Chocolate Topped Almond One Layer Cake Recipes

CHOCOLATE ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan and line with parchment paper.
• Combine the chopped chocolate and coffee or rum in a small bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir as the chocolate melts and remove from heat as soon as it's smooth. Set aside to cool.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and 2/3 cup sugar until pale and creamy. Add the 3 egg yolks and beat until thick. Add the cooled melted chocolate. Stir in the almond extract and almond meal/flour and mix until just combined.
• In a separate bowl and with a whisk attachment, whip the 3 egg whites and salt on high speed until foamy. Slowly add the tablespoon of sugar and whip to stiff peaks.
• Add ¼ of the whipped egg whites to the batter and fold gently until combined. Add and fold in the remaining whites in 3 additions, alternating with the sifted cake flour. Fold only until the streaks of egg whites disappear, do not overmix.
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake until the edges are set but the center still jiggles when the pan is bumped, about 25 minutes.
• Let cool 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges to remove cake from pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
• Combine the chopped chocolate and coffee or run in a small bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir as the chocolate melts and remove from heat as soon as it's smooth.
• Add the butter a tablespoon at a time and use a whisk to beat it into the chocolate. Whisk until smooth.
• Let the icing cool to a spreadable consistency, stirring it every 5 minutes or so. It should take about 15-20 minutes, depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
• Spoon the icing on top of the cooled cake and spread it to cover. Garnish with slivered almonds.

ALMOND LAYER CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust with flour, tapping out the excess. Pulse 2 cups flour, the baking powder, salt and almonds in a food processor until the nuts are finely ground into a powder, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk the egg whites, milk, and vanilla and almond extracts in a medium bowl until combined.
• Beat 1 stick butter and the granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour, until just combined.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool in the pans. (The cakes can be frozen, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 2 weeks. Unwrap and thaw at room temperature.)
• Make the frosting: Microwave the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring, until melted; set aside. Beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 4 minutes. Gently fold in the melted white chocolate with a rubber spatula. (The frosting can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 2 days. Beat with a mixer to soften just before frosting the cake.)
• Assemble the cake: Loosen the edges of the cakes with a knife, then invert 1 layer onto a platter and peel off the parchment. Spread 1 to 1 1/2 cups frosting on top. Remove the other layer from the pan, peel off the parchment and carefully place on top of the first layer. Cover the top and sides of the cake with a thin layer of frosting (this is the "crumb coat"; it doesn't have to be perfect). Chill 15 minutes, then cover with the remaining frosting and decorate with nonpareils.

COCONUT-ALMOND LAYER CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and dust with cake flour, tapping out the excess; set aside.
• Whisk the cake flour, almond flour, baking powder and salt in a separate large bowl; set aside. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla and coconut extracts. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until just combined.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 10 minutes in the pans. Run a thin knife around the edges of the cakes and gently turn out onto the rack; remove the parchment and let cool completely.
• Make the frosting: Put the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted and smooth; let cool slightly. Combine the butter, confectioners' sugar, melted chocolate, cocoa powder, milk, rum and vanilla in a food processor. Pulse until smooth.
• Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate and spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with the second cake layer, then frost the top and side of the cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle the top with the coconut.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND FUDGE CAKE

Steps:

• Measure all cake ingredients into large mixer bowl.
• Beat until blended, then beat on high 3 minutes.
• Pour into three parchment paper lined or greased 9 inch round layer cake pans.
• Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean.
• Cool in pans 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling rack.
• Cool completely.
• Beat cream, cocoa and icing sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Place one cake layer on serving plate and spread with 1/3 cream mixture, sprinkle with 1/3 nuts.
• Add remaining layers with cream and nuts.
• Refrigerate until serving time.
• To toast almonds, place on baking sheet in oven for 3 to 5 minutes after cakes have baked.

CHOCOLATE-ALMOND SANS RIVAL CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line four 9x9-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Butter and flour the sides of the pans thoroughly.
• Beat egg whites in a large glass mixing bowl until foamy, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with cream of tartar. Gradually add sugar, a few tablespoons at a time. Continue mixing until stiff, shiny peaks form, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Fold in almonds and cocoa. Divide meringue evenly into the four pans and spread to touch the edges.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove meringue from the pans and peel of parchment paper while still hot.
• Beat egg yolks on high speed until they double in size and are lemon yellow.
• Combine sugar and water in a heavy pan and cook over medium heat, stirring the sides down only, until all the sugar is dissolved and the syrup reaches 235 degrees F/112 degrees C (or thread stage).
• With the mixer on high speed, very slowly pour the syrup down the sides of the bowl, until all has been added. Be careful as the very hot syrup could burn you if it splashes from the beaters. Continue beating on high until the mixture is at room temperature, about 15 minutes. Beat in the soft, room temperature butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high speed. Add melted chocolate and almond extract.
• Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Whip smooth before use.
• Assembly: Set bottom meringue on cake board with a dab of butter cream to hold it in place. Spread a thin layer of buttercream and then place another meringue on top. Repeat with a thin layer of buttercream, meringue, thin layer of buttercream, meringue, and finally buttercream the top and sides.