Not for the faint of heart, this dark rich fruit-laden and rum-soaked cake with roots in the Caribbean has a decidedly grown-up taste for the holidays.
Depart from the tried and true with Elizabeth Baird's dark cake studded with dried cherries. Keep it for a special occasion and serve in thin wedges along with ice cream drizzled with kirsch or chocolate liqueur.
This three-tiered one-bowl celebration cake features fluffy layers of sponge, a cream filling and a scattering of fresh berries.
Look for white chocolate cigars at specialty chocolate shops, baking supply stores or online. Once you've tracked them down, measure their diameter and calculate how many you need to cover 38-inch (97 cm) and 26-inch (66 cm) round cakes. Of course, you'll want to have extras for any repair work. You will need double-sided tape to fasten the ribbons around the cakes, and twine to tie wildflowers in a delicate bundle.
Complete your Easter lunch with a cake that's light as a feather and swirled with the pale pink of pur strawberries. If you like, garnish with whole strawberries instead of sliced.
This is a great project for beginner bakers, as the French-style layered sponge cake involves many classic techniques. To bring your eggs to room temperature quickly, submerge them in lukewarm water for 10 minutes, changing the water halfway through.
As this cake bakes, it fills the air with the heavenly scent of spiced apples. The rich nutty flavour of brown butter icing transforms this everyday treat into a company-worthy dessert. Cost: $0.50/serving
Bakers of all stripes want this classic in their collection – as well as their freezer. A true pound cake relies on beating each egg thoroughly since there's no baking powder. This is a good time to use imitation vanilla extract, because there is less flavour evaporation than with pure vanilla extract.
What makes pudding cakes so lovable is their two layers: the bottom of fruit and butterscotchy juices, and the cakey top. Try this comfy dessert for a fall or winter brunch, using Northern Spy, Golden Delicious, Ambrosia or Idared apples.
Calling all ginger lovers! This festive cake deliciously covers ginger from every angle, from fresh to ground to the pièce de résistance – an attractive crystallized ginger garnish.
