So, I'm baking and trying to decide which type of cake to make for DH's birthday.
I think I found a winner -
Chocolate Cake with fleur de sel caramel filling
Caramel filling:
1 C. sugar
1/4 c. water
2 T. light corn syrup
1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
1/4 c. unsalted butter, diced
1/4 c. creme fraiche or sour cream (I used sour cream for the test batch)
1/2 t. lemon juice
large pinch of fleur de sel (salt) - I guess regular kosher salt would work as well. - plus more for assembly.
Ganache filling and frosting:
1 1/2 lbs. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3 cups heavy whipping cream
Cake:
2 c. sugar
1 3/4 c. all purpose flour
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 c. whole milk
2 large eggs
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 c. hot water
1 T. instant espresso powder or instant coffee
1 1/4 c. toasted almonds, coarsely chopped
Caramel filling: Stir sugar, 1/4 c. water, and corn syrup in deep medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. INcrease heat to medium, cover pan and cook 4 minutes. Uncover; increase heat to high. Boil w/o stirring until syrup is deep amber, occasionally brushing down pan sides with wet pastry brush. (about 6 minutes). Remove from heat and add cream. Whisk in butter, then creme fraiche, lemon juice and pinch of fleur de sel. Cool completely. Can be made up to 3 days ahead.
Ganache filling and frosting:
Place chocolate in large bowl. Bring cream to simmer in saucepan. Pour cream over chocolate. Let soften 1 minute. Whisk until chocolate is smooth. Cool, then cover and chill overnight. Can be made 3 days ahead. Bring to room temp. before using.
Cake:
Preheat oven to 350. Prep 2 9" round cake pans. Line bottom of each with parchment paper, butter paper and dust with flour.
Sift sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into large bowl. Add milk, eggs, and melted butter. Using electric mixer, beat at low speed until blended. Increase speed and blend for 2 minutes. Stir 1 cup hot water and espresso powder in bowl to dissolve. Add to batter; beat until blended - batter will be thin. Divide batter between cake pans.
Bake until tester comes out clean - about 32 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, turn cakes out and cool completely.
Cut each cake layer horizontally in half. Place 1 layer on platter, spread with 1/2 c. ganache. Spread 1/4 c. room temperature caramel mixture on top of ganache. Sprinkle with pinch of fleur de sel and 1 T. chopped almonds. Repeat with layers 2 and three. Top with 4th layer, cut side down. Spread remaining ganache over top and sides of cake. Press remaining almonds into sides of cake.
Can be assembled 2 days ahead, cover and chill.
Let come to room temperature for 1 hour before serving.
|