Last weekend was my Dad's 66th birthday, so we planned a nice barbecue for him. Unfortunately, they were unable to come at the last minute due to illness. Dessert was this almond layer cake with almond custard filling and cocoa frosting.
For years I have boycotted store-bought box cake mixes but this cake was probably one of the best 'white' cakes I have made. The texture was a fine crumb and very light. It was moist and soft. The almond flavoring in the cake was not overpowering. I think the addition of the sour cream is what actually did it for this cake. It made enough for a three layer cake.
White Almond Layer Cake
1 18 ounce package white cake mix
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/3 cups water
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoon almond extract
4 egg whites
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour cake pans.
2. Stir together the white cake mix, flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl until well mixed. Pour in the water, sour cream, vegetable oil, almond extract, and egg whites, and beat with an electric mixer on low until all ingredients are mixed and moistened but some lumps still remain, 4 minutes.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, and bake in preheated oven until the top is a light golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely before filling and frosting.
4. Divide filling in half. Spread half of the filling on the flat side of the first layer. Add second layer, flat side up and spread remaining half of filling. Add third layer. Place 3 wooden skewers through each of the layers to secure. Refrigerate until firm.
5. Remove cake from refrigerator and frost sides and top.
Almond Filling
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
4 eggs
4 tablespoons amaretto liqueur
Directions:
1. Combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan.
2. in a separate bowl beat eggs and mix together with milk. Stir into dry mixture.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring CONSTANTLY, until thick and bubbling.
4. Once it bubbles, cook 2 minutes more. STIR IT or it will lump up.
5. Remove from heat and add liqueur. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to chill completely before using.
Cooked Cocoa Frosting
For years I have boycotted store-bought box cake mixes but this cake was probably one of the best 'white' cakes I have made. The texture was a fine crumb and very light. It was moist and soft. The almond flavoring in the cake was not overpowering. I think the addition of the sour cream is what actually did it for this cake. It made enough for a three layer cake.
White Almond Layer Cake
1 18 ounce package white cake mix
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/3 cups water
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoon almond extract
4 egg whites
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour cake pans.
2. Stir together the white cake mix, flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl until well mixed. Pour in the water, sour cream, vegetable oil, almond extract, and egg whites, and beat with an electric mixer on low until all ingredients are mixed and moistened but some lumps still remain, 4 minutes.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, and bake in preheated oven until the top is a light golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely before filling and frosting.
4. Divide filling in half. Spread half of the filling on the flat side of the first layer. Add second layer, flat side up and spread remaining half of filling. Add third layer. Place 3 wooden skewers through each of the layers to secure. Refrigerate until firm.
5. Remove cake from refrigerator and frost sides and top.
Almond Filling
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
4 eggs
4 tablespoons amaretto liqueur
Directions:
1. Combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan.
2. in a separate bowl beat eggs and mix together with milk. Stir into dry mixture.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring CONSTANTLY, until thick and bubbling.
4. Once it bubbles, cook 2 minutes more. STIR IT or it will lump up.
5. Remove from heat and add liqueur. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to chill completely before using.
Cooked Cocoa Frosting
Cook together:
1 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
Stir over medium low heat until smooth and thick. Cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
Then add:
1/2 pound butter; softened
1/2 pound shortening ( ½ cup)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons dutch-process cocoa
Mix on high speed with mixer until light and fluffy. Chill until firm and spreadable.
I would be in the kitchen making that cake right now if I hadn't just made a Lemon Meringue Cake for a birthday tomorrow night. Next birthday I will try this cake. It looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteOh My Gosh that looks delicious!!! I'm allergic to dairy so I will be using Blue Diamond almond milk to make your recipe.. should just add to the yummieness! I'm thinking that I'll chop some almonds and press them into the sides too. I just love almonds ~ this will be on my sideboard very soon! Thanks for sharing your recipe :)
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