White Chocolate Almond Cake Food

WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the 2 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In small saucepan, melt 6 ounces white chocolate and hot water over low heat. Stir until smooth, and allow to cool to room temperature.
• In a large bowl, cream 1 cup butter and 1 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Stir in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Mix in melted white chocolate.
• Pour batter into two 9 inch round cake pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
• To make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine 6 ounces white chocolate, 2 1/2 tablespoons flour and 1 cup milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is very thick. Cool completely.
• In large bowl, cream 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. Gradually add cooled white chocolate mixture. Beat at high speed until it is the consistency of whipped cream. Spread between layers, on top and sides of cake.

ORANGE & WHITE CHOCOLATE SPONGE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Tip the sugar into a mixing bowl and add the softened butter and orange zest. Beat for 1 min or so until pale and fluffy, then beat in the egg yolks. Sift the flour and baking powder over the cake mixture and fold in lightly. Finally, fold in the almonds and orange juice. Whisk the egg whites until they just hold their shape. Fold one-third of the egg white into the cake mix, using the whisk. Repeat with another third, then the final third. Take care not to over-mix or you will lose the lightness of the egg whites.
• Divide the cake mix between the prepared tins and bake for 30-35 mins. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack, peel off the lining paper and leave to cool.
• To make the icing, melt the chocolate over a pan of barely simmering water or in the microwave on High for 1½ mins, stirring every 30 secs, then leave to cool. Whip the crème fraîche until thick, then fold in the white chocolate. Set one cake on a serving plate or cake stand. Spoon half the icing onto the cake and top with the other cake. Spread with the rest of the icing, then allow to set in the fridge for at least 1 hr.
• If you want to make the decorative curls, melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water or in a microwave and spread thinly over a baking tray. Leave the tray in the fridge for the chocolate to harden a bit, then use a cake slice or angled knife blade to scrape chocolate curls. Pile the curls in the middle of the cake and serve cut into slices.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 - (8 or 9 inch) round pans.
• In a double boiler, over lightly simmering water, melt 3 ounces white chocolate, stirring occasionally, until melted; set aside and cool to lukewarm. In a small bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a large chilled bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form; set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat eggs or about 5 minutes, or until light and lemon colored. Beat in 1 teaspoon almond flavoring and melted white chocolate. Fold in whipped cream. Fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time. Pour batter into prepared pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
• To make White Chocolate Frosting: In a large bowl, heat 3 ounces white baking chocolate over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted; cool to lukewarm. In a medium bowl on medium speed, combine melted white chocolate, confectioners' sugar, butter, water and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Beat until smooth and of spreading consistency.

WHITE CHOCOLATE ALMOND JOY TRIFLE

Steps:

• Make cake according to the directions on the box. When finished baking, remove from oven and allow it to cool to room temperature.
• While the cake is cooling make pudding according to directions on the packaging.
• Place a layer of chocolate cake crumbles in the bottom of a trifle bowl. Add a layer of pudding, a layer of chopped candy bars, and a layer of shredded coconut. (Tip: candy bars chop much easier if they are frozen).
• Continue layering all ingredients until trifle bowl is full.
• Garnish with whipped topping, chopped almonds, coconut and candy bars.
• Refrigerate for at least two hours, or overnight.
• Serve.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease a 20 x 30cm tin, then line with baking parchment. Beat the butter, flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, yogurt, milk and vanilla until lump-free. Stir in the chopped chocolate. Spoon into tin; bake for 25-30 mins until golden and risen and a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the tin.
• Melt the rest of the chocolate. Stir icing sugar into soft cheese, then the chocolate until smooth. Chill, spread over the cake, then cut into squares and decorate.

WHITE CHOCOLATE-ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Grease bottom and side of 9- or 10-inch springform pan with shortening; lightly flour. Place almonds on ungreased cookie sheet; bake 4 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Reserve 2 tablespoons almonds for garnish. Place remaining almonds in food processor or blender. Cover; process until almonds are ground; set aside.
• In small bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter and the granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating on high speed after each addition until smooth and blended. Add milk, liqueur, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the flour mixture and ground almonds; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in 6 ounces white chocolate. Spread batter in pan.
• Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until center springs back when lightly touched and top is evenly browned. Cool 15 minutes; remove side of pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat 4 ounces white chocolate and boiling water over low heat, stirring constantly, just until chocolate is melted. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla; cool to room temperature. In large bowl, beat 3/4 cup butter on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in cooled white chocolate mixture and powdered sugar until smooth.
• Run long knife under cake to loosen from pan bottom; transfer to serving plate. Spread frosting over side and top of torte. Garnish with reserved toasted almonds.

RASPBERRY, WHITE CHOCOLATE, AND ALMOND TRIFLE

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup cream to simmer in medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add white chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 10 minutes. Beat 2 1/2 cups cream and 1/2 teaspoon extract in large bowl to soft peaks. Fold in white chocolate mixture.
• Stir sugar and 1/2 cup water in small saucepan over medium heat until sugar melts. Mix in 3/4 teaspoon extract; remove syrup from heat. Quickly submerge 1 biscuit in syrup; shake excess back into pan. Place dipped biscuit in bottom of 14-cup trifle dish. Repeat with enough biscuits to cover bottom of dish.
• Spread 1/3 of melted jam over biscuits in dish. Top with 1/3 of partially thawed berries with juices. Spread 1/3 of whipped chocolate cream over. Repeat layering with dipped biscuits, melted jam, partially thawed berries, and whipped chocolate cream 2 more times. Mound fresh berries in center of trifle. Sprinkle almonds around edge. Cover and chill at least 5 hours and up to 24 hours.
• *Available at some supermarkets and at Italian markets.

