Cranberry Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Buttercrea... |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes |
Ready In: 30 Minutes Servings: 16 |
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I have not made this recipe... but it looks and sounded so good... you can substitute dried cherries for the cranberries and use different jams... this is another recipe that is on my holiday list... the recipe and photo are courtesy of Midwest Living Ingredients:
unsalted butter |
unsweetened cocoa powder |
1-3/4 cups sifted cake flour |
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder |
2 teaspoons baking soda |
1/2 teaspoon salt |
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened |
2 cups sugar |
2 teaspoons vanilla |
2 eggs |
1-3/4 cups buttermilk |
1/4 cup strong brewed coffee |
1/2 cup dried cranberries or coarsely chopped dried tart cherries |
1/2 cup cranberry or red currant jelly, or lingonberry or seedless red raspberry jam |
so-chocolate buttercream |
so-chocolate buttercream |
5 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled |
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled |
1/4 cup sugar (optional) |
1/4 cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed |
1 to 2 tablespoons instant espresso coffee powder or instant coffee crystals |
1 tablespoon cognac, orange liqueur, kirsch, cherry brandy, creme de cassis, or water |
1 teaspoon vanilla |
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature and cut into 1-inch pieces |
Directions:
1. 1. Butter two 9-inch round baking pans. Add about 1 tablespoon cocoa powder to one pan. Tilt and roll the pan to evenly distribute cocoa powder; shake out excess cocoa into second baking pan. Repeat to coat bottom and side of second pan with cocoa powder from the pans. Set the prepared baking pans aside.
2. 2. In a medium bowl, stir together cake flour, 1 cup cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. 3. In a large mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add the sugar and vanilla; beat until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating the mixture well after each.
4. 4. In a small bowl, stir together the buttermilk and coffee. Add flour mixture and buttermilk mixture alternately to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after each addition until just combined. Fold in cranberries or cherries. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
5. 5. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean.
6. 6. Cool cakes on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from the pans. Cool thoroughly on wire racks before frosting. (If you like, wrap unfrosted cake layers individually in plastic wrap and leave at room temperature for up to 2 days before using. Double-wrap if layers are to be frozen for later use.)
7. 7. To assemble, place one cake layer on a serving plate. With a thin metal spatula, spread jelly or jam on cake to within 1/2 inch of edges. Top with a layer (about 1/3 cup) of So-Chocolate Buttercream (see Recipe Center). Place second cake layer on top of first layer. Frost top and sides with So-Chocolate Buttercream. Chill in refrigerator to firm the buttercream. Makes 16 servings.
8. Buttermilk substitutes
9. Mix 1-1/2 cups milk with 1/2 cup dairy sour cream and use in place of 1-3/4 cups buttermilk
10. ...................................................................................
11. buttercream
12. 1. In a food processor with metal blade, combine the melted chocolates, and the sugar, if using. Add the egg product, espresso, cognac, and vanilla. Cover and process with 4 or 5 on/off turns.
13. 2. With the machine running, add butter, one piece at a time, through feed tube. Process until mixture is smooth. If necessary, refrigerate until spreading consistency. Makes about 1-1/4 cups.
14. Electric Mixer Directions: In a medium mixing bowl, combine chocolates, sugar (if using), egg product, espresso, cognac, and vanilla. Beat smooth. Gradually add butter, beating until fluffy. (Note: This method will give a lighter, fluffier frosting.) Makes 2-1/2 cups.
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