It’s Sunday, not Tuesday….
Had a little bit of a scare there yesterday. I went to publish my story and it wouldn’t save or publish. AHHHHHH! Lucky for me, I am married to a computer programmer so I stuck him on it while I went out for girls night. When I came back it was all fixed, sort of. We had to upgrade to the latest version of Wordpress…and now it is like I am learning all over again. Boo.
Anyway, it is that time again. Time for the Daring Bakers challenge. You might have thought it was Tuesday since this is indeed a Dorie recipe and is indeed from Baking From My Home to Yours but it is Sunday. This recipe was chosen by Morven of Food, Art and Random Thoughts. And before I forget a special thanks to Morven for sending me the coolest care package from New Zealand. First she sent me a fabulous magazine called Dish. Which I was confused by since it came with no note and a return address from a place of business. That was followed up by Apple Syrup(I am thinking about what to make with it), Quince Paste(which I will eat with cheese!) and two Cadbury Chocolate bars(one is already gone!). See awhile back I won a contest that was about food and art(two things I know about) and I guessed the most correct. So I got the cool package. You may be jealous now.
Okay, back to the cake. I only like going to weddings for one thing. Cake. And my favorite is always white cake with white buttercream frosting. So when I saw that this was basically what we were making with the Perfect Party Cake I was beyond excited. The original recipe calls for just buttercream and jam between the layers but as I was trolling the web I saw that Helen had made a lovely lime mascarpone mousse and I decided to do something with that. Except that mine is made with honey tangerines. Yes, I have been on a tangerine kick. No, don’t worry I don’t have scurvy…or should I be getting it anytime soon. If you have never seen a honey tangerine they do look a little different than a regular tangerine. They are larger and are honey in color and have usually blackish spots on them. But they have the wonderful taste of tangerines but a tad bit sweeter. And you know me, the sweeter the better.
I would make this cake again in a heartbeat. It uses my favorite type of buttercream, Swiss. Which reminds me…Rene, this is the type of buttercream you need to learn how to make! It is very versatile as you will see if you go around to the hundreds of Daring Bakers websites. I have seen combos I would have never thought of.
Perfect Party Cake
Words from Dorie
Stick a bright-coloured Post-it to this page, so you’ll always know where to turn for a just-right cake for any celebration. The original recipe was given to me by my great dear friend Nick Malgieri, of baking fame, and since getting it, I’ve found endless opportunities to make it – you will too. The cake is snow white, with an elegant tight crumb and an easygoing nature: it always bakes up perfectly; it is delicate on the tongue but sturdy in the kitchen – no fussing when it comes to slicing the layers in half or cutting tall, beautiful wedges for serving; and, it tastes just as you’d want a party cake to taste – special. The base recipe is for a cake flavoured with lemon, layered with a little raspberry jam and filled and frosted with a classic (and so simple) pure white lemony hot-meringue buttercream but, because the elements are so fundamental, they lend themselves to variation (see Playing Around), making the cake not just perfect, but also versatile.
For the Cake
2 1/4 cups cake flour (updated 25 March)
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ¼ cups whole milk or buttermilk (I prefer buttermilk with the lemon)
4 large egg whites
1 ½ cups sugar
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 stick (8 tablespoons or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ teaspoon pure lemon extract
For the Buttercream
1 cup sugar
4 large egg whites
3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 large lemons)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Finishing
2/3 cup seedless raspberry preserves stirred vigorously or warmed gently until spreadable
About 1 ½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
Getting Ready
Centre a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9 x 2 inch round cake pans and line the bottom of each pan with a round of buttered parchment or wax paper. Put the pans on a baking sheet.
To Make the Cake
Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Whisk together the milk and egg whites in a medium bowl.
Put the sugar and lemon zest in a mixer bowl or another large bowl and rub them together with your fingers until the sugar is moist and fragrant.
Add the butter and working with the paddle or whisk attachment, or with a hand mixer, beat at medium speed for a full 3 minutes, until the butter and sugar are very light.
Beat in the extract, then add one third of the flour mixture, still beating on medium speed.
Beat in half of the milk-egg mixture, then beat in half of the remaining dry ingredients until incorporated.
Add the rest of the milk and eggs beating until the batter is homogeneous, then add the last of the dry ingredients.
Finally, give the batter a good 2- minute beating to ensure that it is thoroughly mixed and well aerated.
