Christmas Naked Cake Recipe
Category: Desserts
Servings: 8
A festive and elegant treat for the holiday season, the Christmas Naked Cake combines a soft sponge cake with a luscious custard filling and a delicate cream topping. The cake is garnished with fresh red currants, rosemary sprigs, and cinnamon sticks, giving it a joyful, Christmas-inspired look. Here’s how to make this beautiful and delicious dessert:
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Eggs | 150g |
| Sugar | 75g |
| Cornstarch (cornflour) | 75g |
| Ground Cinnamon | 3g |
| Butter | to taste |
| Whole Milk | 400g |
| Sugar (for custard) | 100g |
| Egg Yolks | 6 |
| Vanilla Extract | 10g |
| Cornstarch (for custard) | 40g |
| Gelatin Sheets | 5g |
| Cream Cheese (spreadable) | 100g |
| Heavy Whipping Cream | 130g |
| Fresh Red Currants | to taste |
| Rosemary Sprigs | to taste |
| Cinnamon Sticks | to taste |
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Sponge Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a cake pan with parchment paper, using an 18cm (7-inch) round pan with at least 10cm (4 inches) of height.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the whole eggs for about 15 minutes until they become light and frothy.
- Meanwhile, combine the cornstarch and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Once the egg mixture is fluffy and airy, turn off the mixer and sift the cornstarch and cinnamon mixture into the eggs.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the eggs using a hand whisk, ensuring they are well incorporated without deflating the mixture.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with the back of a spoon.
- Bake the sponge for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Pastry Cream
- Soak the gelatin sheets in cold water for about 10 minutes to soften them.
- In a saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks and 100g sugar until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and mix again.
- Place the saucepan over low heat, constantly stirring with a whisk to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens to a custard-like consistency.
- Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat. Gently squeeze out the excess water from the gelatin sheets and stir them into the warm custard until fully dissolved.
- Transfer the custard to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to cool.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake
- After the sponge cake has cooled, carefully trim off the top dome to level it. Then slice the cake into three equal layers.
- Take the custard out of the refrigerator and give it a good stir to loosen it up. Transfer the custard to a piping bag fitted with a 1cm smooth round tip.
- Place the first layer of sponge cake on a serving platter and pipe half of the custard over it, smoothing it into an even layer. Top with the second layer of cake.
- Repeat the process with the second layer, adding the remaining custard and placing the final layer of cake on top.
- Use a spatula to smooth the edges and top of the cake, making sure it is even and neat. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Step 4: Prepare the Cream Topping
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and heavy whipping cream. Beat together until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cake has chilled, spread a thin layer of the cream mixture over the top and sides of the cake using a spatula. The “naked” look means you should leave some areas of the cake visible for a rustic appearance.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Decorate the top of the cake with fresh red currants, sprigs of rosemary, and cinnamon sticks for a festive touch.
- Your Christmas Naked Cake is now ready to be served! Enjoy this delightful dessert with friends and family during the holiday season.
Tip: For extra flavor, you can infuse the milk for the custard with a cinnamon stick and a few sprigs of rosemary before using it to make the custard. This will give the cream an aromatic and festive twist.
This Naked Cake is not only visually stunning but also a delightfully creamy and soft dessert that will steal the spotlight at any Christmas gathering. Enjoy this sweet treat as part of your holiday feast!
