A Flaming Christmas Cake Recipes

FLAMING CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Steps:

• To reheat the pudding, place an upturned saucer at the bottom of a large pan. Put the pudding basin on the saucer and pour hot water around to come three-quarters of the way up the sides of the pudding bowl. Cover and steam for 1-2 hours. Make sure the water doesn't all evaporate.
• Turn the Christmas pudding out onto a plate. Pour the brandy into a ladle and carefully warm over a low heat for 1 minute or so. Light the brandy using a long match and tip over the pudding just before serving with https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/brown-sugar-brandy-butter/ >brandy butter.

AUTHENTIC TRES LECHES CAKE RECIPE (FLAMING EYE GHOST CAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F/175C. Prepare a 9x13 pan.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.
• Separate eggs. Beat egg yolks with 3/4 cup [170g] sugar until color turns light yellow. Stir in milk and vanilla. Add to flour and stir carefully until combined. (Note - if using the metric conversion you might need to add a bit more flour.)
• Whip egg whites to soft peaks, adding 1/4 cup [50g] sugar while the mixer is still on. Continue whipping until egg whites form stiff peaks. Fold into batter until just combined.
• Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25-35 minutes. (My cake was done at 25 minutes). Stick a clean toothpick into the center to test doneness. If it comes out clean, it's done.
• Let the cake cook a bit, then remove it from the cake pan and place on a wire cooling rack.
• Mix together condensed milk, evaporated milk and 1/4 cup [60ml] heavy cream in a mixing bowl.
• Once cake is cool to the touch, you want to cut out a ghost shape from the rectangular cake. To do so, first place a toothpick in the center of the top short end of the cake. Then measure four inches down and place toothpicks on both sides of the cake. Cut the cake from the top toothpick to the lower toothpicks so there's a curve shape on both sides. Place the two cut pieces on either side of the cake facing up so they look like arms.
• Use a fork or knife to poke holes all over the body of the cake (not the arms). Pour 1 1/2-2 cups of the three milks mixture into a small pitcher and slowly pour over the body of the cake (not the arms). Make sure you cover the entire cake evenly, including the edges of the cake. Let the milk soak into the cake for 30 minutes.
• Whip the heavy cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar (optional) to stiff peaks. Frost entire cake (including arms) with whipped cream, swirling with a palate knife or spatula to create a ghost effect.
• Select, clean, and dry two empty egg shell halves. Place on the cake for eyes. Add one sugar cube to each egg shell. If you'd like, add a mouth using a thin licorice rope, M & Ms, chocolate sprinkles, black icing or chocolate chips. (I usually just leave it off.)
• When you're ready to serve the cake, pour a bit of lemon extract (or liquor) on each cube and light. Turn the lights off and enjoy your spooky cake!

A FLAMING CHRISTMAS CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Mix and bake cake according to directions on package,for a 10 inch fluted cake or tube pan. Cooking time on package. Cool cake 10 minutes,then finishing cooling on a rack. Then put an a serving platter.
• 2. Spread with whipped topping around side edges and along outer edge on the top of cake. Put in refrigerator, or freezer till serving time.
• 3. When ready to serve...heat cherry pie filling, spoon into the top center of cake. In a small long handled pan heat brandy, until vapors begin to rise. Light and pour flaming brandy onto cherries on the cake at the table. ...serve immediately!.. Magnificent! Be ready for delightful applause's and many compliments!!
• 4. For a real surprise for your guests, turn off the dining room lights, right before you flame the cake!! Merry Christmas to all!
• 5. Borrowed from DEE DEE What I wanted to say...Now I found the words..... Pièce de résistance (French pronunciation: [pj?s d? ?ezist??s]) is a French term (circa 1839), translated into English literally as "piece of (or for) resistance," referring to the best part or feature of something (as in a meal), a showpiece, or highlight. It can be thought of as the portion of a creation which defies (i.e. "resists") orthodox or common conventions and practices, thereby making the whole of the creation unique and special. The phrase gives the sense that the referred-to element is the most outstanding, notable, or defining of the collection.

AUTHENTIC CHRISTMAS PUDDING (FIGGY PUDDING)

Steps:

