Aarsis Ultimate Valentine Cake Recipes

VALENTINE COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast foams. Whisk in the salt and egg. Set aside.
• Measure the flour into a large mixing bowl or into the work bowl of a food processor. Cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Pour the liquid ingredients over the flour mixture. Mix lightly with a fork or use short pulses if using the food processor, until the flour is just moistened. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.
• When you're ready to shape the cake (you can shape the coffee cake, cover, refrigerate overnight, and bake it in the morning; or you can shape it, let it rise, and then bake it), remove the dough from the refrigerator.
• Lightly grease a baking sheet or cover with parchment paper.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to make a 15 inch circle about 1/3 inch thick. To fill the cake, brush with the melted butter. Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle over the dough. Sprinkle with the nuts.
• Roll up jelly roll fashion. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Fold the roll in half so that one half is on top of the other. Seal the open ends together. With a sharp knife, make a cut from the folded end lengthwise down the center of the roll, cutting from the top roll through to the bottom to within 2 inches of the sealed end. In so doing the folded end of the roll will separate out to form the two lobes of a heart shape. Spread out the two sides to expose the filling.
• Let rise, lightly covered, until puffy, about 45 minutes, or cover and refrigerate over night. If refrigerated, remove from the refrigerator 1 hour before baking so that the coffee cake can rise and come to room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until light brown. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
• In a small bowl, combine the icing ingredients. Drizzle over the warm coffee cake.
• Makes 1 heart shaped coffee cake.
• B. Ojakangas' Great Holiday Baking Book.

AARSI'S ULTIMATE VALENTINE CAKE

Steps:

• Method for Cake:
• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and 7 tablespoons of powdered sugar. Set aside.
• Using the paddle attachment, start beating the egg yolks in a bowl.
• While beating the eggs, very slowly add water. Combine well.
• Now slowly add the oil to create an emulsion (smooth consistency).
• Add the sifted flour mixture in several batches to form a smooth batter.
• Add the cardamom seeds. Mix for another ten-fifteen seconds. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, start beating egg whites while gradually adding seven tablespoons of powdered sugar.
• Beat until this mixture forms peaks and triples in volume.
• Gently, fold the egg whites into the egg yolk and flour batter. Do this in three batches and do not over mix.
• Pour the batter on to a 12" x 16" baking sheet, which has been coated with cooking spray and dusted with all-purpose flour.
• Place this tray on the top rack of the preheated oven.
• Bake until the cake tester comes out clean. It should take about ten to fifteen minutes, depending on the oven.
• When the cake is baked, take the baking sheet out of the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Bring to room temperature.
• Using a 3-inch cookie cutter cut 12 circles out of the cake sheet. Set them aside.
• Method for Rose Frosting:
• Start beating 1 Cup heavy whipping cream in a mixer bowl, using a whisk attachment.
• Once frothy, gradually add the powdered sugar.
• Once the sugar is combined, add the food color with the help of a toothpick.
• Add the rose water.
• Continue beating until it triples in volume and forms peaks.
• Place the frosting in a zip lock bag. Seal the bag to remove air. Push the frosting to one corner and snip that corner of the bag.
• Garnishing:
• Unsalted Shelled Pistachios, chopped.
• Edible Dried Rose Petals.
• Once, you have the frosting ready and the cake cooled, its time to get creative!
• Assembling:.
• Place one cake circle at the bottom of a glass bowl.
• Pipe the prepared frosting to cover this cake circle.
• Place another cake circle on top of this frosting and repeat part 2.
• Garnish with pistachios and rose petals.