Snowflake Cake Recipe
Category: Desserts
Servings/Pieces: 20
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2.5 hours
This beautiful Snowflake Cake is an elegant, multi-layered dessert that brings a touch of winter wonder to any special occasion. With a rich combination of white chocolate and dark chocolate, paired with a luscious ganache and smooth sugar paste, itβs as delightful to look at as it is to taste. Follow the steps carefully to create a show-stopping cake that will impress your guests and make any event feel truly festive.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| White Chocolate | 400g |
| Butter | 160g |
| Whole Milk | 160g |
| Sugar | 400g |
| Eggs | 1300g |
| All-Purpose Flour | 420g |
| Baking Powder | 16g |
| Vanilla Bean (pod) | 1 |
| Dark Chocolate | 550g |
| Fresh Cream (liquid) | 550g |
| Sugar Paste (for decoration) | 3kg |
| Glitter Sugar (for decoration) | q.b. |
| Edible Glue | q.b. |
| Food Markers (optional) | q.b. |
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the White Chocolate Cake Layers
- Chop the White Chocolate: Start by finely chopping the white chocolate into small pieces. This will help it melt smoothly and evenly.
- Melt the Chocolate: Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set it over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method). Add the whole milk and stir continuously until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Whisk the Ingredients: Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat. Gradually add the sugar and whisk until fully incorporated. Beat in the eggs one by one, ensuring that each egg is fully blended before adding the next.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour and baking powder together and set aside. Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise, scraping out the seeds with a knife. Add both the seeds and the empty pod to the chocolate mixture, stirring to combine.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the sifted dry ingredients (flour and baking powder) into the wet mixture, using a spatula to carefully combine them. This helps maintain the light and airy texture of the batter.
Step 2: Baking the Cake Layers
- Prepare the Cake Pans: Grease a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Youβll need two ring molds, one with a diameter of 16 cm and the other 10 cm. Place the ring molds on the prepared baking sheet.
- Fill the Molds: Pour the batter into the ring molds, filling them up to about two-thirds full. Any remaining batter should be poured into a round springform pan, making sure to level the surface.
- Bake the Cakes: Preheat the oven to 170Β°C (340Β°F) for a static oven or 150Β°C (300Β°F) for a fan-assisted oven. Place the pans in the oven. Bake the small cake for about 30 minutes (or 20 minutes in a fan-assisted oven). The medium cake should bake for 45 minutes (35 minutes in a fan-assisted oven). Finally, bake the larger cake for 60 minutes (50 minutes in a fan-assisted oven).
- Check for Doneness: If the tops of the cakes darken too much, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. You can check the cakes by inserting a toothpick in the centerβif it comes out clean, the cake is done.
Step 3: Preparing the Ganache
- Heat the Cream: Pour the fresh cream into a saucepan and heat over low-medium heat until itβs just about to boil. You should see small bubbles forming around the edges.
- Melt the Dark Chocolate: While the cream is heating, chop the dark chocolate into small pieces. Once the cream is hot, pour it over the chopped dark chocolate. Stir with a whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and the ganache is smooth and glossy.
- Chill the Ganache: Transfer the ganache into a mixing bowl and place it over a bowl of ice. Let it cool for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. Using an electric mixer, beat the ganache for about 10 minutes until it becomes fluffy and light.
Step 4: Assembling the Cake
- Prepare the Large Cake: Once the large cake has completely cooled, carefully slice it in half horizontally to create two layers. Set aside.
- Assemble the Layers: Place one layer of the large cake onto your serving platter. Spread a layer of the ganache evenly over the surface. Top with the second layer of cake.
- Coat the Cake with Ganache: Use the remaining ganache to cover the entire cake, smoothing it out with a spatula to ensure an even coating. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the ganache to firm up.
Step 5: Preparing the Sugar Paste Decorations
- Roll the Sugar Paste: Roll out the sugar paste on a surface dusted with powdered sugar. Roll it thinly and evenly to cover the entire cake. Use a smoother tool to smooth out any air bubbles and wrinkles in the paste.
- Trim Excess Paste: Once the cake is covered with sugar paste, trim the excess paste using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Be sure to leave a little overhang to tuck underneath the base of the cake.
- Decorate with Snowflakes: Roll the leftover sugar paste into a ball and re-roll it out to make additional decorations. Use snowflake-shaped cookie cutters of different sizes to cut out delicate snowflakes. Dust these snowflakes with blue glitter sugar for a festive touch.
- Let the Decorations Dry: Allow the glittered snowflakes to dry for at least one night to ensure they hold their shape.
Step 6: Assembling the Complete Cake
- Stack the Cake Layers: Begin by placing the largest cake on a sturdy base. Insert four plastic dowels into the center of the cake to support the next layer. Carefully place the medium-sized cake on top of the larger one, ensuring it is centered.
- Continue Stacking: Add the smallest cake on top of the medium-sized one in the same way, securing it with dowels to ensure the structure is stable.
- Final Touches: Use edible glue to attach the glittered snowflakes onto each layer of the cake, pressing them gently for about one minute to make sure they stick. You can also decorate the base of each layer with a ribbon to enhance the festive look.
Step 7: Serving the Cake
Once the snowflake cake has been assembled and all the decorations are in place, your cake is ready to be served. The stunning layers of white and dark chocolate, coupled with the smooth sugar paste and glittering snowflakes, will undoubtedly make it the centerpiece of any celebration.
Tips for Success
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure that your eggs and butter are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
- Avoid Overmixing: When adding the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, fold gently to maintain a light and airy texture.
- Decorate with Care: When applying the sugar paste, make sure to smooth the edges to avoid wrinkles. If you donβt have an icing smoother, use your hands to gently press the paste against the cake.
- Storage: Store the finished cake in the refrigerator, especially if you plan to prepare it a day ahead. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
This Snowflake Cake is the perfect wintertime treat that will make your special event even more memorable. Whether itβs for a holiday celebration, a winter wedding, or just a festive family gathering, this stunning cake will delight everyone with its elegant appearance and delicious flavor. Enjoy the process of creating this masterpiece, and savor every bite!
