SPICED CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES W/ CRUNCHY OAT BITES W/ DARK CHOCOLATE // ΣΟΚΟΛΑΤΕΝΙΑ CUPCAKES ΜΕ ΚΑΝΕΛΑ ΚΑΙ ΖΑΧΑΡΗ ΚΑΡΥΔΑΣ


Cloudy crumb with the softness of a dark chocolate whipped ganache and the crunch of the oat bites.


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INGREDIENTS (makes 8-10 cupcakes)

For the cakes

160 g + extra for decoration QUAKER crunchy oat bites with chocolate
355 g cake flour
180 g softened butter at room temperature
120 g granulated sugar
55 g coconut sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
300 ml buttermilk // or any other milk + 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp fine sea salt
the seeds from one vanilla pod
½ tsp ground cinnamon

For the chocolate ganache montée 

240 g heavy cream
100 g good quality dark chocolate with a minimum 50% cocoa

 EXECUTION

Chop the chocolate into small pieces. In ‘bain-marie’, over low to medium fire, warm up the chocolate together with the heavy cream, until the chocolate melts. Remove from fire and let it slightly cool. Cover it with a piece of plastic wrap and let it rest overnight at 10-15°C (approximate room temperature at winter time) or in the refrigerator for temperatures over 20°C.
Prepare a simple tray or muffin tray by arranging the cupcake paper cups and set it aside for later.
In a large mixing bowl, sieve in the cake flour, the baking powder, ground cinnamon and baking soda. Add the sea salt and mix well – using a spoon or a whisk.
In a stand or hand mixer – with the paddle attachment on – beat the softened butter for 2-3 minutes. Then add the sugars, and the contents of the vanilla pod. Cream it for another 7 minutes until the butter is lighter in color and texture.
Add one egg and mix until it is completely incorporated. Then add the second egg and blend to a smooth mixture.
Remove from the mixer, and add 1/3 of the dry ingredients (cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, sea salt) and 1/3 of the buttermilk (or milk with vinegar). Stir – using a wooden spoon or a spatula.
Continue with the rest of dry ingredients and the milk and mix well to a smooth batter. Lastly add the QUAKER crunchy oat bites with chocolate and mix well. Divide the batter to the paper cups until you fill up the 2/3 of each cup. Bake in preheated oven at 160°C for 25-30 minutes until you insert a wooden skewer in the middle of the cakes and it comes out clean. When ready, let them cool completely on a cooling rack before frosting them.
If you stored the chocolate ganache in the fridge, remove it from the fridge 30 min before using it.
In a stand or hand mixer with the whisk attachment on, beat the ganache for 3-4 minutes until grown in volume and fluffy. Transfer the ganache montée (whipped ganache) to an icing bag with a tip and frost your cakes. Decorate with QUAKER crunchy oat bites with chocolate + enjoy!

Notes:

- Start one day in advance to give the time to the ganache to rest and to the cupcakes to cool completely and be ready for the frosting.
- If you don’t have icing bags use a ziplock bag and cut off one of the bottom corners of the bag and it is ready!

x

Alexandra


— ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΕΚΔΟΣΗ —

Σοκολατένια cupcakes με κανέλα και ζάχαρη καρύδας #Quakergreece

ΥΛΙΚΑ (για 8-10 cupcakes)

Για τα cupcakes

160 γρ + extra για διακόσμηση QUAKER τραγανές μπουκιές βρώμης με σοκολάτα
355 γρ αλεύρι μαλακό
180 γρ βούτυρο σε θερμοκρασία περιβάλλοντος
120 γρ ζάχαρη κρυσταλλική
55 g ζάχαρη καρύδας
2 αυγά σε θερμοκρασία περιβάλλοντος
300 ml ξινόγαλο // ή όποιο άλλο γάλα προσθέτοντας 2 κουτ. γλυκού μηλόξιδο
1 κουτ. γλυκού baking powder
½ κουτ. γλυκού μαγειρική σόδα
½ κουτ. γλυκού θαλασσινό αλάτι
το περιεχόμενο απο ένα στίκ βανίλιας
½ κουτ. γλυκού κανέλα τριμμένη

