Oaxacan Wedding Cake Recipes

GERMAN WEDDING CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
• Prepare the cake mix according to package instructions.
• In a large bowl, combine the cake batter with the coconut and pecans. Stir until just mixed.
• In a small saucepan, combine the cherries, brandy and simple syrup. Place the mixture over medium-low heat and simmer until the liquid is reduced to a thick syrup. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Pour half the cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Top with the cherry mixture. Pour the remaining cake batter over top and smooth lightly. Bake the cake according to package instructions, about 35 minutes, adding a few minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clear of batter. Let the cake cool a few minutes before slicing.
• For the garnish: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream and butter over medium-low heat. When the cream is just up to a simmer, remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
• Slice the cake and drizzle the melted chocolate over each slice. Garnish with a few whole cherries and some chopped chocolate.

OAXACAN WEDDING CAKE

Steps:

• With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Butter and line an 8-inch (20-cm) springform pan with parchment paper.
• For the batter: In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In another bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until the mixture is very light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. On low speed, add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk and vanilla.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool for 10 minutes. Unmold and cool completely on a wire rack.
• For the coffee chantilly: In a large bowl, whisk the cream with the powdered sugar, coffee and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Set aside.
• For the strawberries: Toss the strawberries with the granulated sugar and vanilla seeds.
• To assemble the cake, spread half of the coffee chantilly in the center of one slice of cake. Garnish with half of the sliced strawberries and half of the chopped walnuts. Layer with a second slice of cake and repeat with the remaining chantilly. Garnish with whole fresh strawberries and walnuts.

OAXACAN CHOCOLATE MOCHA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. Place a large heatproof mixing bowl over simmering water, or on the top of a double boiler. Stir together chopped chocolate and butter, until melted. Remove from the heat. Place a mixing bowl over warm tap water. Add eggs and beat with an electric mixer, until light in color and tripled in volume, about 3 minutes at medium speed and then high speed for another 5 minutes. Gently fold half of the eggs into the chocolate mixture.
• Then fold in espresso beans. Add the remaining eggs, folding gently, until a few streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix. Pour batter into the cake pan. Place cake pans in a bain marie (water bath). Place in the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Cover the cake pan with aluminum foil and bake, still in the bain marie, and additional 10 minutes. Set aside to cool on a rack for 45 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours, to overnight. Turn oven down to 350 degrees. On a baking sheet spread pecan halves. Toast until golden, about 10 - 15 minutes. Set aside to cool. To remove cake from pan, place the pan over a low burner for a moment or two. Run a sharp knife around the inside edge to loosen the cake. Invert onto a platter.
• Whisk the crema or creme fraiche with the sugar and vanilla until peaks form. Pile the stiff cream on the chocolate cake. Then, using a spatula, spread it out to the edges to make a thick even layer of cream over the top, being careful not to drip the white cream onto the sides of the cake. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set. Arrange pecan halves on top of the cream to form a circle around the outside edge. Dip your fingertips or a fork into the melted chocolate and drizzle over the center in a free-form pattern. Refrigerate until serving time. The finished cake can be held overnight.
• In large bowl whisk together cream and buttermilk. Cover and set in a warm place (a gas oven with just the heat from the pilot light for example) for 8 hours. Place in refrigerator. Can be kept for up to a week.

HAWAIIAN LEI WEDDING CAKE

Steps:

• For the butter cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 12-inch round cake pans, three 8-inch round cake pans and three 6-inch round cake pans with butter and line with parchment. Set aside.
• In 2 batches, using half of the ingredients for each batch (see Cook's Note), whisk together the milk, vanilla and egg whites in a bowl and set aside. Mix the cake flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in the bowl of stand mixer. Add the butter cubes and continue beating on low for 1 to 2 minutes. Add about half of the milk mixture and beat at medium speed for 1 1/2 minutes. Add the remaining milk mixture and beat for about 1 minute.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake until the cakes are light golden brown and bounce back when lightly pressed in the center, 12 to 15 minutes for the 6-inch pans, 15 to 20 minutes for the 8-inch pans and 25 to 30 minutes for the 12-inch pans. Let the cakes cool for about 5 minutes in the pans, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely before assembling, 25 to 30 minutes.
• For the coconut-rum syrup: Combine the cream of coconut and rum in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
• For the passionfruit buttercream: Cream together the powdered sugar, butter, passionfruit puree and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Continue beating until thick and creamy.
• For the American buttercream: Cream together the powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, heavy cream and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Continue beating until thick and creamy.
• For the gum paste flowers: Lightly sprinkle cornstarch on a wood board and roll the gum paste out very thinly. Using a flower cutter, cut out flower shapes. Place the flowers in the cups of a mini muffin tin that has been lightly dusted with cornstarch. Let dry for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Mix each gel food color with about 1 tablespoon of vodka until the desired color is achieved. Paint the dry flowers with the food-coloring paint, then let dry completely.
• Cake Assembly:
• For the 12-inch tier: Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the top of one 12-inch layer with the coconut-rum syrup. Spread the first layer with enough passionfruit buttercream to achieve a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Top with a second cake layer and repeat with the coconut-rum syrup and passionfruit buttercream. Top with the third layer and brush with the syrup. Stabilize the tier with straws or dowels. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or longer if possible.
• For the 8-inch tier: Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the top of one 8-inch layer with the coconut-rum syrup. Spread the first layer with enough passionfruit buttercream to achieve a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Top with a second cake layer and repeat with the coconut-rum syrup and passionfruit buttercream. Top with the third layer and brush with the syrup. Stabilize the tier with straws or dowels. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or longer if possible.
• For the 6-inch tier: Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the top of one 6-inch layer with the coconut-rum syrup. Spread the first layer with enough passionfruit buttercream to achieve a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Top with a second cake layer and repeat with the coconut-rum syrup and passionfruit buttercream. Top with the third layer and brush with the syrup. Stabilize the tier with straws or dowels. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or longer if possible.
• Once the cakes are chilled, crumb-coat each tier with the American buttercream frosting. Chill each tier for at least 1 hour. After chilling, apply a final coating of the American buttercream frosting using a decorative technique or by completely smoothing the top and sides of the cakes. Chill the completely frosted tiers again.
• Place the 12-inch tier on a 14-inch cake drum. Gently place and center the 8-inch tier on top of the 12-inch tier. Repeat with the 6-inch tier. Using more buttercream placed in a pastry bag with a round number 10 tip, pipe a decorative bead border along the bottom of each tier.
• Once the cake is assembled, use buttercream frosting to affix the gum paste flowers to the cake in a cascading arrangement (or as desired).

MEXICAN WEDDING CAKES II

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
• Mix all the ingredients together with a mixer until well blended. Roll dough into round small balls.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Cool completely then roll in additional confectionary sugar.

TUSCAN COUNTRY CHOCOLATE WEDDING CAKE

Steps:

• For assembly:
• one 8-inch cardboard round.
• one 6-inch cardboard round
• three 8-inch plastic straws
• Make cake layers:.
• Preheat oven to 350°F and line 2 buttered 7- by 2-inch round cake pans and 2 buttered 9- by 2-inch round cake pans with rounds of wax paper. Butter paper and dust pans with flour, knocking out excess.
• Put cocoa powder in a bowl and whisk in boiling water in a stream until smooth. Stir in chopped chocolate and let stand 5 minutes. Stir mixture until smooth and chocolate is melted and cool mixture. Whisk in sour cream and vanilla.
• Into a bowl sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. In large bowl of a standing electric mixer beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy and add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down side of bowl. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and cocoa mixture alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating until batter is combined well.
• Pour 2 cups batter into each 7-inch pan and smooth tops. Divide remaining batter between 9-inch pans (about 33/4 cups each) and smooth tops. In middle and lower thirds of oven arrange one 9-inch layer and one 7-inch layer on each rack, putting 7-inch layers in front part of oven. Bake 7-inch layers 25 to 30 minutes and 9-inch layers 35 to 40 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering. Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert cakes onto racks. Peel off paper and cool cakes completely. Cake layers may be made 2 days ahead and kept at cool room temperature, wrapped well in plastic wrap, or 2 weeks ahead and frozen, wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil. Defrost cake layers (without unwrapping) at room temperature.
• Make ganache:.
• In a small saucepan bring cream just to a boil. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate, butter, zest, and liqueur. Let ganache stand 3 minutes and whisk until chocolate is melted. Chill ganache just until cool, about 40 minutes.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat ganache just until light and fluffy before using (do not overbeat or it will become grainy).
• Assemble cake:.
• Put one 9-inch layer on 8-inch cardboard round and spread evenly with 2 cups ganache. Top with remaining 9-inch layer and gently press layers together to form an even tier. Put one 7-inch layer on 6-inch cardboard round and top with remaining ganache and remaining 7-inch layer in same manner.
• Frost top and sides of 9-inch tier with some buttercream and chill while frosting 7-inch tier. Chill both tiers until buttercream is firm.
• Cut straws in half and insert 1 straw piece all the way into center of 9-inch tier. Trim straw flush with top of tier and insert remaining 5 straw pieces in same manner in a circle about 1 1/2 inches from center straw. Center 7-inch tier (still on cardboard) on top of 9-inch tier. Fill in any gaps between tiers with buttercream and transfer cake to a cake stand or platter. Chill cake at least 6 hours and up to 1 day.
• Arrange fraises des bois and roses decoratively on top and around sides of cake. Let cake stand at cool room temperature (buttercream is sensitive to warm temperatures) 2 to 4 hours before serving. Serves about 30 (including top tier).
• Make orange curd:.
• In a small heavy saucepan whisk together yolks and sugar and whisk in orange juice, butter, and a pinch salt. Cook mixture over moderately low heat, whisking, until it just reaches boiling point, 5 to 7 minutes (do not let boil), and strain through a fine sieve into a bowl. Whisk in lemon juice and cool curd, its surface covered with plastic wrap. Chill orange curd, covered, until cold, at least 4 hours, and up to 2 days.
• Make buttercream:.
• In a heavy saucepan bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil syrup, undisturbed, until it registers 248°F on a candy thermometer. While syrup is boiling, in large bowl of a standing electric mixer beat whites with a pinch salt until foamy and beat in cream of tartar. Beat whites until they just hold stiff peaks and beat in hot syrup in a stream (try to avoid beaters and side of bowl). Beat mixture at medium speed until completely cool, 15 to 20 minutes. Beat in butter, 1 piece at a time, and beat until thickened and smooth. (Buttercream will at first appear very thin and at some point look like it is breaking but, as more butter is beaten in, it will thicken and become glossy and smooth.) Beat in orange curd, salt, and zest until smooth. Buttercream may be made 4 days ahead and chilled in an airtight container or 2 weeks ahead and frozen in an airtight container. Bring buttercream completely to room temperature (this may take several hours if frozen) and beat before using. (If buttercream is too cold when beaten it will not be glossy and smooth.) Makes about 8 cups.
• Note: A cake-decorating turntable is extremely helpful for assembling and decorating a wedding cake.
• Decoration: fraises des bois (wild strawberries) and small roses with some leaves attached (both fruit and flowers must be nontoxic and pesticide-free).