Divide the batter between the two pans and smooth the tops with a rubber spatula.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cakes are well risen and springy to the touch – a thin knife inserted into the centers should come out clean
Transfer the cakes to cooling racks and cool for about 5 minutes, then run a knife around the sides of the cakes, unfold them and peel off the paper liners.
Invert and cool to room temperature, right side up (the cooled cake layers can be wrapped airtight and stored at room temperature overnight or frozen for up to two months).
To Make the Buttercream
Put the sugar and egg whites in a mixer bowl or another large heatproof bowl, fit the bowl over a plan of simmering water and whisk constantly, keeping the mixture over the heat, until it feels hot to the touch, about 3 minutes.
The sugar should be dissolved, and the mixture will look like shiny marshmallow cream.
Remove the bowl from the heat.
Working with the whisk attachment or with a hand mixer, beat the meringue on medium speed until it is cool, about 5 minutes.
Switch to the paddle attachment if you have one, and add the butter a stick at a time, beating until smooth.
Once all the butter is in, beat in the buttercream on medium-high speed until it is thick and very smooth, 6-10 minutes.
During this time the buttercream may curdle or separate – just keep beating and it will come together again.
On medium speed, gradually beat in the lemon juice, waiting until each addition is absorbed before adding more, and then the vanilla.
You should have a shiny smooth, velvety, pristine white buttercream. Press a piece of plastic against the surface of the buttercream and set aside briefly.
To Assemble the Cake
Using a sharp serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion, slice each layer horizontally in half.
Put one layer cut side up on a cardboard cake round or a cake plate protected by strips of wax or parchment paper.
Spread it with one third of the preserves.
Cover the jam evenly with about one quarter of the buttercream.
Top with another layer, spread with preserves and buttercream and then do the same with a third layer (you’ll have used all the jam and have buttercream leftover).
Place the last layer cut side down on top of the cake and use the remaining buttercream to frost the sides and top.
Press the coconut into the frosting, patting it gently all over the sides and top.
Serving
The cake is ready to serve as soon as it is assembled, but I think it’s best to let it sit and set for a couple of hours in a cool room – not the refrigerator. Whether you wait or slice and enjoy it immediately, the cake should be served at room temperature; it loses all its subtlety when it’s cold. Depending on your audience you can serve the cake with just about anything from milk to sweet or bubbly wine.
Storing
The cake is best the day it is made, but you can refrigerate it, well covered, for up to two days. Bring it to room temperature before serving. If you want to freeze the cake, slide it into the freezer to set, then wrap it really well – it will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer; defrost it, still wrapped overnight in the refrigerator.
Playing Around
Since lemon is such a friendly flavour, feel free to make changes in the preserves: other red preserves – cherry or strawberry – look especially nice, but you can even use plum or blueberry jam.
Fresh Berry Cake
If you will be serving the cake the day it is made, cover each layer of buttercream with fresh berries – use whole raspberries, sliced or halved strawberries or whole blackberries, and match the preserves to the fruit. You can replace the coconut on top of the cake with a crown of berries, or use both coconut and berries. You can also replace the buttercream between the layers with fairly firmly whipped sweetened cream and then either frost the cake with buttercream (the contrast between the lighter whipped cream and the firmer buttercream is nice) or finish it with more whipped cream. If you use whipped cream, you’ll have to store the cake the in the refrigerator – let it sit for about 20 minutes at room temperature before serving.
Adapted from Baking From My Home To Yours by Dorie Greenspan
Honey Tangerine Mascarpone Mousse:
2 eggs, separated
4 TB sugar
4 oz mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
5 ounces heavy cream
2 tsp. powdered gelatin + 2 TBS water
zest and juice of one honey tangerine
Sprinkle the gelatin over the water, stir and let sit to bloom. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the mascarpone with the sugar, add egg yolks and whisk until well incorporated. Heat the gelatin for about 10 seconds in the microwave and quickly whisk it in the mascarpone batter. Add the tangerine juice and zest. Whip the egg whites until stiff, fold into the mascarpone mixture. Whip the heavy cream to medium stiff peaks, and fold into the mascarpone.
Adapted from Tartelette
March 30th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Your cakes always are so cute and delicious looking! So Beautiful.
March 30th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Always I can expect the best here! Gosh how I love your creations Peabody!