 Για τη ganache montée σοκολάτας

240 γρ κρέμα γάλακτος
100 γρ καλής ποιότητας σοκολάτα με ελάχιστο 50% κακάο

ΕΚΤΕΛΕΣΗ 

Κόβουμε τη σοκολάτα σε μικρά κομμάτια. Σε ‘bain-marie’, σε χαμηλή προς μέτρια φωτιά, ζεσταίνουμε τη σοκολάτα με τη κρέμα γάαλκτος μέχρι να λιώσει η σοκολάτα. Απομακρύνουμε απο τη φωτια και αφήνουμε τη ganache να κρυώσει λίγο. Σκεπάζουμε με ένα κομμάτι πλαστικής διαφάνειας και την αφήνουμε να ξεκουραστεί ένα βράδυ σε θερμοκρασία δωματίου 10-15°C ή στο ψυγείο αν η θερμοκρασία περιβάλλοντος είναι πάνω από 20°C.
Προετοιμάζουμε ένα απλό ταψί ή ταψί με θήκες για muffin, απλώνοντας τις χάρτινες φόρμες για τα cupcakes και το αφήνουμε στην άκρη για αργότερα.
Σε ένα μεγάλο μπώλ, κοσκινίζουμε το αλεύρι, το baking powder, τη μαγειρική σόδα και τη κανέλα. Προσθέτουμε το θαλασσινό αλάτι και ανακατεύουμε καλά – χρησιμοποιώντας ένα κουτάλι ή ένα σύρμα.
Σε ένα μίξερ – με το φτερό – χτυπάμε το βούτυρο για 2-3 λεπτά. Προσθέτουμε τη κρυσταλλική ζάχαρη, τη ζάχαρη καρύδας, το περιεχόμενο του στίκ βανίλιας και χτυπάμε για άλλα 7 λεπτά μέχρι το βούτυρο να αφρατέψει. Προσθέτουμε ένα αυγό και χτυπάμε μέχρι να ενσωματωθεί πλήρως με τα υπόλοιπα υλικά. Στη συνέχεια προσθέτουμε το δεύτερο αυγό και χτυπάμε καλά με το φτερό μέχρι να ομογενοποιηθεί το μείγμα. Αφήνουμε το μίξερ, και προσθέτουμε το 1/3 απο τα ξηρά υλικά μας (αλεύρι, baking powder, μαγειρική σόδα, κανέλα και θαλασσινό αλάτι) και το 1/3 απο το ξινόγαλο (ή το γάλα με το ξύδι).
Ανακατεύουμε καλά – χρησιμοποιώντας μία ξύλινη κουτάλα ή σπάτουλα. Συνεχίζουμε την ίδια διαδικασία με τα υπόλοιπα ξηρά υλικά και το γάλα. Τέλος, προσθέτουμε τις τραγανές μπουκιές βρώμης με σοκολάτα QUAKER και ανακατεύουμε καλά με κυκλικές κινήσεις.
Μοιράζουμε τη ζύμη στις χάρτινες φόρμες των cupcakes μέχρι να γεμίσει τα 2/3 της φόρμας.
Ψήνουμε σε προθερμασμένο φούρνο στους 160°C για 25-30 λεπτά μέχρι να βγαίνει καθαρή μία οδοντογλυφίδα όταν την εισάγουμε στη μέση του κέικ. Όταν είναι έτοιμα, τα αφήνουμε να κρυώσουν εντελώς πρίν τα διακοσμήσουμε με τη  ganache montée .
Αν αποθηκεύσαμε τη ganache στο ψυγείο, τη βγάζουμε 30 λεπτά πριν τη χρησιμοποιήσουμε.
Σε ένα μίξερ, με το σύρμα, χτυπάμε τη ganache για 3-4 λεπτά μέχρι να διογκωθεί. Μεταφέρουμε τη  ganache montée σε μία σακούλα ζαχαροπλαστικής και διακοσμούμε τα cupcakes. Προσθέτουμε μερικές τραγανές μπουκιές βρώμης QUAKER με σοκολάτα και είναι έτοιμα!