WEDDING CAKE

Steps:

• sift together flour, bp and salt twice.
• beat egg whites until foamy.
• add 6 Tbs sugar, 1Tbs at a time beating until mixture stands in soft peaks.
• cream shortening, add 1 2/3 cup sugar, cream until light and fluffy, add vanilla and almond extract.
• Add flour mixture alternately with milk, beating after eah addition until smooth.
• Add egg whites and beat for one minute until smooth.
• Grease pans two nine inch square pans or one 13x9x2.
• Bake in moderate oven 350, square pans take 30 to 40 min oblong pan 35 to40.
• Cool cake on racks 10 minute.
• Loosen from sides of pan turn right side up to cool.
• To keep from drying cover or wrap cake as soon as cooled.
• Make recipe 5 times to serve 100 guest.
• When cake is assembled frost the sides of whole cake.
• Start at the top and work toward bottom layers.
• Ornamental frosting: 12 cup butter 1/2 tsp salt 12 cup confectioners sugar sifted 5 egg whites unbeaten 1/2 cup cream 2 tsp vanilla.
• Cream butter, add salt gradually add about 1 cup of the sugar, blending well.
• Add creaming sugar alternately with egg whites. Cream until right consistency to spread.
• Aply a thin glaze to cake before frosting to anchor crumbs.
• Make glaze by adding hot water to some of the frosting.
• About 1 tbs water to 1 cup frosting.
• To tint frosting add about 1/4 tsp food color with 1 tbs frosting, add small amounts of this to your base frosting.
• Tint enough to frost whole cake as it is hard to match colors with another batch.

OAXACAN WEDDING CAKE

Steps:

• With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Butter and line an 8-inch (20-cm) springform pan with parchment paper.
• For the batter:.
• In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In another bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until the mixture is very light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. On low speed, add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk and vanilla.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool for 10 minutes. Unmold and cool completely on a wire rack.
• For the coffee chantilly:.
• In a large bowl, whisk the cream with the powdered sugar, coffee and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Set aside.
• For the strawberries:.
• Toss the strawberries with the granulated sugar and vanilla seeds.
• To assemble the cake, spread half of the coffee chantilly in the center of one slice of cake. Garnish with half of the sliced strawberries and half of the chopped walnuts. Layer with a second slice of cake and repeat with the remaining chantilly. Garnish with whole fresh strawberries and walnuts.