I love how perfect this is, just pretty and just the right size!
Nice that the man can fixit!!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Gorgeous cake! This was my first challenge and I loved it and I’m usually not a big fan of cake. Sorry about the scare, I had it too. Blogger was going nuts!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Cute garnish with the strawberry on top, I like that. I’ve been on a major tangerine kick lately too. I never knew I liked them until a few weeks ago, and since then I’ve had one every day.
March 30th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Mmmmm … looks so good. I love the idea of a honey tangerine marscapone mousse.
March 30th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Your small cakes are so sweet looking! I think you’ve got a good idea doing the smaller size.
I gave half my cake away as it was too much for just the 2 of us.
Tartelette did small size cakes, and hers are darling. Also, a small cake layer takes less space in the freezer and thaws quicker too.
I am sold on this idea…unless there is a party that calls for a big cake!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Oh Peabody, I could just dive into those pillows of buttercream and not emerge for DAYS… I love the two flavour fillings too. I never can wait to see what you will do with our challenges!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Beautiful cakes, great job.
I’ve checked a few times to see if you’d posted, and for some reason my link to your blog (on my blogroll)is coming up with cookies from 2005? I hope it sorts itself out!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I have been eating honey tangerines like crazy lately. I didn’t think to bake with them, though - stupid me!! Your cake is gorgeous!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Gorgeous cake!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
What a awesome cake and I bet it tasted wonderful. Great job.
March 30th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Honey tangerine mascarpone mousse? *drool* And the cake looks amazing!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
This is possibly the cutest version I’ve seen thus far. I love the little balls of buttercream…
That mousse sounds amazing.
j
March 30th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I love your perfect party minicake. Beautiful job!
Clara
March 30th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
That sure is a purty cake!
March 30th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
your buttercream came out so smooth and soft looking! i love the different layers you used.
March 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
BEAUTIFUL (as usual!) I wish I could taste yours, it looks fantastic, great ideas on the filling!
March 30th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
How cute! I love your little piped spheres of buttercream, and what a creative idea for the filling!
March 30th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Beautful job on the cake, and beautiful picture!!
March 30th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Great cake! I love the alternating colors between the layers.
March 30th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Hey Kelly-Jane,
I took a look at your blogroll link. It is “http://www.culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com/C”. The new WordPress 2.5 does an automatic search. And the “C” is leading to the “C is for Cookie” post from 2005. Kind of a neat feature I guess
Hope this helps!
Justin Rudd
March 30th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
yum yum, that looks amazing! love the mousse idea for filling between the layers.
March 30th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Gorgeous!
I think I saw those tangerines at the store, the other day. I didn’t know what they were. There wasn’t a sign.
Wedding cake really is the best part of a wedding…
March 30th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I look forward to seeing what you do with the challenge each month. No surprise, it’s absolutely beautiful! You rock:)
March 30th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
They are adorable those lil cakes of yours! Honey tangerine mascarpone mousse? *swoon* I will SO be making that.. maybe for my next Perfect Party cake!
xoxoxoxoxo
March 30th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Just beautiful, Peabody, Just beautiful.
March 30th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I’m a fan of weddings for the open bar… That mousse sounds awesome!
March 30th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
THAT is a perfect party cake. so pretty.
March 30th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Your cake looks so tall and perfect! I’m going to have to try that mousse sometime…
March 30th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
The mousse filling is a great idea, much better than jam. Guess I need to raid my tangerine tree!
March 30th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Adorable cake! I love the idea of using the mousse as a filling. I just picked up some honey tangerines the other day. Why did I think of that!
March 30th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Beautiful. It is like a work of art.
March 30th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
It looks stunning!
March 30th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Your party cake looks quite PERFECT, and the mousse you used sounds absolutely amazing!!
March 30th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I can attest, it’s great being married to a computer geek! I am glad it worked out, because this baby NEEDED to be shared with the world! Your decoration is impeccable, and the texture looks fantastic. I could do some damage.
March 30th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Looks just wonderful! Beautiful decorating job!
March 30th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Your cake looks beautiful. I would love to try it with the tangerine layers. It’s funny that you mention weddings, because our wedding cake will be almost the same cake as Dorie’s version (and I’m marrying a computer geek too!).
March 30th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Looks fantastic!
March 30th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Your cake looks wonderful and your package from Morven sounds great! I didn’t even realise she was down my way!
