Bananas Foster Sheet Cake

Bananas Foster Sheet Cake

Cake:

1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 1/4 cups sugar

6 eggs, room temperature

3 cups ripe mashed bananas

3/4 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon rum or rum extract

1 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts

Cake:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour a 9×13 inch baking dish; set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer beat until fluffy the butter and sugar.

In a bowl whisk together the remaining dry ingredients except the nuts; set aside.

Add the eggs one at a time and combine well between each addition to the cream butter /sugar mixture. In a bowl combine the mashed bananas, sour cream and rum/rum extract; set aside. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the banana mixture to the egg mixture. Evenly spread batter into prepared dish. Bake for about 1 hour or until done. It will be done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and cake springs back when lightly touched. Remove from oven. Place on rack. Using a fork poke holes all over the top of the cake.

Glaze:

1 -14oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 -8oz. butterscotch topping

Combine all the glaze ingredients; mix well until combined.

While cake is still warm, gradually spread the glaze over the top of the warm cake. Give time for the glaze to be absorbed as you continue to add the glaze. Once all the glaze has been added to top of cake, allow to completely cool

Frosting:

1- 8oz. package cream cheese, room temperature

4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon rum or rum extract

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 -8oz. jar butterscotch topping

A few chopped nuts for garnish- optional

Frosting:

Combine the cinnamon, salt, powdered sugar, extracts and cream cheese. Beat until smooth. Add the heavy cream and beat until thickened. Spread on cooled cake.

Dollop the butterscotch topping and drizzle over the top of the frosted cake. Using a toothpick or sharp knife swirl around through the topping and frosting to create a marbled effect. Sprinkle top with nuts if desired. Store in refrigerator

This would also be good served with a sauce of sauteed bananas, brown sugar, butter and rum on the side.

Blackberry Torten

Blackberry Torten

Cake Base:

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cloves

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground allspice

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 lb. butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

4 eggs, room temperature

3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature

2 cups quality blackberry jam

1 cup toasted sliced almonds

Blackberry Frosting:

1/2 lb. butter, room temperature

1 lb. cream cheese, room temperature

5 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons lemon zest

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup fresh blackberries

Assembly:

1 lb. almond paste

1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds

2 quarts fresh blackberries

1 cup quality blackberry jam

Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom of a 12X18X2 inch baking pan with parchment paper; spray with nonstick spray; set aside.

In a large bowl sift the flour, baking soda, spices and salt . In the bowl of a stand mixer cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the vanilla and add eggs one at a time; combine well. Blend in buttermilk until incorporated.

Stir in the blackberry jam and almonds.

Pour batter into prepared pan and spread out evenly with a offset spatula. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on pan.

Using 8cm cake rings, cut parchment paper strips 1 inch taller than the cake ring and enough in length to completely go around inside circumference. Place the parchment sheet inside cake ring like a collar. Cut the sheet cake out into rings using the same size cake rings;set aside.

Roll the almond paste out into a thin sheet on parchment paper. Using the same size cake rings, cut out enough almond paste disks as there are cake cut out.

In the bowl of a stand mixer combine all the frosting ingredients until well combined and fluffy.

Assembly:

Place a collared cake ring on a cake board, serving plate or large muffin liner.

Insert a cake into the collared ring. Lightly spread a thin layer of blackberry jam over the top of the cake. Carefully place an almond paste disk over the top of the jam cover cake. Spread another thin layer of jam. Spread evenly to about a 1/2 thickness the frosting over the jam cover almond paste. Place fresh berries decoratively over the top of the frosting, gently pressing in slightly. Sprinkle some toasted almonds over the top. Place the tortens in the refrigerator to set up. Once the tortens are set, remove from refrigerator and gently slide the cake ring off the torten. Gently pull the parchment away from the sides. Dust with powdered sugar.