ΣΗΜΕΙΩΣΗ:

- Ξεκινήστε τη προετοιμασία τη προηγούμενη μέρα για να δώσετε στη ganache χρόνο να ξεκουραστεί και στα cupcakes να κρυώσουν εντελώς πρίν τα διακοσμήσετε.
- Αν δεν έχετε σακουλα ζαχαροπλαστικής, χρησιμοποιήστε ένα ziplock σακουλάκι και κόψτε μία απο τις ακριανές γωνίες του.   

 X

Αλεξάνδρα


SWISS ROLL CHEESECAKE W/ PERSIMMONS + ORANGE


A very light egg cake filled with the soft texture of cream cheese combined with whipped cream. The sweetness and honey-like taste of persimmon freshened up with the orange scent.

Persimmon - fruit of the winter season

Persimmons are high in important vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C and B (thiamine B1 and riboflavin B2), folate, magnesium, and potassium. Just one persimmon contains over half the recommended intake of vitamin A, critical for immune function and vision. They also contain beneficial plant compounds like tannins and flavonoids and carotenoids (source: healthline.com). 

I started with the persimmon as an inspirational guideline that is seasonal and adds some colour to the winter season then I thought of a winter traditional cake that will contain the fruit and will be decorated with it. The persimmon colour inspired me to create a deep yellow glaze that will contain fresh orange juice to add flavour and freshness to the cake. Magical soft winter sunlight made its appearance for a few seconds to light up the day and warm up the scenery.



SWISS ROLL CHEESECAKE W/ PERSIMMONS + ORANGE

SWISS ROLL CAKE
75 g cake flour
80 g granulated sugar
4 (medium to large) eggs
40 g melted butter, cooled
vanilla essence
a pinch of salt
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar (to sprinkle on the kitchen towel you will use to fold in the cake until it cools)

WHIPPED CREAM CHEESE FILLING
55 g cream cheese
105 g heavy cream, cold
18 g confectioners sugar
1 persimmon, thinly sliced

ORANGE GLAZE
25 g granulated sugar
18 g heavy cream
2 g powder gelatin + 8 ml cold water to hydrate the gelatin
38 ml fresh orange juice, strained (approximately from 1/2 orange)

PREPARATION 

ORANGE GLAZE
In a small bowl, mix the powdered gelatin with 18 ml water and let it hydrate for at least 30 minutes.
Juice the orange and strain the juice. Over medium fire, warm up the heavy cream and the orange juice slightly. Then remove from fire and add the gelatin. Mix well - using a whisk - and let it cool and set at room temperature. 

SWISS ROLL
Preheat the oven at 170°C (fan function) or 190°C (conventional).
Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks. Whisk the egg whites - using a stand or hand mixer - for a few seconds until they turn foamy. Then start pouring slowly half of the total sugar portion (40g). Continue whisking for approximately 2 minutes at medium/high speed until stiff peaks are formed. Set aside until later.
In a different bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the rest of the sugar portion. Add the vanilla essence, cooled melted butter (if butter is warm it will cook your egg yolks and we don’t want that because the mix will lose its smooth texture), salt, and whisk until all ingredients emulsify.
Fold the beaten egg whites in the beaten egg yolks mix - using a spatula. Spread the batter evenly on a baking tray lined with a piece of a baking paper.
Bake the cake in a preheated oven for 10-15 min depending on the intensity of your oven. Don’t worry if some parts of the cake rise up due to the steam trapped between the cake and the baking tray. When you remove the cake from the oven it will flatten again. Don’t try to pinch it because the cake sheet has to stay whole. When ready, remove the cake from the oven and let the cake rest for a few seconds on a cooling rack. Flip it upside down with the help of a second tray by placing the second tray on top of the cake and by holding both top and bottom trays (cake in between) flip the cake so that the bottom part with the baking paper is now top side. Remove the baking parchment carefully. Lay the cake on a clean kitchen towel that you have previously sprinkled with confectioners sugar so that the cake doesn't stick on the towel. Roll the cake together with the kitchen towel to a cylinder form, starting from the shorter side, and allow it to cool completely at room temperature. This will help give the cake the final shape we want without running the risk of cracking it as we try to roll it when it is cool.