March 30th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
WOW!!! This looks incredible!
March 30th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I was looking for you at midnight last night peabody. Sounds like you have fun with friends, though! The cake is so cute. I’m loving those dollops and need to check out the mascarpone mousse. YUM!
March 30th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
What great height you got! And i like the idea of filling it with something different.
Next time I’m going with amaretto!
March 30th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Great filling and flavor combos. What a stunning cake! Great job (as usual)
March 30th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Your posts never cease to amaze me. Your cake is just stunning!
Julius from Occasional Baker
March 30th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I am not sure how you would spell out the sound of drool, or if I can convey to you the seriousness of my lust for your version of this cake. You are awe inspiring! I can not wait to try your variation. Thank you for sharing you cake goddess you
Carrie
March 30th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Simply beautiful. Have to stop by your blog always… different and unusual as always. Love your blogs and the pics too.
March 30th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Honey tangerines, making a mental note now to check them out. Beautiful cake Pea!
March 30th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Nothing cuter than a wicked tiny layer cake. They are absolutely adorable.
March 30th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Love your pictures! Honey tangerine mascarpone mousse sounds amazing. I’m all about the alternative citrus right now.
March 30th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Hehehe! I am readig this eatin some remnants of that cream that I stuck in the freezer last week…I ber it was delicious with honey tangerines. I know what to bring if I meet you one day: a whole truck of mascarpone. We’d be both in baking heaven! The cake looks outstanding, nice, tall, fluffy, quite perfect!
March 30th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
what a gorgeous looking cake. I love that deep red of the preserve. Perfectly decorated too.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Beautiful cake. Your work is always so lovely!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
looking at your cake, I want to make the cake all over again and garnish it as you had done!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Your cake is beeoooootiful! (of course) I love the addition of tangerine. I’ll bet that is a wow flavor combination.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
So cute and beautiful! Simply PERFECT
March 30th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Love your modification of the recipe, and your cake is gorgeous! I especially like the big balls of icing.
March 30th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Cute mini Peabody. The butterecream recipe is truly a good one…almost good enought to lure me to a wedding, maybe. Love the honey tangerine mousse idea for filling. Tang and sweet both.
March 30th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
lovely cake! It came out great…i am amazed at all the variations!
March 30th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Your cakes are always superb! Great job again!
March 31st, 2008 at 12:21 am
Your cake looks very pretty and ever so perfect! Very well done, wow!
Cheers,
Rosa
March 31st, 2008 at 2:17 am
Ooh that mousse filling sounds good. My favorite is swiss buttercream too (because it’s the only kind I know how to make lol). Your buttercream looks so gloriously fluffy I want to lick my screen.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:30 am
Great photos as usuall and beautiful cake. Congrats.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:38 am
*swoon*
Love, love, love your filling! And your cake is just perfect-looking!
March 31st, 2008 at 5:07 am
It’s beautifully done! The mousse is a great addition, making this perfect cake even better! Lovely pictures, as usual
March 31st, 2008 at 5:15 am
This DB challenge has been lots of fun for those of us who don’t bake, because there are so many wonderful variations to read about. Yours is a beautiful cake!
March 31st, 2008 at 5:32 am
Pea, that is such a pristine cake…absolutely perfect…love the mousse idea
March 31st, 2008 at 5:55 am
Talk about a Perfect Party Cake! Yours is absolutely perfect! I bet teh mousse was a great addition!
March 31st, 2008 at 6:00 am
That is really beautiful! The mousse sounds heavenly, and I like your idea of using the jam in the middle instead of all the layers as it makes it look very attractive. Great job!
March 31st, 2008 at 7:03 am
Just a gorgeous end result. Marscarpone is such a fantastic idea in this. I have never heard of honey tangerine.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:25 am
your cakes always turn out so ‘bakery-window-perfect’! what size cake pan did you use for this cake and how did you adjust the baking time?
March 31st, 2008 at 7:28 am
Oh yesss, tall white elegant and tangerine, so gorgeous looking!
March 31st, 2008 at 7:49 am
How lovely! And you managed such clean slices too, of which I am envious.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:14 am
Yum this looks fantastic!
March 31st, 2008 at 8:15 am
Oh Wow! I feel sorry for all other cakes. That is the most gorgeous slice I have ever seen. Now I’m trying to think of what celebration I can make that for, though I know it wouldn’t look at all like THAT!
