Black Pepper Icing Recipes

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH BLACK PEPPER BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Make the cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 3 8-inch round baking pans, line the bottoms of each with a round of parchment paper and grease the paper. Use a little cocoa powder to coat the insides of the pans, rotating pans so the cocoa comes up the sides, then tap out excess.
• In a small bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and 2/3 cup boiling water. Whisk in milk. In a separate bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• In a large mixing bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, until incorporated. Beat in vanilla. With the mixer running on low speed, beat in a third of the dry ingredients, followed by half the cocoa mixture. Add remaining portions, alternating between two mixtures. Beat until smooth.
• Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake until the centers of the cakes are firm to the touch, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool cakes in their pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes; turn them out onto the rack to cool completely. (Peel off parchment paper if it sticks to the cakes.)
• Make the buttercream: Fill a medium pot halfway with water (or use a double-boiler) and bring to a simmer. In a heatproof bowl that fits over pot, whisk together egg whites, sugar and salt. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 140 degrees on a candy or instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes.
• Using an electric mixer, whip until completely cooled and thick, about 5 minutes. Beat in butter a little at a time, until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Beat in vanilla bean seeds and pepper.
• Using a serrated knife, slice each cake in half horizontally. Place one bottom layer on a large platter or cake stand. Top evenly with a thin layer of buttercream. Repeat, alternating between cake and frosting, ending with a layer of cake. Cover cake loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate while you prepare fudge frosting. (Cake can rest in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.)
• Make the frosting: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, heavy cream and salt. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sugar completely dissolves, about 5 minutes. Scrape mixture into a bowl. Stir in chocolate, butter and vanilla until smooth. Set bowl over a larger bowl filled with ice. Use a hand mixer or an immersion blender with the whisk attachment to whip until mixture is thick and cool, about 5 minutes. Spread frosting over the top and sides of the cake.

SPICED BLACK PEPPER CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the spiced black pepper cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners.
• Place the chocolate and water in a bowl. Let sit for 1 minute. Stir the chocolate mixture until smooth. Add the applesauce, sour cream, oil, vanilla and eggs. Beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the brownie mix, flour, granulated sugar, cocoa, pudding mix, pepper, cinnamon, baking powder and salt to the chocolate mixture. Mix until combined. Scoop the batter into the muffin tin, filling each cup three-quarters full. Bake until done, 21 to 23 minutes.
• For the icing: Whisk the heavy cream until stiff peaks form (be careful not to over beat, or the cream will be grainy). In another bowl, whisk together the mascarpone and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until combined.
• Frost the cupcakes with the icing.

BLACK PEPPER CAKE

Steps:

• Cream margarine until it resembles whipped cream.
• Add brown sugar and stir. Add white sugar and vailla. Beat well.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beat after each.
• Sift together dry ingredients. Add to mixture, alternating with buttermilk (put soda in buttermilk).
• Beat well and pour into greased and floured pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Bundt pans take about 40 minutes.
• If loaf pan us used,and can be, bake for 45 to 60 minutes at 325 degrees.