WHIPPED CREAM CHEESE
In a stand or hand mixer, beat the cream cheese - with the whisk attachment - until smooth. Slowly add the chilled heavy cream and whisk gently at low/medium speed until the ingredients are well combined. When the consistency of the mix is smooth, switch to high speed and beat until stiff peaks of whipped cream cheese are formed.
When the cake is completely cool, roll it out and spread a generous amount of the whipped cream cheese. Lay on top, thin slices of persimmon. Add some more cream and roll the cake starting from the short side of the cake sheet. Cover the cake with a piece of plastic foil and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour until the cream is set.
If the orange glaze is solid, warm it up slightly to become fluid again. It should have a fluid jelly-like consistency so that it holds well on the cake when glazing. The cake should also be chilled so when the glaze hits its surface will solidify quickly and won’t slide off immediately.
After you have glazed the cake, decorate it with some more whipped cream cheese and a few persimmon slices.

Serve + enjoy! Good luck guys!

X

Alexandra



ROSEBUD INFUSED CHOCOLATE MOUSSE W/ FEUR DE SEL


Silky delicate full body chocolate mousse with a subtile undertone of rose petals. Spiced up with some fleur de sel to intensify and highlight the flavours. Inspired + adjusted by Dominique Ansel’s Masterclass on chocolate mousse cake.


This recipe makes 6 small cakes of about 7.5 cm Ø

The chocolate mousse cakes consist of:

  • a soft almond chocolate ‘biscuit’ base, 

  • a rosebud infused chocolate mousse body and 

  • a chocolate mirror glaze.

TIME MANAGEMENT 

Make the chocolate biscuit and the mirror glaze one day in advance. The biscuit is better to rest overnight at room temperature before you use it and you will not have to wait too long for the glaze to cool when you need to use it.

ALMOND CHOCOLATE 'BISCUIT’
50 g oven-roasted almonds
5 g (½ tablespoon) confectioners sugar
80 g egg whites (2-3 eggs)
63 g granulated white sugar, extra fine
15 g cake flour 
15 g cocoa powder
a pinch of salt (‘fleur de sel’)

CHOCOLATE MIRROR GLAZE
100g sugar
73 g heavy cream (alternative: oat heavy cream)
5 g (2 teaspoons) powder gelatin, powdered - hydrate it with 28 g cold water
73 g water, room temperature
35 g cocoa powder

ROSEBUD INFUSED CHOCOLATE MOUSSE (makes x 6)
185 g semi sweet chocolate 70%
185 ml oat milk
270 ml heavy cream (alternative: oat heavy cream)
1 + 1/2 leaf gelatine
6 g dried rosebuds, stems removed
a pinch of salt

ONE DAY IN ADVANCE (DAY 0)

PREPARATION: ALMOND CHOCOLATE 'BISCUIT’

Preheat your oven at 150°C fan function - or 170°C conventional.
In a food processor, chop the oven-roasted almonds for 10-15 seconds. Add the confectioners sugar and continue to blend them for a few more seconds until you get a fine powder. Don’t blend them for any longer because the powder will start turning to paste.
Transfer in a mixing bowl and sieve in the cocoa powder and the cake flour. Stir well - using a spatula - and set aside.
In a stand mixer, beat the egg whites for a few seconds and until foamy and white. Then gradually add the fine granulated sugar and continue beating at medium-high speed for a few more seconds (at least 30) until all the sugar is dissolved, the meringue is glossy and stiff peaks have formed.