Apple and Potato Cake with Caramel Sauce

Apple and Potato Cake

ingredients

Apple and Potato Cake

• 1/4 cup mashed cooked apple
• 3/4 cup mashed cooked potatoes
• 1 tsp. butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 beaten egg
• 1/2 cup sultanas
• zest of 1 lemon
• 2 cups self rising flour
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• Topping:
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• Mix well together.
• Mix together the apples and potatoes. Beat the butter into the apple and potato mixture. Add the remaining ingredients. Place in greased 9x 10 baking dish. Sprinkle with topping. Bake at 350 for 40 minute or until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.
• Leave to cool in baking dish.

Caramel Sauce

• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. water

directions

Combine the cream and butter in small saucepan and warm over medium-low heat until butter melts. Keep warm over low heat. Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, gently swirling pan occasionally; do not stir. Use a pastry brush dipped in water to brush down any sugar crystals that have formed on the sides of the pan. Let mixture come to boil until deep golden brown. Take the pan from heat and slowly whisk in the warm cream-butter mixture. Keep in fridge in airtight container, until ready to serve.

Cinnamon Spiced Pumpkin Bread

Cinnamon Spiced Pumpkin Bread

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon nutmeg

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

1 cup canola oil

one 15 oz. can pumpkin puree

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

one 10 oz. package cinnamon chips

1 cup toasted chopped pecans

1 cup bourbon soaked and drained raisins * see note at bottom

Crumble Topping:

1 1/2 cups toasted chopped pecans

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of salt

3 tablespoons butter,melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 9X5X3 inch pan with nonstick spray; set aside.

Sift the flour,soda,baking powder, cinnamon , nutmeg and salt into a bowl; set aside.

In a separate bowl whisk together the sugar,eggs,oil,water,vanilla and pumpkin puree until combined.

Stir in the raisins into the pumpkin mixture and stir in the nuts and cinnamon chips into the dry mixture. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until combined. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pans.

Prepare the crumble by combine all ingredients and stir to combine. Sprinkle with the crumble topping evenly over each pan.

Bake for about 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.

*If you do not have bourbon soaked raisins, simply soak raisins in a jar which can be sealed at least overnight or place in a small pan and heat raisins needed in recipe with some bourbon. Bring to just boil , remove from heat allow to cool.

Blackberry Cheesecake

Let chilled cheesecake stand for twenty minutes before serving. Slice with hot knife, wiping clean before each slice.

ingredients

• 9×3 inch round cake pan with removable bottom
• 2 cups crushed graham cracker or vanilla wafer cookies
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 1/2 lbs cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 5 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 pints blackberries
• 1/4 cup Blackberry jam

directions

• 1

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• 2

  Butter a 9×3 in cake pan with removable bottom well. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the inside edge on pan extending 3-4 inches over the top of pan. Wrap inside buttered pan and spray the parchment with cooking spray. Wrap the pan bottom and up sides with two layers of foil. Set aside.

• 3

  Combine the crust ingredients, graham cracker crumbs,2 tablespoons sugar and the 2 tablespoons melted butter. Press into bottom of pan. Bake until crust begins to brown. Allow to cool completely.

• 4

  In a stand mixer, beat cream cheese on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl often. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar and flour. With mixer on low speed, gradually add sugar to cream cheese mixture, mix until smooth. Add sour cream and vanilla, blend until smooth on low. Add eggs one at a time until just combined. Do not overmix.

• 5

  Pour the cream cheese filling into the prepared pan. Set pan inside a larger shallow roasting pan. Carefully pour boiling water into roasting pan to reach halfway up the sides. Bake 45 minutes; reduce temperature to 325 degrees. Continue to bake until cake is set and slightly wobbly in the center, about 30 minutes more. Turn off oven ; leave cake in oven with door slightly ajar, 1 hour. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cool completely. Refrigerate, uncovered, at least 6 hours , overnight even better. Before unmolding, run a knife around the edge of the cake, between parchment and pan. Push the bottom up gently as side slides down.Peel parchment away from outside of cheesecake. Arrange the berries on top of cheesecake. Warm the blackberry jam to liquify and brush over top of berries. Dust with powdered sugar.

Key Lime Brownies

Key Lime Brownies

Brownie Layer:

6 oz. butter

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 1/4 oz. cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 1/2 oz. all-purpose flour

Graham Layer:

10 oz. graham crackers

pinch of salt

6 tablespoons packed brown sugar

8 tablespoons butter, melted

 

Key Lime Layer:

I used regular limes for this because of the accessibility.