Bra-vo!
March 31st, 2008 at 8:18 am
Beautiful cake - I love your flavor combo, too!!
March 31st, 2008 at 8:34 am
Your cake looks divine! It would make a perfect wedding cake - I love how there is a perfectly red stripe of jam in the center.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:24 am
An absolutely stunning cake! Everything about the cake is PERFECT…& PRETTY all the way! You inspire me to try again…
March 31st, 2008 at 9:58 am
I need to start working my way through that book soon. Your cake looks wonderful!
March 31st, 2008 at 9:59 am
you’re so cute, with your tiny cake.
i love citrus mousses (i usually just make a curd, beat in mascarpone, and fold in whipped cream - i have a weird thing against gelatin), but i’ve never done a tangerine. it’s on the list now, baby!
March 31st, 2008 at 10:25 am
As always, beautiful. I one day strive to make my baking creations not only tasty but also incredible to look at. I’ll take any advice I can get
March 31st, 2008 at 11:01 am
Your cake has some very good height. And the honey tangerine marscapone mousse (what a mouthful -fnar fnar) would have made it from bowl to mouth (via spoon) without going near the cake if I were to have made that..
March 31st, 2008 at 11:13 am
Japan is late.
But it can eat cake.
Because, as your cake looks good.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:26 am
It’s so elegant, and it really sounds delicious. I’m sure even Dorie would be proud!
March 31st, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Wow! Look at that beautiful crumb! Next time I’m going to use the KA instead of the hand mixer! Just beautiful.
March 31st, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I am salivating. Yummy. I’m going to attempt this one. I love what you did with the strawberry on top.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Beautiful cake as usual!
March 31st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Your cake looks great! I like the sound of the honey tangerine mascarpone mousse!
March 31st, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I’m going to have top keep my eyes peeled for the elusive honey tangerine.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
As always your cake is PERFECT!!! mmmm tangerine mascarpone mouse.. I want some of that yuuuuuuuuuum!!!
Congratulations on another challenge!
March 31st, 2008 at 6:31 pm
well, this is surely a perfect party cake!
March 31st, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Beautiful little cake. So pretty and lovely photos too. Well done
April 1st, 2008 at 12:59 am
It looks perfect in every way! I wish both buttercream and this type of cake came that easy for me too! This is what I’m going to aspire to…
Beautiful!
April 1st, 2008 at 5:07 am
Your cakes are so cute. Wonderful job.
April 1st, 2008 at 6:34 am
It’s just a Dorie fest around here! And as pretty as always, I’m glad your hubbie was able to get everything sorted out for our viewing pleasure!
April 1st, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Peobody that cake is gorgeous!You need your own shop.
April 1st, 2008 at 3:40 pm
That mousse sounds amazing! Love the little cake and your twist on it. As always, your cake is the epitome of yum
April 1st, 2008 at 4:38 pm
So beautiful! And omg, tangerine marscapone mousse. You are a genius!
April 1st, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Lovely, lovely cake. Tangerine marscapone mousse… Can I come to your house for dinner/dessert?
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:01 am
I love the layers, and tangerine honey mousse? Sounds to die for!
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:23 am
I love wedding cake too! Your mousse filling was an excellent idea. At a friend’s recent wedding, they had cakes filled with champagne mousse and caramel mousse that were outrageously good. I wish I could do my wedding cake over again!
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:26 am
Woo hooo…. do I get a prize for being your 101st comment poster? Guess not!
Your desserts always look amazing, and this is no exception.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I think of all the “perfect birthday cakes” I have seen on other blogs, yours is the prettiest. It’s just beautiful.
April 6th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Sorry it took so long to get over here peabody. Your cake is amazing and perfect for that special occasion:D
April 7th, 2008 at 11:31 am
yummy lovely beautiful….
April 9th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
wow, the honey tangerine mascarpone mousse sounds amazing!! very beautiful cake!
April 15th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I made this buttercream last night…it was FABULOUS! My one question for you (as I am a caker) is if there is a suggestion for how to make it a little stiffer for piping, as the fluffy consistency wasn’t quite what I needed for some of my finish work. The flavor was awesome and as an all-over icing was great. Do you have a suggestion that will not ruin the integrity of this wonderful recipe?