NOTE: I opt for fine sugar because it dissolves easily and faster in the egg whites. If you can’t find it at your local grocery store, you can pulse granulated sugar for a few seconds in the food processor to make it finer.

When your meringue is ready, sieve in ⅓ of the almond-cocoa-flour mix and fold it carefully - using a spatula - with round movements to avoid deflating the meringue. Then continue with the rest of the dry ingredients and fold them in the meringue until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Lay a baking paper (or baking mat) on a baking tray and evenly spread the dough forming a rectangular of approximately 15 cm x 22 cm and 0.5 cm thickness.
Bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 min depending on the intensity of your oven. It will be ready if you insert a knife in the biscuit and it comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and let it slightly cool. Then, turn it upside down - very carefully to avoid breaking it - and remove the baking paper or baking mat. Let it cool completely on a cooling rack.
When the biscuit is cool, cut out 6 disks of the diameter of your forms (I had forms of  7,7 cm circumference). Transfer them in an airtight container and set aside until the next day.

PREPARATION: CHOCOLATE GLAZE
Mix the gelatin with the water and let it hydrate for at least 30 minutes.
In a pan, warm up the heavy cream and the sugar over medium heat, while stirring occasionally and until the sugar dissolves completely.
Hydrate the cocoa powder and mix it - using a spatula - to a smooth paste.
Add the gelatin to the warm heavy cream and sugar mix and stir well. Then add the cocoa powder paste.
Pass the mixture through a fine sieve to catch any cacao residues and set aside to let it cool. Transfer it in an airtight container and refrigerate it overnight. 

NEXT DAY (DAY 1)
Take the chocolate glaze, that you made the day before, out of the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature.

PREPARATION: CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
Soak the gelatin leaves in cold water for at least 30 minutes.
Transfer the rosebuds (stems removed) in a pan together with the milk. Warm them up over medium heat until the milk is lightly steaming, paying attention that the milk won't boil. Remove from fire and let the rosebuds infuse for 10-15 minutes, depending on how intense you would like the rose scent to be. I kept it for 15 minutes because the scent will become lighter when you blend in the chocolate and whipped cream. Strain the roses and gradually pour the warm milk over the chocolate to melt it. First add the ⅓ of the milk portion and blend well - using a whisk - until milk and melted chocolate are properly emulsified. Continue with the rest of the milk. If your chocolate won’t melt easily, transfer the bowl to a ‘double boiler’ over medium fire paying attention not to overheat the chocolate (temperature shall not go beyond 45 °C.
Finalize it - using a beamer - to get a smooth texture of the chocolate - milk emulsion.
Strain the hydrated gelatin, squeeze out the excess water and add it to the ganache (chocolate - milk emulsion). Stir until smooth - using a whisk. Set the mix aside to slightly cool.
In the meanwhile, beat the chilled heavy cream until a smooth creamy consistency. When the ganache is cool enough, pour it slowly in the bowl with the whipped cream while stirring with circular movements - using a spatula. Continue until the ganache is fully incorporated in the whipped cream.
Transfer a portion of the mousse into round silicon forms. Leave a space of approximately 1 cm from edge of the form and place the chocolate biscuit (this will be the base of your cake. If you are using a spring form, place the chocolate biscuit on the bottom of the form and fill the form with the chocolate mousse. You can wrap the edges of the form with some plastic foil or acetate roll to easily remove the form when the cake is ready. Transfer the cakes in the refrigerator for an hour to let the mousse set and then place them in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and until the mousse is compact and hard enough to be removed from the forms. Place the cakes on a cooling rack with a tray underneath to collect the extra glaze that is gonna drip while glazing the cakes. Don’t forget to remove the acetate roll or plastic foil from your cakes if you are using spring forms.