4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

zest from 10 limes

2(14oz.) cans sweetened condensed milk

2 egg yolks

1 cup lime juice

 

Chocolate Layer:

1 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 lb. chopped chocolate

Brownie Layer:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9×13 inch pan with foil; leaving overage on ends to use as handle later. Spray lined pan with nonstick spray; set aside.

In a saucepan melt the butter. Remove from heat and whisk into the butter the cocoa, sugar and salt. Add the eggs and combine well. Mix in the flour. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes. The brownie base will not be fully cooked but slightly set. While brownies are baking prepare the graham layer. Evenly sprinkle the graham crumbs over the par cooked brownie layer. Press down slightly. Bake for another 15 minutes.

Graham Layer:

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the crackers and sugar until crumbly. Stir in the melted butter.

Key Lime Layer:

Make lime layer while graham brownie layers bake together.

Place all the ingredients in thew bowl of a food processor and blend until combined. Pour evenly over the graham layer and return to oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or just until sides begin to pull away from edge of pan. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

Chocolate Layer:

Heat the cream and sugar until sugar has dissolved. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chopped chocolate and stir until combined. Evenly spread over the lime layer and refrigerate until firm before cutting .

 

 

Lemon Raspberry Dream

This recipe will make at least one 9 inch, one 6 inch and two 4 inch cakes. It all depends on the size and shape of the cake rings(molds) used.

Almond Cake:

200 grams almond paste

230 grams butter,room temperature

60 ml honey

200 grams granulated sugar

6 eggs , room temperature

125 grams all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

zest from 3 large lemons or 2-3 tablespoons

Lemon Syrup:

1 cup sugar

juice from 3 lemons and enough water to equal 1 cup liquid

Lemon Filling:

9 grams unflavored granulated gelatin

4 eggs, room temperature

zest from 4 large lemons

240 ml fresh lemon juice

220 grams butter, room temperature

Lemon Cream Filling:

2 envelopes unflavored granulated gelatin

2 cups water

6 tablespoons sugar

2 cups marshmallow cream , fluff or homemade

2 cups of lemon filling

4 cups heavy cream

Seedless raspberry jam

Fresh raspberries

Cake

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line bottom of a half sheet pan or jellyroll pan with parchment paper and butter or spray with non stick spray the entire pan; set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the almond paste, honey, butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time , blending well after each addition. Stir in the lemon zest.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining dry ingredients. Fold into wet mixture until combined.

Transfer batter to prepared pan and spread out evenly with off set spatula.

Bake for about 20-30 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, turn cake out and carefully pull off parchment paper.

Lemon Syrup

Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring mixture to a boil. Remove from heat when sugar has been dissolved. Allow to cool completely.

Lemon Filling

Place gelatin in a small bowl. Add a little bit of water to dissolve gelatin. Add as much water as needed but not to runny consistency.

In a glass heat proof bowl, whisk together the sugar,eggs,zest and lemon juice until well combined. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water (double boiler, bain marie). Do not allow the water to touch the bottom of the bowl. Stirring constantly over the simmering water add the butter when mixture is warm. Continue to stir and cook until butter is melted and mixture has thickened to the consistency of ketchup or hollandaise sauce. Remove from heat and stir in the gelatin . Continue to stir the mixture until the gelatin has incorporated into the lemon mixture.

Pour mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. Cover the top of the strained mixture with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Set aside and let cool completely in the refrigerator.

Lemon Cream Filling

In a medium saucepan , combine the gelatin and 1 cup of water and allow to set 1 minute. Cook over low heat , stirring constantly until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the granulated sugar and remaining 1 cup of water and stir again until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.

In a bowl whisk together the marshmallow fluff and the 2 cups of the cooled lemon filling until combined. Whisk in the gelatin mixture. Place in the refrigerator until the mixture forms mounds when spooned.

In a mixing bowl beat the heavy cream until stiff. Fold into the thickened lemon mixture and combine thoroughly.

