3 Tiered Layered Chocolate, Caramel and Vanilla Cake Covered in Chocolate Ganache

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I've been thinking it's 2012 for the past month already, but it's finally here! My new years eves are generally spent with family, friends, food, and fireworks, and this year was no exception. I also start every year with something sweet; it's just tradition. My mother was incharge of starters and mains, whilst I was in charge of dessert, naturally. I wanted to make something memorable, which marks the end of what was a great year and welcomes 2012 with a sweet, delightful start. I was lucky to have a lot of people to help me finish of the cake, and it was a definitely a big hit.

The cake turned out pretty well; the chocolate cake was moist, and the vanilla cake was so light. The chocolate ganache definitely tied everything together working well with all the flavours and gave the cake a nice glossy finish. It was good that there were 3 different types of cake as this meant the everyone got what they wanted, or a bit of everything for people like me.

If you want to make this cake, you will need whole day free; it does take quite a bit to time and effort, so if you're lazy then you may want to choose an easier recipe of just make 1 flavour cake and filling rather than going for the trio.

This cake was inspired by 'Dessert First Girl' and 'The Sweet Art', I ended up combining the 2 different cakes to make this.

Recipe 

The Base Tier: Chocolate Cake
20cm cake pan
Follow the recipe on 'Food and Wine', and split the mixture into 2 cake tins or bake in the same tin 3 times.

The Middle Tier: Caramel Cake
15cm cake pan
Follow the recipe on 'Dessert First Girl' for the caramel cake- make sure you double the quantities for the recipe.

The Top Tier: Vanilla Cake
12cm cake pan
Follow the recipe on 'Dessert First Girl' for the vanilla cake- original quantities.

Chocolate Cream Filling
Follow the recipe on 'The Sweet Art' for the chocolate mousse filling.

Caramel Cream Filling
2 cups double cream (whipping cream)
6 tbsp caramel syrup (recipe on 'Dessert First Girl')

Whisk the cream and caramel syrup together till stiff peaks are formed. Be careful not to over-whisk otherwise the mixture will curdle.

Vanilla Cream Filling
2 cups double cream (whipping cream)
2 tbsp icing powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

Whisk the cream, icing powder and vanilla extract together till stiff peaks are formed. Be careful not to over-whisk otherwise the mixture will curdle.

Chocolate Ganache
Follow the recipe on 'Dessert First Girl' and triple the quantities.

Assembly

1. Cut all the cakes so that they are level on the upper and lower surfaces.

2. Cut the caramel and vanilla cake into equal layers (I did 3 layers for each tier). It is crucial that the cake is absolutely flat on each layer, otherwise the cake may have a tilt.

3. Spread the fillings in whatever order you want between the cake layers. It is easier prepare each tier separately and assemble on top of each other at the end.

Freeze the cake for around 10mins between applying each layer.

The picture above demonstrates one cake tier: 3 layers of cake with 2 different fillings.

4. Neaten the outside of the cake by filling in the gaps with filling and smooth with a spatula. Make sure that the cake is completely symmetrical, and even. If you need to cut the cake a little, it is easier to freeze it before doing so. The 3 tiers:

Place these tiers in the freezer for at least 30mins before icing.

4. Ice each tier separately. Place the cake on some parchment paper on a wire rack. Make sure the chocolate ganache is cool and of a pouring consistency (if not then warm it very slightly). Pour the ganache over the middle of the cake, help the icing along with a spatula and use it to cover the sides too. Make sure the icing is smooth.

 

5. If you want to decorate the cake then melt 100g milk chocolate with 50g white chocolate and place in a piping bag with a really narrow tip. Draw some lines on the top of each tier with the chocolate.

6. It's tine to layer the cake. Carefully peel off the parchment paper from each cake and place on top of each other.

7. Decorate the cake with whatever you want or just keep it simple.

 

8. Cut, enjoy and share.

 

Sources:
Dessert First Girl
The Sweet Art
Food and Wine
Sweet as Sugar Cookies
 

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