Christmas Themed Cake

Merry Christmas Everyone! Although I wish for snow and white christmas but it is so impossible here in Australia. Oh well, I have to wait another month when we visit USA and think that it's still christmas.. I really miss christmas being around with the family and it's sometimes hard when it's only two of us here (me and hubby). Therefore, our close friends here is our surrogate family..

I made this christmas themed cake for my husband's long time client as a a gift.  My first idea in my head making this cake was actually totally different on how the cake turned out at the end. To be honest, I was almost gave up on the cake as it was a terrible covering a cake with fondant on humid hot weather but luckily hubby came up with different idea. Ohh.. Thank god for that.. How lucky I am to have him on my back as always who never give up on me.. 

The flavour base of this cake is Caramel Mud Cake with Caramel frosting. I made the holly leaf the day before and placed them in the apple tray to give the effect on the shape when they dry. I am very happy that hubby's client loves the cake very much and I received a great feedback from them. Meanwhile, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Thank you for all your support for this year. Looking forward for another interesting sweet year of 2012.


Christmas Themed Cake

Caramel Mud Cake

(I made 2 batches for this cake)

Ingredients

250g Unsalted Butter

200g White Chocolate

450g Brown Sugar

375ml Water

300g Plain Flour

100g Self Raising Flour

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

3 Eggs, beaten lightly

Method

1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Grease 20cm cake pan.  Line base and side with baking paper, extending paper 5cm above edge of the pan.

2. Combine butter, chocolate, sugar and the water in a medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until mixture is smooth. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, cool 15 minutes. Whisk in flours, then essence and eggs.

3. Pour mixture into prepared pan, bake for about 1 hour and 30 minutes or until skewer poked in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Leave the cake in the pan until cool. 

Caramel Frosting

Ingredients

125g Butter, chopped

200g Brown Sugar

80ml Milk

250g Icing Sugar 

Method

Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in brown sugar and milk, bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, simmer and uncovered 3 minutes to cool. Gradually stir in the icing sugar until frosting is spreadable consistency.

How to assemble

1. I cut each cake into two layers and spread them with caramel frosting. 

2. Ganache the cake with dark chocolate ganache. You can find the recipe here

3. Cover the cake with fondant and decorate with holly leaf and some pearl sprinkles.