GLAZING
If the chocolate glaze is too thick, warm it up slightly and emulsify it - using a beamer. Don’t forget to always immerse the beamer in the liquid to avoid incorporating additional air. Tap the container with the glaze on the kitchen top and force any air bubbles to come to the surface of the liquid.
Glaze the cakes one by one with a gracious portion of the mirror glaze and let the glaze drip over the sides of the cake so that it is covered completely.
Transfer the cakes on a serving tray and place them in the refrigerator until the glaze is nicely set (approximately half hour). Decorate with dried rose petals and a pinch of fleur de sel. Serve and enjoy their delicate and smooth texture!

Good luck you guys :)

Alexandra 


IN THE MAKING


CARAMEL CHOCOLATE FUDGE LAYERED CAKE


A festive cake for the holiday season to make together with family and friends. To bond and connect while handcrafting food together.


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Makes one layered cake of 16 cm Ø

_CAKE DISSECTION_

This cake consists of:

  • 3 layers of chocolate fudge cake 

  • a swiss meringue caramel buttercream for the layers

  • a caramel buttercream to cover the cake and 

  • a caramel fudge sauce to glaze 

_TIME MANAGEMENT_

Make the cake layers and the creams one day in advance. The cakes have to stay in the refrigerator overnight to rest, that is important for the layered cake’s stability. Moreover, it is more relaxed to make the creams one day in advance and not on the same day that you will build the cake. 

_INGREDIENTS PER PREPARATION_

CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE (makes 3 layers of 16 cm Ø) 

NOTE: if you don't have round spring forms of this size - use the ones you have and adjust the number of layers to two for a form with larger diameter. Alternatively bake one thicker round cake and cut it to create disks that will be your cake layers.

285 g cake flour
285 g granulated sugar 
270 g good quality butter, at room temperature
190 g cocoa powder
2 + 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 + 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp sea salt
3 eggs, at room temperature
360 ml buttermilk 

CARAMEL FUDGE SAUCE (for both buttercreams and glaze)

200 g granulated sugar 
90 g good quality butter, room temperature 
120 ml  heavy cream, room temperature

SWISS MERINGUE CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM 

100 g granulated sugar, extra fine
60 g egg whites (2-3 eggs)
170 g good quality butter
80 g caramel fudge sauce (recipe above)
a pinch of salt

CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM 

255 g good quality butter 
120 g caramel fudge sauce (recipe above)

PREPARATION: CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE  
Preheat the oven at 170 °C (conventional oven) or 150 °C (fan function). 
In a large mixing bowl sieve in the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt. Mix well and set aside. 
In a stand (or hand) mixer, with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar. Start with beating the butter a few seconds and then start incorporating the sugar. Beat for at least 10 minutes until fluffy and lighter in colour. 
Add the eggs one by one making sure that the one is incorporated before you add the next one. Continue beating with the paddle attachment until you get a stable and smooth consistency of the emulsion. 
Add ⅓ of the dry ingredients mix that you prepared in the beginning and ⅓ of the buttermilk portion and blend. Repeat the process another 2 times by using ⅓ of the quantity of the dry ingredients mix and buttermilk each time. Blend well until a smooth consistency of the cake dough. 
Divide the batter in 3 round spring forms of 16 cm Ø or larger.
Bake the cakes for 40-45 minutes and until you insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake and it comes out clean. The baking times might differ depending on your oven and on the thickness of your cakes so always keep an eye on them during the baking process. 
When ready place them on a cooling rack and let them cool completely. Afterwards, wrap them in plastic individually and place them in the refrigerator overnight.