Assembly

Using a cake ring (rings ) or spring form pan, cut out cake circles from cooled cake.

Carefully place a cake circle into the cake ring. Gently brush lemon syrup over the cake. Line the outside edge with fresh raspberries. Spread some raspberry jam over the exposed cake and place randomly over cake some more raspberries. Spoon some of the lemon cream filling over the cake and raspberries and even out with spatula until level. Repeat process again until cake ring is just to the top leaving the top with lemon cream filling. Place cake in refrigerator to firm up. Once cake is firm spread a layer of lemon filling over the top of the cake. Using a flat edge of a knife or long spatula level the top of the cake with the top of the pan. Place plastic wrap over the top of the cake to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate overnight. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Pastry Cream AKA Creme Patissiere

Oh the love of pastry cream. This beautiful almost sinful delight has so many uses such as fillings for tarts,cakes,cream puffs and last but not least eclairs. Yum!!!

Pastry Cream

1 vanilla bean

1 2/3 cup whole milk

4 egg yolks

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 tablespoons butter

With a sharp knife split the vanilla bean lengthwise. Using the back of the knife carefully scrape the seeds from the bean and place into a saucepan. Toss the scraped bean into the saucepan as well. Add the milk to the sauce pan, over medium heat bring the milk and vanilla to a simmer. Turn off heat and cover tightly for 15 minutes to steep. Covering the milk and vanilla mixture is of great importance to the outcome of the pastry cream. If not covered, the finished pastry cream can be dry and not the wonderful supple cream it should be.

In a large bowl whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale yellow. Add the cornstarch to the whisked egg yolks and whisk until well combined. Once the milk has steeped the 15 minutes. Uncover and remove the vanilla bean. Pour about a third of the milk into the egg yolk mixture and whisk until combined. This is called tempering the eggs. Tempering warms the egg mixture to that of the milk , not shocking it. Without tempering you would end up with scrambled egg instead of a smooth pastry cream. Pour the tempered mixture into the saucepan of remaining milk. Whisking constantly over medium heat, cook until mixture just begins to boil and has thickened. Remove from heat and allow to sit for about 10 minutes and stir in butter until combined.

Place the pastry cream in a bowl and cover top with plastic wrap. Allow to cool. Refrigerate if not using right away,once cooled.

Don’t trow away the spent vanilla bean. It has much more life in it. Rinse it off and allow to dry. When the vanilla bean is dry , add to a jar of sugar and just sit back a wait for the magic to happen. In a few days you will have vanilla sugar. Yum!

Coconut Roll with Raspberry Sorbet

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

3 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups flaked coconut

1/3 cup potato flour

1 1/2 tsp.baking powder

Line a 12×16 sheet cake pan with parchment paper.

Beat eggs and sugar until light yellow and very thick.

Combine coconut, potato flour and baking powder and fold into egg mixture.

Spread evenly into pan.

Bake for about 5-10 minutes or until cake is cooked through.

Turn the cake out onto parchment paper sprinkled with powdered sugar. Remove the parchment cake was baked on and allow to cool.

Filling

3/4 cup coconut milk

1/2 cup half and half

1/4 tsp. vanilla

2 large egg yolks

3 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon butter

Bring half and half along with coconut milk to a boil in a small saucepan. Meanwhile whisk egg yolks, vanilla and sugar together and add flour, whisking well to combine.

Ladle a small amount of hot milk mixture into egg mixture , whisking to temper. Add egg mixture to remaining milk mixture and whisk in. Bring mixture back to boil, whisking until it thickens. Boil for 10 seconds longer, remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon butter, let cool.

Once filling is cool, spread onto cooled cake and roll up cake from shorter side, using parchment to gently roll. Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour prior to serving.

Raspberry Sorbet

One 16 oz. bag frozen raspberries, partially thawed

1/2 cup water

1 tsp. lemon juice

one 7 1/2 oz. jar marshmallow creme

In a food processor, combine berries, water and lemon juice. Process until berries are almost smooth, but some chunks of fruit remain. Add the marshmallow creme and process until blended. Pour into ice cream freezer and freeze according to your machines instructions. Store in airtight container in freezer to firm .