Deathly Chocolate Cakesicle With Peanut Butter Buttercream Recipes

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

Steps:

• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, and milk. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then add the peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on medium-high speed for 2 minutes until combined. Add 1/4 cup more confectioners' sugar if frosting is too thin or another 1-2 Tablespoons of cream/milk if frosting is too thick. Taste. Add a spoonful of extra peanut butter or a pinch of salt if desired.
• Frost your cake, cupcake, or confection however you'd like. In the pictured cupcakes, I piped a basic tall swirl using (affiliate link) Ateco 849 piping tip.
• Use immediately or cover tightly and store for up to 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. After freezing, thaw in the refrigerator then beat the frosting on medium speed for a few seconds so it's creamy again. After thawing or refrigerating, beating in a splash of heavy cream or milk will help thin the frosting out again, if needed.

NATASHA'S CHOCOLATE CAKESICLES

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans and dust with flour. Sift the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add the eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk and vanilla and mix until combined.
• Dissolve the espresso powder in the boiling water in a mug, then pour into the batter and mix until well combined.
• Divide the batter between the cake pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes. Let the cakes cool 10 minutes in the pans, then remove them to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: Beat the confectioners' sugar and egg whites in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly add in the butter, a tablespoon or two at a time, and continue mixing. Once combined, increase the speed to high and beat until smooth. If the frosting looks curdled and separated, remove one-quarter of it to a microwave-safe bowl and melt in the microwave for about 10 seconds, then pour back into the rest of the frosting and whip on high. This should bring the frosting together; if not, repeat this process again. Stir in the vanilla and salt.
• Add the chocolate-hazelnut spread to the frosting and beat until combined. (This step is optional - you can just keep the frosting vanilla if you'd like.)
• Crumble up the cakes in a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup frosting and mix with your hands. You should be able to form the mixture into a ball but it shouldn't be too soft.
• Make the topping: Melt the colored candy melts in the microwave as directed. Assemble the cakesicles in batches: Add a little (about 1 tablespoon) melted candy melts to each pop mold (see box below). Brush the candy around the mold to cover completely. Slide a pop stick into each mold and chill until the candy hardens, about 10 minutes. Add a second coating of melted candy melts if needed.
• Form 3 to 4 tablespoons of the crumbled cake mixture into a ball, then press into one of the molds, adding more cake mixture as needed to fill. Repeat to fill all the molds, then spread a layer of melted candy melts on top to seal it all in. Refrigerate until set, 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully remove each cakesicle from the mold and repeat with the remaining cake mixture and colored candy melts (remelt them if needed).
• Melt the white candy melts in the microwave, then drizzle on the cakesicles. Decorate with sprinkles.

DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT-PEANUT BUTTER ITALIAN BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix to combine. Mix in the sugar.
• With the mixer on low speed, add the butter, a couple cubes at a time, and mix until completely combined. Slowly add the buttermilk and vanilla extract; mix until well combined.
• Add the eggs and mix until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the sides bowl as needed.
• Divide the batter among three 8-inch cake pans. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool the cakes at room temperature for 1 hour, then freeze for at least another hour.
• For the buttercream: Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F (see Cook's Note).
• Meanwhile, place the egg whites in a clean mixer bowl and beat until bubbles form. Add the sugar and beat on high speed until fluffy. Turn off the mixer.
• When the sugar syrup reaches the target temperature, slowly pour it into the egg whites. Mix on high speed until thick and fluffy.
• Gradually mix in the butter cubes until the mixture comes together and is fluffy and smooth.
• Add peanut butter, vanilla and coconut extract and mix until well combined. (Makes 4 cups.)
• To assemble: Trim the cake layers to level them; this will help you frost the cakes and ensure the layers are even. Spread the first cake layer with buttercream. Stack the second layer on top and spread with buttercream. Stack the third cake layer. Add the buttercream to a piping bag and pipe onto the top and sides of the cake. Smooth the frosting, using an offset or flat spatula. At this point, you can leave the frosting smooth or add some texture with the spatula.
• Refrigerate the frosted cake for 30 minutes before slicing.

PEANUT BUTTER BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter, peanut butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in milk and vanilla until smooth.,