with chocolate shavings, if desired,and serve.