PREPARATION: CARAMEL FUDGE SAUCE (for both buttercreams and glaze)
In a pan, over medium fire, pour a thin layer of granulated sugar and wait until it melts. Continue with the rest of the sugar little by little until all the sugar is melted. Wait until the caramel takes an amber colour and immediately remove it from fire.

NOTE:  This is a fast process and you will need to slightly swirl the contents of the pan to ensure that the caramel browns evenly. It is very important to not use any utensil to stir the melted sugar to prevent crystallisation.

When caramel has turned amber, remove it from fire and carefully add the heavy cream little by little. It might spatter due to the large difference in temperature so be careful not to burn yourself. Swirl the contents of the pan until the cream is well incorporated in the caramel. Continue with the butter. Swirl the pan continuously and see the butter melting and blending in with the rest of ingredients. Set aside to completely cool before using it for the buttercream’s and as the final glaze of the cake. Store it in the refrigerator overnight and let it rest at room temperature (25°C) before using it for making the creams.

PREPARATION: SWISS MERINGUE CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM 
In the stand (or hand) mixer - using the paddle attachment - beat the butter until fluffy and lighter in colour (at least 7 minutes). Then add the caramel fudge sauce and the pinch of salt. Beat for another 3 minutes until all ingredients are well incorporated and set aside.
In a ‘double boiler’ over medium fire combine the egg whites with the granulated sugar and whisk until all the sugar is dissolved. When the temperature of the egg whites reaches 45°C (or when all the sugar is dissolved, the texture is not grainy due to the unmelted sugar, and the mix is hot to the touch) remove from the fire and transfer the egg whites mixture in a stand (or hand) mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat for at least 5-7 minutes until glossy stable peaks are formed and the temperature of the meringue drops. 
Then change to the paddle attachment and fold the meringue in the beaten butter - caramel gently (low-medium speed) for a few seconds until all ingredients are well incorporated. Transfer it in an icing bag or an airtight container and set aside. You can store it in the refrigerator overnight and let it rest at room temperature for 1-2 hours before building the cake.

PREPARATION: CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM 
In a stand (or hand) mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter for at least 7 minutes until fluffy and lighter in colour. Add the caramel fudge sauce and beat for another 3 minutes. 
Transfer the buttercream in an icing bag or an airtight container and set aside. You can store it in the refrigerator overnight and leave it at room temperature before using it for building the cake. 

NEXT DAY 

Get ready to assemble the cake. Take the cake layers and the creams out of the refrigerator and let them rest at room temperature. If the buttercreams are stiff after resting you can beat them for a few seconds with the mixer (paddle attachment) to make them lighter again. Cut the uneven tops of the cakes to create stable bases for your layered cake. 
Select a plate/serving tray that is going to be your layered cake base and apply a small portion - the size of a bean - of the swiss meringue caramel buttercream between the plate and the first cake layer to secure the cake on it. Apply evenly the swiss meringue buttercream on the first cake layer and place the next layer on top making sure that your cake is straight and stable. Continue with another layer of buttercream and place your last cake layer on top. 
Transfer the layered cake in the refrigerator for at least half hour for the buttercream to set.

NOTE: if you want you can slightly soak every layer with light corn syrup or simple syrup . It is usually used to secure the humidity of the cakes to keep them fresh for longer. However, the buttercream cover in this recipe will prevent the cakes from drying out, so simple syrup can be omitted.

Take the cake from the refrigerator and carefully cover it with the caramel fudge buttercream creating a straight and even surface - using a spatula. Let the cake rest in the refrigerator for another half hour. While waiting, slightly warm up the caramel fudge sauce to a more fluid consistency by paying attention that it is not too hot when you glaze the cake because the buttercream will melt. Caramel fudge holds best (not too runny, not too stiff) at around 30°C.

Take the cake from the refrigerator and finalise it with a generous portion of caramel fudge sauce. So good! Cut + serve…

Good luck you guys!

X Alexandra

P.S. post your comments + questions you might have over the recipe below in the comment section below!