Unicorn Cake Truffles Food

UNICORN CAKE

Steps:

• For the unicorn decorations: First, make the horn and ears. Put the marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons water. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until the marshmallows are melted, about 1 1/2 minutes total. Add 1 1/2 cups of the confectioners' sugar and stir to make a stiff mixture. Grease your hands and a work surface with some shortening. Knead the mixture, adding up to 1/2 cup more confectioners' sugar and greasing your hands as needed to keep it from sticking, until the mixture is very smooth and pliable, 4 to 5 minutes. (The mixture should form a tight but very smooth ball. If you poke a finger into it, the indentation should remain.)
• Break off three-quarters of the marshmallow mixture, add 1 drop blue gel food coloring and knead it into the mixture until evenly distributed. Remove one-quarter of the blue mixture and roll out to a thickness of a little less than 1/4 inch. With a sharp paring knife, cut two 2-inch-tall triangles for the inside of the unicorn ears. Roll the remaining blue mixture into a thick, tapered strand, about 2 feet long. Brush an 8-inch lollipop stick with water. Starting about 3 inches up from the bottom of the stick, roll the strand around it, starting with the thickest part first, into a tapered horn. Press gently all around to adhere it to the stick. Stick the horn upright in a jar filled with dried beans or rice to dry.
• Roll out the remaining plain marshmallow mixture to a thickness of a little less than 1/4 inch. With a sharp paring knife, cut two 3-inch-tall triangles for the outside of the unicorn ears. Brush the larger ears on one side with a small amount of water. Stick on the smaller blue ears. Drape the ears, with the smaller pieces face down, over the rolling pin to dry.
• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat four 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and dust with flour, tapping out the excess. Prepare the cake mixes according to the package directions. Stir in the sprinkles. (If you don't have 4 pans, make 1 box of cake mix at a time and use half of the sprinkles in each).
• Divide the batter among the 4 prepared pans and bake, rotating the pans from top to bottom halfway through baking, until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 28 minutes. Let cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and cool completely.
• For the buttercream: Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and light, about 1 minute. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat on low to incorporate, then increase the speed to medium high and beat until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and then the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting is easily spreadable.
• Cut the domed tops from the cakes to make them flat. Frost the top of one cake layer with about 1/2 cup frosting. Set another layer on top and frost again. Repeat with the third layer, then end with the last layer bottom-side up on top. Coat the cake with a very thin layer of frosting to crumb coat, then chill until set, about 15 minutes. Set the cake on a cake stand and spread all but 1/2 cup of the remaining frosting on the cake in a smooth layer.
• Cut two 3-inch strands from the licorice and stick to the cake about halfway down in wide U shapes for the eyes. Cut ten 1/2-inch licorice pieces and press 5 along the bottom of each eye for eyelashes. Wrap the rainbow candy belt around the base of the cake. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup frosting in a strip along the base of the cake to adhere the candies. Stick the candies around the cake in a decorative fashion. Pull the cotton candy apart to make it fluffy and stick on the top and sides of the cake as a mane. Add the horn and ears and serve immediately. (Most of the cake can be decorated in advance; the cotton candy needs to be added at the last minute.)

PINEAPPLE CAKE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment and position a rack on top of one. Set aside.
• Crumble the cake in a large bowl. Add the coconut flakes, frosting, pineapple juice and coconut extract and mix with your hands until fully combined and smooth.
• Using damp hands or gloves, scoop out 3 tablespoons of the mixture and form into a compact egg shape (about 2 inches tall by 1 1/2 inches wide). Transfer to the rack on the baking sheet, standing it upright. Repeat until you have 10 eggs total.
• Add 10 ounces of the candy melting wafers and 5 teaspoons of the coconut oil to a medium microwave-safe liquid measuring cup. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until the melting wafers and coconut oil are melted and the mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Pour the mixture over the cake truffles to coat completely. As soon as the coating has just set, dip a small offset spatula in hot water, wipe clean and slide under each truffle to release. Transfer to the lined baking sheet. Set aside in the freezer while you proceed.
• Add 4 ounces candy melting wafers and 3/4 teaspoon coconut oil to a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until the melting wafers and coconut oil are melted and the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small piping bag fitted with a small round tip.
• Lay the truffles on their sides with the bottoms facing you. Pipe the candy mixture in a diagonal crosshatch pattern on the top of each truffle. By the time you finish piping the last one, the first one should be dry. Flip over and pipe a crosshatch on the other side. Stand each truffle upright and put in the freezer.
• Cut the green licorice twists into batons about 1 3/4 inches long. Peel each string, leaving the base intact, so they look like fronds.
• Add the remaining 2 ounces candy melting wafers and 1/4 teaspoon coconut oil to a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until the melting wafers and coconut oil are melted and the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. Dip the fronds into the melted candy and place on top of the pineapple truffles. Freeze until set, about 2 minutes.