• Place the raisins, sultanas, currants, almonds, and candied citrus peel in a bowl. Pour the brandy over and stir to combine the mixture. Cover and let sit overnight to allow the brandy to fully penetrate the fruit.
• The next day, place the breadcrumbs, flour, baking powder, brown sugar, and spices in a bowl and stir to combine.In another bowl add the soaked dried fruit mixture, grated apple, black treacle, suet, lemon and orange zest, and egg. Stir to combine.Add the dry mixture to the fruit mixture and stir to thoroughly combine it. It will be thick and sticky.Generously butter your pudding mold (2 liter/3.5 pints mold) and scoop the batter into the mold, pressing down and smoothing the top.Cut a circle out of parchment paper the same diameter as the top of the pudding mold. Lightly butter the paper and place it, butter side down, on top of the batter. Next tear off two more pieces of parchment paper large enough to cover the to of the pudding mold and partially down the sides of the mold. If your pudding mold is small and the batter comes to the top of it, fold a pleat in the center of the parchment papers to allow room for expansion as the pudding cooks. Trim off excess paper.Secure the paper by folding down the sides and tying securely with a string (to make it easier you can secure it first with a rubber band while you're tying it and then remove the rubber band).Note: If your mold comes with a lid as mine does, I still like to adda layer of parchment paper before securing the lid.Bring a large pot of water to a very low simmer. Place a folded cloth or trivet on the bottom of the pot to prevent the pudding mold from coming in direct contact with the pot in order to prevent scorching.Lower the pudding mold down into the water on top of the folded cloth. The water level should come up to the halfway point of the pudding mold. Cover the pot with the lid.Steam the pudding over very low heat for approximately 8 hours. Check periodically to ensure the water level is still at the halfway point and add more water as needed.The longer the pudding steams the darker in color it will become.
• When the pudding is done steaming, carefully lift out the pudding mold and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then invert the pudding on a plate. Let it sit until the pudding slides out onto the plate. Let the pudding cool completely.To store, remove the parchment paper and wrap the pudding with clean parchment paper followed by aluminum foil. Wrap tightly. Store it in a cool, dark place, preferably a basement. If you do not have a cool, dark environment in your home you can keep it in the fridge but make sure it is tightly wrapped in two layers of plastic wrap and some aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Follow these same guidelines along with placing the pudding in a ziplock freezer bag to freeze the pudding. When you're ready to serve the pudding you will need to reheat it either by re-steaming it for 30-60 minutes or until heated through or you can also microwave it in a microwave safe container to keep the moisture in.You can light the pudding on fire just before serving (see blog post section on how to light a pudding) and then serve with Hard Sauce (i.e., brandy butter) or powdered sugar, whipped cream, vanilla custard, ice cream, or lemon sauce.

FLAMING YULE LOG CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 11-by-10-by-1-inch jelly roll pans with nonstick spray. Line each with parchment, then spray the parchment.
• In a large heatproof glass bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, vanilla, salt and eggs. Place the bowl over a saucepan with 1 inch of simmering water. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is warmed through, about 2 minutes. Pour the mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer) and beat until tripled in volume, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the chocolate and butter to a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring in between each, until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
• Add the flour and 1/2 cup of the cocoa powder to a sifter or fine-mesh sieve and sift into the egg mixture, then fold to combine. Pour the chocolate mixture into the batter and fold until it is completely combined, being careful not to overmix.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans (about 5 1/2 cups per pan). Use an offset or rubber spatula to smooth the tops. Bake until the cakes are set and a tester comes out clean, 15 to 18 minutes.
• While the cakes are baking, sift the confectioners' sugar and remaining 2 tablespoons cocoa powder onto 2 clean kitchen towels that are as least as large as the cake pans.
• For the filling: To make the ganache, add the chocolate to a medium heatproof bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir together until completely smooth.
• Transfer the ganache to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whip attachment. Whip on medium-high until lighter in color and slightly aerated, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer 2 tablespoons to a small bowl and reserve.
• When the cakes are done, immediately run a butter knife around the edges to loosen them from the pans. Invert each cake onto a prepared towel. Remove the pans and peel off the parchment. Roll up each cake starting with one long side and using the towel as an aid. Transfer the cakes in the towels to a wire rack until mostly cool, 20 to 30 minutes.
• When cool, unroll one of the cakes. Spread half of the ganache over the cake. Reroll the cake, using the towel to help. Remove the towel, place the cake on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze. Repeat with the remaining cake and ganache, adding it to the same baking sheet in the freezer. Freeze for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• For the topping: Stir together the gelatin and 1/3 cup cold water in the bowl of stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
• Combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt and 2/3 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved. (If any granules of sugar stick to the side of the pan, brush them back into the sugar-water mixture with a wet pastry brush.) Attach a candy thermometer to the pan and increase the heat to medium high. Cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, about 5 minutes.
• With the mixer on low, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the softened gelatin. Once all the syrup is added, increase the speed to high and whisk until the mixture is very thick and holds stiff peaks, about 20 minutes. Stir in the vanilla.
• Remove the cakes from the freezer. Cut a 2- to 3-inch diagonal piece from the top end of one of the logs and place it on top of the log at an angle, using the reserved ganache to attach it; this will be a branch.
• Transfer the topping to a piping bag with a long flat tip and pipe the topping onto each cake in lengthwise lines, covering the entire cake. Smooth out the lines with a small offset spatula. (You can also spread the icing straight on the cake instead of piping.) Use the back side of a fork to make small patches of lines and swirls across the length of each log, mimicking the pattern of bark. Return to the freezer for at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours.
• For the decorations: Meanwhile, prepare your fireplace. Place a roasting rack on a cast-iron griddle or large metal serving platter. Sprinkle the chocolate graham cracker crumbs underneath the rack and add a little confectioners' sugar to make the crumbs look like ash. Arrange the candy coal in the ash and add the gummies to resemble hot coals.
• When ready to serve: Remove the logs from the freezer and trim the ends to reveal the swirls. Place one frozen log in the roasting rack with the un-frosted bottom hidden. Use a kitchen blowtorch to char the marshmallow topping until it is deep brown. Place the second log on top of the first at an angle to look like logs in a fireplace and char with the kitchen blowtorch.
• Heat the brandy in a small saucepan over high heat until warm, about 30 seconds. Carefully carry the saucepan over to the Yule logs and light the brandy on fire using a long stick lighter. Pour the flaming brandy over the Yule logs and watch them burn. Slice and serve immediately.