CAKE MIX CHOCOLATE ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a large jelly-roll baking sheet.
• In a large bowl combine dry cake mix with flour, melted butter, chocolate syrup, eggs and both extracts; using an electric mixer on low speed beat until well combined.
• Stir in almonds and mini chocolate chips.
• Divide the dough in half, then place halves on baking sheet/s.
• Shape each into a 12 x 2-inch log (does not have to measure exactly).
• Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until firm to the touch.
• Cool for 12-15 minutes on the baking sheet.
• Using a serrated knife slice diagonally into about 1/2 to 3/4-inch slices.
• Turn cut-side down on baking sheet.
• Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until firm.
• Remove to a wire rack to cool.

WHITE CHOCOLATE AMARETTO CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 10 inch non-stick Bundt pan.
• In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, pudding mix, 1/2 cup of cold water, oil, 1/2 cup amaretto and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. Blend well for approximately 3 minutes.
• Pour batter into prepared 10 inch Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes to an hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Remove cake from oven, and use an ice pick or skewer to make as many holes as possible into the cake. Apply glaze while cake is still warm. Slowly and patiently drizzle glaze over cake, including the edges and center of Bundt pan. Allow cake to cool in the pan for at least 2 hours.
• To make the glaze: Combine butter, sugar, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 cup amaretto in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, and continue to boil for 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Topping: Lightly toast slivered almonds in the oven. This will take 5 to 10 minutes. Stir frequently and be careful not to burn. Heat 1/4 cup of the prepared frosting in the microwave for 10 seconds, to soften. Place the cake on serving dish and use a spoon to drizzle the softened frosting over the cake. Scatter toasted almonds over cake before frosting cools.

WHITE CHOCOLATE-ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350F and grease bottom of a 9 inch springform pan, line with wax paper.
• Melt chocolate in microwave on medium power or a bowl set over a pan of simmering water.
• (white chocolate won't melt to a smoothness of dark. once it's lost its shape it's melted enough) Beat butter in a large bowl on high speed till creamy.
• Beat in 3 T sugar then add yolks, one at a time.
• Scrape in cooled chocolate and beat till well blended.
• Add almonds and extract and beat till combined.
• Using clean beaters, beat egg whites on high speed till peaks begin to form.
• Slowly add 3 T sugar and beat till white and gloosy and firm.
• Add a big dollop to cake batter and stir well then fold in remaining whites.
• Pour into prepared pan and bake 45 to 50 minutes or till batter starts to pull away from sides of pan.
• Check after 30 minutes since you probably need to cover it loosely with foil to stop it burning.
• Some bronzing on top is okay.
• When done, a cake tester won't come out exactly clean, but no cooking batter should be clinging to it.
• Cool in pan on wire rack 20 minutes.
• Cake sinks while cooling.
• Run a knife around edge, invert cake on rack, remove paper, invert again and cool completely.
• Can serve with chopped mango and raspberries.

WHITE CHOCOLATE - ALMOND- CHERRY POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Pre heat oven to 325 degrees.
• In medium bowl, mix first 5 ingredients for 2 minutes.
• Fold in white chocolate and cherries.
• Pour into a greased and floured bundt pan.
• Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean.

FLOURLESS WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease a 8 inch round tin.
• Melt butter in a double boiler.
• When butter is half done melting, add the sugar.
• When the butter is completely done, add the white chocolate. (Strictly speaking, you could add the butter, sugar and white chocolate at the same time, but I find this easier).
• All while you are melting things, stir frequently.
• Just as the white chocolate and the butter are completely melted, remove from double boiler.
• Mix in egg yolks, one by one.
• Mix in almond meal.
• Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form.
• Gently fold egg whites into mixture.
• Pour mixture into prepared tin.
• Bake for fifty minutes.
• The cake may look rather brown, but that's perfectly fine. I serve mine in the tin, dusted with sugar for decoration.

ALMOND LAYER CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust with flour, tapping out the excess. Pulse 2 cups flour, the baking powder, salt and almonds in a food processor until the nuts are finely ground into a powder, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk the egg whites, milk, and vanilla and almond extracts in a medium bowl until combined.
• Beat 1 stick butter and the granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour, until just combined.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool in the pans. (The cakes can be frozen, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 2 weeks. Unwrap and thaw at room temperature.)
• Make the frosting: Microwave the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring, until melted; set aside. Beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 4 minutes. Gently fold in the melted white chocolate with a rubber spatula. (The frosting can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 2 days. Beat with a mixer to soften just before frosting the cake.)
• Assemble the cake: Loosen the edges of the cakes with a knife, then invert 1 layer onto a platter and peel off the parchment. Spread 1 to 1 1/2 cups frosting on top. Remove the other layer from the pan, peel off the parchment and carefully place on top of the first layer. Cover the top and sides of the cake with a thin layer of frosting (this is the "crumb coat"; it doesn't have to be perfect). Chill 15 minutes, then cover with the remaining frosting and decorate with nonpareils.