UNICORN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of three 6-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease and flour pans., In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Beat in butter until crumbly. Add egg whites, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup milk and extracts; beat on medium until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Gradually beat in remaining milk. Gently fold in jimmies., Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in each center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove parchment. Cool completely., For buttercream, in a microwave, melt chocolate with cream until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Set aside to cool slightly. In heatproof bowl of stand mixer, whisk egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt until blended. Place over simmering water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisking constantly, heat mixture until a thermometer reads 160°, 8-10 minutes., Remove from heat. With whisk attachment of stand mixer, beat on high speed until cooled to 90°, about 7 minutes. Gradually beat in butter, a few tablespoons at a time, on medium speed until smooth; beat in vanilla and white chocolate mixture., Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Divide remaining buttercream into smaller portions; stir in food coloring to achieve desired colors. Decorate as desired. Store in refrigerator.

UNICORN CAKE

Steps:

• Start by making the unicorn's horn and ears - they'll need to dry completely before use. Roll 225g white fondant into a long sausage shape, with one end slightly thicker than the other. Starting from the thicker end, twist the sausage into a tight coil until you have a horn shape. Pinch the small end upwards into a pointed tip. Next, divide the remaining white fondant into two pieces. Roll each one out into a rough oval on a sheet of baking parchment, then pinch the top end of each oval upwards to make a point. Set the ears aside with the horn and leave to dry while you make the cake.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter the base of three 20cm sandwich tins and line with baking parchment. Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla together in a large bowl with an electric whisk for 8-10 mins until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift in the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt, and fold in using a large metal spoon. Add just enough of the milk to create a soft dropping consistency.
• Divide the batter between the prepared tins and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 mins, or until golden and firm to the touch. Leave to cool slightly in the tins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the cake is cooling, make the buttercream. Beat the butter, icing sugar and vanilla together until pale and fluffy, beating in 4-6 tbsp hot water to loosen the mixture if necessary.
• Put one of the cooled sponges on a cake board or stand and spread a little of the buttercream on top using a palette knife. Gently spread over half the salted caramel, if using, then sandwich with another sponge. Repeat the process with a little more buttercream, the remaining salted caramel (if using) and the third sponge. Spread the outside of the cake with a thin layer of buttercream - this doesn't have to be neat. Chill for 30 mins.
• Spread a thick, even layer of buttercream over the chilled cake using a palette knife. Divide the remaining buttercream into three bowls and colour each one differently using the gel food colouring. Ours were light pink, purple and dark pink.
• Put a little gold lustre dust into a bowl, add a drop of water and stir to make a gold paste. Using a small paintbrush, paint the unicorn horn gold using the paste, as well as the inside of the ears, if you like. Carefully place the gold horn in the middle of the iced cake, with the ears on either side.
• Fit three piping bags with three different nozzles (we used a round nozzle and two different-sized star nozzles) and fill each with a different colour of buttercream. Pipe each colour around the ears and horn and all over the top of the cake, coming down one side and over the edge of the front - this is the unicorn's mane. Decorate with some sprinkles, if using.
• Divide the black fondant in two pieces, and roll each into a thin sausage shape. Shape each into an arch, then press onto the front of the cake for eyes. If you like, curve the outer edges of the eyes upwards for eyelashes. Cut into slices and serve. Will keep in the fridge for up to three days.

CAKE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Mix cake, water, oil and eggs and bake as directed on box.
• Place cooled cake or scraps into a bowl in large pieces.
• Using a fork, crumble the cake into a nice crumb.
• Crumbled cake will be soft and fluffy.
• Pour in liquid coffee creamer judging by eye, until a medium sized puddle forms.
• Put on decorator's/food safe gloves and begin mixing the crumb liquid mixture.
• The cake central site says to use gloved hands because it's easier to get the feel of the mixture for consistency reasons rather then using a fork or spoon but you can use a fork or spoon if you'd prefer.
• Mix until a soft mushy dough forms.
• Once you get the mixture to the consistency you would like it, roll a small amount into a ball using the palms of your hands, or a cookie scoop, or a melon baller; anything will work for this.
• Place each ball on a platter.
• Place platter into the freezer for about 30-90 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place chocolate to be melted in a microwave safe bowl, microwave following melting directions.
• After removing platter from freezer, take one ball at a time, and roll it around in the melted chocolate with the help of a spoon.
• Place dipped balls back onto the parchment paper lined tray for drying.
• TIP: Store frozen - un-dipped - cake balls in an air tight container sealed with both lid and plastic wrap. Remove just before dipping to help the chocolate coating set.
• They are best served cold.

