Friday, August 29, 2014

Triple Layer Funfetti Cake

Boy do I have a doozy of a creation for you today! Three layers of funfetti flavor stacked together and frosted with a sweetened whipped cream. Buckle your seat belts because here we go!

OK, so this cake has three layers. The first layer is a funfetti cheesecake, the second layer is a moist funfetti yellow cake, and the top layer is an airy funfetti mousse. That's right...cheesecake, regular cake, mousse, and it all gets finished off with sweetened whipped cream. It's impressive and delicious. So delicious in fact that we cut into this delight and I forgot to take photos of the inside. Just use your imagination. :)



This cake was a birthday treat made for my sister, Elyse, who is the funfetti-est person I know. She sent me a picture of a journal entry from middle school where she confessed that the hardest decision in her life was deciding what kind of birthday cake she wanted. Luckily this year, she didn't have to decide because I saw this creation and new it was perfect for her!

This cake is a bit labor intensive so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to make it. Also, you will need a springform pan. You can try to make this in a regular round cake pan, but I don't recommend it. :)

Triple Layer Funfetti Cake


For the Cheesecake

24 oz cream cheese
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp flour
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
3-4 tbsp sprinkles
1 1/4 tsp almond extract
1 1/4 tsp butter extract

For the Funfetti Yellow Cake

2 cups Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix
4 tbsp vegetable oil
2 eggs
2/3 cup water

For the Mousse

1 tsp + 1/8 tsp powdered gelatin
1 1/2  tablespoon water
9 ounces white chocolate chips
2 1/4 cups cold heavy cream
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp butter extract
4 tbsp sprinkles

For the Whipped Cream Frosting

2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions


To make the Funfetti Cheesecake:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease the sides.
2. In a large bowl, blend the cream cheese, sugar and flour. Use low speed to keep less air from getting into the batter.
3. Add the sour cream and 2 eggs. Beat until just combined.
4. Add other 2 eggs, sprinkles and almond and butter extracts. Beat until combined.
5. Pour the filling into the pan. Drop onto the counter a few times to release any air bubbles.
6. Wrap bottom of pan in aluminum foil and prepare it for a water bath.
7. Place foil wrapped pan in a another pan large enough for a water bath. Fill water pan with warm water about half way up the sides of the springform pan.
8. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
9. Turn off heat and leave in oven with door closed for 20 minutes or until set. Center of cheesecake will not look fully cooked, but will continue to cook in the oven.
10. Open oven door halfway and let cool for about 10 minutes. Cheesecake will be very tall, almost over the edge of the pan, but will begin to fall as it cools.
11. Refrigerate until firm 5-6 hours.
12. Remove cheesecake from springform pan to use later.

To make the Funfetti Cake:
1. Line the bottom of the same sized 9 inch springform pan used for the cheesecake with parchment paper and grease the sides.
2. Mix cake mix, oil and eggs together until well combined.
3. Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.
4. Allow cake to cool for 5-8 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to cool completely.
5. When cool, remove cake dome from top of cake.

To make the Funfetti Mousse:
1. In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water, let stand for about 5 minutes. Place mixer bowl and whisk attachment into the freezer for about 10 minutes.
2. Place the white chocolate chips in a medium bowl
3. Microwave 3/4 cup of heavy cream until it begins to boil.
4. Add gelatin mixture to the heavy cream and whisk until dissolved.
5. Pour cream over the white chocolate chips and let sit for about a minute.
6. Whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Set aside, cooling for about 5-8 minutes.
7. Take bowl out and whisk out of freezer and whisk remaining 1 1/2 cups heavy cream at high speed until it begins to thicken.
8. Add almond and butter extracts and continue whisking on high until soft peaks form.
9. Add about a third of the whipped cream to the chocolate mixture and mix well.
10. Add remaining whipped cream and sprinkles and mix until well combined. Set aside and move on to next steps.

To begin putting the cake together:
1. Prepare the same springform pan you used to make the cheesecake and cake. Put parchment paper on the bottom and around the edges, sticking up above the top edge of the pan.
2. Place the funfetti cake into the cake pan.
3. Pour the funfetti mousse on top of the funfetti cake and spread evenly.
4. Refrigerate until set, about 2 1/2 hours.

Once the mousse has set, make the Whipped Vanilla Icing:
1. Put mixing bowl and whisk attachment in freezer for about 10 minutes.
2. Remove bowl and whisk from freezer and whip cream on high until it begins to thicken.
3. Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar and whip on high until thick and creamy.

