Burnt Sugar Icing Recipes

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH BURNT SUGAR FROSTING

Steps:

• 1. FOR CAKE: Combine the cocoa with 1/3 cup sugar; pour into the scalded milk gradually, stirring constantly until well blended. Set aside to cool.
• 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, remaining 1 cup sugar, soda, and salt. Add the shortening and half of the cooled cocoa and milk mixture. Beat at medium speed of an electric mixer. Add eggs, vanilla, and remaining cocoa and milk mixture. Continue beating for about 2 minutes, scraping bowl with a spatula occasionally.
• 3. Pour cake batter into a greased 9x13x2" cake pan and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool and frost.
• 4. FOR FROSTING: mix the brown sugar with 2 Tbsp. milk in a medium saucepan. Over low heat bring to a ROLLING boil. Remove from heat. Add the butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Beat until cool and then frost the cake. If frosting is too thick, you can add a little more milk.

BURNT SUGAR CAKE (BETTY CROCKER: CIRCA 1956)

Steps:

• Syrup: To make syrup first caramelize the 1/2 cup sugar in a heavy skillet over low heat until clear and medium brown, shaking pan gently to keep from burning.
• Remove from heat.
• Add slowly, stirring constantly, 1/2 cup boiling water.
• Stir over low heat until lumps are dissolved.
• Measure and add water to make 1 cup liquid.
• Cool.
• Cake: Sift together into bowl, 2 1/4 cups sifted Softasilk flour, 1 cup sugar, 3 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt.
• Add 1/2 cup soft shortening and 2/3 cup cooled caramel-water mixture.
• Beat 2 minutes.
• Add remaining 1/3 cup cooled caramel-water mixture, 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
• Beat 2 more minutes.
• Pour into greased and floured pans (2 8-inch pans, or 2 9-inch pans, or 1 9 X 13 oblong pan).
• Makes a small cake.
• Bake until cake tests done.
• Cool.
• Finish with Creamy Burnt Sugar Icing.
• Preheat 350°F (moderate oven) 8-inch layers 30-35 minutes 9-inch layers 25-30 minutes oblong 9 X 13 35-40 minutes.
• Creamy Burnt Sugar Icing: First make another caramel sugar-water mixture following directions in recipe above.
• Caramelize 1/2 cup sugar.
• Add 1/4 cup boiling water.
• DO NOT ADD any more water!
• Melt in saucepan 1/2 cup shortening (part butter).
• Remove from heat and add 2 1/2 tablespoons Softasilk flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Stir in slowly caramel-water mixture.
• Bring to boil stirring constantly.
• Boil 1 minute.
• If mixture curdles, do not be alarmed.
• Remove from heat.
• Beat in alternately, 3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar and about 3 tablespoons water.
• Set saucepan in bowl of cold water.
• Beat until consistency to spread.
• Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
• If it becomes too thick to spread, add a little water.

BURNT-SUGAR CAKE WITH CARAMEL FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 cup sugar slowly in a small saucepan, stirring constantly.
• When sugar is melted and begins to smoke add boiling water slowly and carefully stirring constantly.
• Continue cooking until syrup measures 1/2 cup, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, cream butter well; add 1 cup sugar gradually, beating until light and fluffy.
• Add vanilla, then egg yolks one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.
• Stir in cold caramel syrup.
• Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with milk, beating until smooth.
• Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry.
• Fold into flour mixture.
• Pour batter into three round 9 inch layer pans, 1 inch deep, lined on the bottom with paper, then greased.
• Bake in moderate oven, 375 degrees, for about 20 minutes.
• Let stand for 5 minutes, then turn out on racks to cool.
• Spread Caramel Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.
• Caramel Frosting: Mix butter, cream, brown sugar and salt in saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat; add vanilla.
• Then add gradually enough sifted confectioner's sugar to make frosting of speading consistency.