CAKE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Cook the cake as directed on the box for a 13 X 9 cake.
• After the cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into a large bowl. Make sure any parts that have a more crusty texture (from the outside edge of the pan) are picked out.
• Mix the cake thoroughly with the cream cheese frosting (like you would mix meatloaf). Make sure the cake is moist enough to roll into balls, but not mushy; you may not need to use all of the frosting (I find that about 3/4 of the container is a good amount).
• Roll the mixture into quarter-size balls and lay on a wax-paper covered cookie sheet.
• Chill for several hours (you can speed this up by putting in the freezer).
• Melt chocolate in the microwave per directions on package.
• Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use two spoons to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.).
• Decorate as desired.
• NOTES:.
• For steps 3 and 4, I found it works very well to wear powder-free latex gloves (if you're not allergic). I already have them for cutting jalapenos. They don't stick to the cake, and no coloring gets on your hands (if you're working with a red velvet cake, like in my eyeball pictures).
• If using small sprinkles to decorate, use a 1/4 teaspoons measuring spoon, and sprinkle a little on the top of each cake truffle before the chocolate coating firms up.
• I chilled my cake truffles in the refrigerator overnight (for step 5), and they were easy to work with.
• I used a 1 lb. bag of candy melts from the craft store, but I ran out near the last 1/3 of my cake truffles, so I covered the rest with either powdered sugar or drizzled semi-sweet chocolate (therefore, I recommend using more than one bag of candy melts, or a couple of packages of candy bark available at most grocery stores).
• The recipe says it makes 40-50 cake truffles, but I usually get about 88 (I must roll them smaller).

UNICORN CAKE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:.
• 1 (1 1/2-inch-diameter) ice cream scoop & 20 to 25 popsicle sticks.
• FOR THE CAKE POPS:.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (8-inch) round cake pans with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, whisk together boxed cake mix, eggs, water and oil until well combined.
• Divide the batter in half. Color one half with pink food coloring and the other half with purple.
• Pour the pink batter into a prepared pan and the purple into the other. Bake for about 35 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Set aside to cool.
• Once cool, crumble each cake into separate bowls. Add 2 tablespoons frosting to each bowl. Using your hands, mix the frosting with the crumbs until it all comes together.
• Firmly press pieces of pink and purple dough into a 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop. Roll into a ball between palms of hands. Repeat with remaining batter.
• Chill in the fridge, about 30 minutes.
• DECORATE THE CAKE POPS:.
• In a deep bowl, melt the melting chocolate in the microwave at half power using 30-second intervals.
• Dip lollipop sticks into the melted chocolate and then into the cake truffles.
• Let set 10 minutes.
• Dip the truffles into melted chocolate. Carefully tap the pop on the side of the bowl to get rid of any excess chocolate. Place on parchment paper to set.
• Roll out two cylinders of fondant 1" long 1/4" wide. Spiral them together and pinch at the top to form a horn. Repeat to create 20 horns.
• Place a teaspoon of gold luster dust in a small bowl and toss the horns in the gold dust. Set aside to harden slightly.
• Roll a small amount of fondant into two pea size balls. Flatten and pinch at the top to make 2 triangle ear shapes. Repeat to make 20 sets of ears.
• Use a pink food writing pen to color a small triangle in the center of each ear.
• Twist and pull the lollipop sticks to remove them from each truffle.
• Cut 20 3-inch and 20 1-inch pieces of sour belt. Leaving 1/2" at the top, cut the longer belts, vertically between each color, into small strips. Cut the front of the shorter pieces into a triangle and then use small cuts inwards to create fringe.
• Use melted chocolate to attach mane to the top of each truffle. Angle the longer piece to the side so the mane can be seen in the front. Use melted chocolate to attach front hair piece.
• Use melted chocolate to attach the horn on the center top and ears on either side of the mane.
• Use black food writing pen to draw eyes, eyelashes, and nose on the truffles.