To finish off the cake:
1. Get funfetti cheesecake out of refrigerator, as well as the funfetti cake and mousse that are already layered together.
2. Place funfetti cheesecake on a cake board, or the plate you will service it on.
3. Remove funfetti cake and mousse layers from springform pan.
4. Spread a thin layer of icing on top of the cheesecake.
5. Place the funfetti cake and mousse layers on top of the cheesecake, using the cake to lift it. The cake should end up as the middle layer, with the cheesecake on bottom and the mousse on top.
6. Ice the cake with the remaining whipped icing. Decorate with additional sprinkles, if desired.
7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.




Friday, August 15, 2014

s'more nut bars


I have good news for you today, friends! It's still summer! August for me, and probably many of you, signals the beginning of fall. Summer is winding to a close, kids are headed back to school, and the summer activities fizzle out, but this year I'm determined to squeeze every last drop out of the summer season! In honor of that, we're talking the ultimate summer sweet - graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallows - that's right we're doing classic s'mores in a whole new way!





When I came across this recipe, I was a little confused. First, what's a nut bar (besides being a really awkward name for a food), and second, how well would salty peanuts pair with graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate? Well folks, I'm here to tell you that these bars might be my favorite twist on a classic s'more awkward name and all! The saltiness of the peanuts and their crunchy bite perfectly round out the deliciousness that is this bar!




Ok, so these treats start with a graham cracker crust loaded with butter and the sweet flavor of brown sugar. Pressed into a pan and toasted to perfection, it's the most wonderful foundation for the remainder of the filling ingredients. Next up, a mixture of both dark and milk chocolate chips get stirred into a silky, shiny ganache. Fold in marshmallows and salty peanuts into the ganache and pour all of it onto the toasted crust. Finish these with a sprinkling of chopped peanuts and chill for several hours until set. These would be perfect for late summer parties, barbecues, and picnics since they're quick, easy, and yummy. You'll be everyone's favorite party guest. 



S'more Nut Bars

slightly adapted from Baked: New Frontiers in Baking Cookbook

18 graham crackers, crushed into fine crumbs
1 tablespoon firmly packed dark brown sugar
2/3 cup salted butter, melted
7 1/2 ounces milk chocolate chips
7 1/2 ounces dark chocolate chips
1 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1 cup heavy cream
10 marshmallow, cut into fourths
1/2 cup lightly salted whole peanuts
1/2 cup lightly salted peanuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 300 degrees, and line a 9 x 13 inch pan with parchment paper. 

In a large bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and butter. Mix to combine then press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake crust for 15 minutes or until golden brown, fragrant, and toasted. Remove pan from oven and cool on a wire rack while you prepare the filling ingredients.

Place both types of chocolate in a heat-proof bowl and drizzle the corn syrup over the top. Set aside. In a small saucepan heat heavy cream until it starts to boil. Immediately pour the cream over the chocolate mixture and allow to sit for about 2 minutes. 

Starting at the center of the bowl, whisk chocolate mixture until it becomes smooth and shiny. Fold in the marshmallows and peanuts. 

Pour the chocolate filling mixture over the crust. Using a spatula, spread the mixture as evenly as possible and sprinkle with the chopped peanuts.

Chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours or until set. Cut into squares and serve. 

Bars will need to be kept in the fridge until ready to serve, and will stay fresh for up to 3 days as long as they remain tightly covered. 


Long live summer!

Thursday, August 7, 2014

cherry pie bars


Hi friends! Today we're talking pie, cherries, and flaky, buttery crust. Are you in? I hope you are because these bars are delicious. 


These bars start the way everything in life should start, with a buttery, flaky crust. Seriously, the crust of these bars might be everyone's favorite part. I'd guess it's because the foundation of these bars is loaded with butter, sugar, and lemon zest. How could you go wrong with that? Answer: you most certainly can't. 


The filling of these bars? Also delectable. It's a silky filling of eggs, sugar, greek yogurt, flour, and of course, cherries. Buttery, flaky crust topped with a silky filling and cherries? Sign me up!


Cherry Pie Bars

adapted from Annies Eats

For the Crust
1 1/2 cups cake flour
3/4 cups sugar
pinch salt
zest of a lemon
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold

For the Filling
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup greek yogurt
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
juice of a lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 ounces cherries, cut in half and pitted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9x9 pan with aluminum foil.

Pulse flour, sugar, salt, zest, and butter in a food processor until crumbly. Reserve 3/4 cup of the mixture and set aside for the topping. Press the remainder of the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until bubbly and the edges are light golden. Let cool for 10 -12 minutes before adding the filling mixture.

Meanwhile in a large bowl, whisk together all filling ingredients except the cherries. Mix until smooth and creamy then gently fold in the cherries. 

Pour filling mixture over cooled crust and top with the reserved topping mixture. Bake for 45 minutes or until bars are just set and topping is just beginning to brown. Cool completely. Bars should be chilled for a few minutes before being sliced.