Espresso Cakes With Pumpkin Filling And White Chocolate Curls Recipes

CHOCOLATE CURLS

Steps:

• Place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl with the vegetable shortening. Throw it in the microwave until the shortening is melted and hot, 30 to 45 seconds. Stir with a fork to combine thoroughly.
• Next, pour the melted chocolate over the underside of a clean cookie sheet. Then, with an offset spatula or a knife, spread the chocolate in a thin layer. Keep going until it's very, very thin. Then...and this is the key...stick it in the freezer for a few minutes.
• After a few minutes, check that the chocolate is ready by pressing it with your finger tip; it should leave the slightest mark, but not an actual depression.
• Next, get a somewhat sharp-edged spatula and begin to scrape the chocolate from the bottom of the pan. When the chocolate is just the right temperature, it'll curl instead of break. If it gets too soft, stick it back in the freezer for a minute.
• Pretty soon you'll have a bunch of fun little chocolate curls.
• Important: As soon as possible, transfer the curls to a cold pan or plate, and then stick them in the freezer to harden. Store in the freezer in a zip-top bag until you need them. Use them to adorn pies, cakes or platters of fruit. You'll feel instantly fancy!

WHITE CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO-VODKA MARTINIS

Steps:

• Combine the water and espresso powder in a large measuring cup. Whisk to dissolve. Set aside to cool. Pour into 2 ice cube trays. Freeze until solid, at least 8 hours. Transfer the ice cubes to a resealable plastic bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 days.
• Combine the half-and-half and white chocolate in a small bowl. Place over a small pan of barely simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Cool the chocolate mixture, whisking occasionally. Scrape the chocolate mixture into a blender. Add the vodka, sugar, vanilla and espresso ice cubes. Blend until smooth, at least 1 minute.
• Pour into 4 large martini glasses. Garnish with grated white chocolate, if using, and serve.

PUMPKIN SPICE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE-PECAN FILLING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter two 9-inch-round cake pans; line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice and salt in a large bowl; set aside. Combine the pumpkin, sugar, orange zest and vanilla in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each one is incorporated. With the mixer running, add the vegetable oil in a steady stream. Add the flour mixture and mix just until incorporated. Divide the batter between the 2 prepared pans; lightly tap the pans on the counter to distribute the batter.
• Transfer the pans to the oven and bake until the cakes begin pulling away from the pans and the centers spring back when lightly pressed, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 10 minutes in the pans, then unmold onto the rack and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a large deep saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer and cook, without stirring, until deep amber, about 8 minutes. Carefully whisk in the cream and cook, whisking, until smooth. Add the corn syrup and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from the heat; whisk in the butter, chocolate, vanilla and salt until smooth. Let cool completely, then fold in the pecans. Cover and refrigerate until firm but spreadable, about 1 hour.
• Assemble the cake: Cut each cake in half horizontally with a serrated knife to make 4 layers. Put 1 layer on a platter; spread one-third of the pecan filling on top. Layer the remaining cakes and filling on top, ending with cake. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.
• Make the glaze: Combine the chocolate, cocoa powder, butter and honey in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave 1 minute; uncover and whisk until smooth. Let cool to room temperature, then spread on the cake, letting the excess drip down the sides. Refrigerate until the glaze sets, about 10 minutes.

ESPRESSO FILLING

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix espresso powder and water until smooth; cool. In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese, confectioners' sugar, cream, vanilla and espresso mixture on medium speed until creamy and slightly thickened (do not overmix). Spread between cake layers.

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line two 6-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Lightly grease and set aside.
• Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together coconut oil, sugar, espresso powder, eggs, and vanilla until well combined. On low speed alternate adding dry flour mixture and milk. Add about 1/3 of flour, following with 1/2 of milk. Add another 1/3 of flour and remaining milk. Scrape down bowl as needed to ensure thorough mixing. Add sour cream and remaining flour. Mix on low speed until there are no longer any streaks of dry flour.
• Divide batter between prepared cake pans. Level batter. Bake for 28-30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Allow cake to cool in pan for 5 minutes before unmolding. Allow cakes to cool to room temperature on wire rack.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together egg whites and sugar. Place bowl of a pot of simmer water to create a double boiler. Make sure simmering water does not touch the bowl. Heat sugar egg mixture until it reaches a temperature of 160ºF, whisking often to ensure even heating. Alternatively, if you don't have a thermometer, heat until all the sugar has melted. You can test this by rubbing mixture between your fingers. The mixture should be smooth. You should not be able to feel the granules of sugar.
• Return bowl to stand mixer. Using a whisk attachment, beat mixture at medium speed until it has cooled to 75ºF (about room temperature). Add in espresso powder and salt. Reduce speed to low and add butter one tablespoon at a time. Once all the butter has been added, increase speed to medium-high and continue to beat until buttercream is light and fluffy.
• Once cake is cooled, slice each cake into two equal layers. To build the cake, place one layer on a serving platter or cake turntable. Spread a layer of espresso buttercream. Place another cake layer on top and repeat until you have the fourth cake layer on top. Spread a thin layer of buttercream around the sides of the cake to seal in the crumbs (crumb coat). Place in the fridge and allow to chill for 15 minutes to set the buttercream.
• If desired, coat cake with another layer of buttercream. Drizzle melted chocolate along sides of the cake. Place remaining buttercream in a pipping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe large stars on top surface of cake. Decorate with coffee beans.
• Keep cake chilled until ready to serve. Allow cake to warm to room temperature before eating.

WHITE PUMPKIN CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 6 count "muffin" Bundt pan and a 12-count "brownie" Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. If you do not have bunt pans regular muffin pans can be used. Blend quick bread mix with water or apple cider, oil and eggs. Blend until smooth. Pour batter into pans. Bake until golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 12 to 14 minutes for "brownie" pan, 15 to 18 minutes for "muffin" pan. Transfer to a rack and cool completely. ;
• For the icing: In a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, the orange liquor and blend with a whisk until smooth. Transfer icing to a large re-sealable plastic bag and snip the corner of the bag off with a pair of scissors. Drizzle the icing over each cake and sprinkle with sanding sugar.

ESPRESSO CAKES WITH PUMPKIN FILLING AND WHITE CHOCOLATE CURLS

Steps:

• Arrange sponge cakes on a serving plate. Spoon 1 tablespoon espresso into each cake, allowing it to absorb coffee. Spoon 1/3 cup pumpkin filling into each cake. Using a vegetable peeler, peel white chocolate into curls. Sprinkle curls over pumpkin and serve.