piping Archives - Feasting Is Fun

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes

Share
Who doesn’t love a cupcake? A beautifully decorated, perfectly portioned, whole cake to yourself. While I’m known for encouraging people to share, here on Feasting is Fun, that’s not a problem with these cupcakes. Because they taste so incredible, you will want to share these, with those you love. And my Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes are perfect for sharing.

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes beautifully delicious.

Cupcakes are great for those who struggle to share. Indeed I used to not be as keen on sharing when I was younger. Nowadays, however, if you visit, knock on the door, clean the windows, etc I am more than willing to give you a cookie or cupcake. Since cupcakes come as a complete package, they are easier to share. Our window cleaners and post lady were very appreciative of these Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes that I gave them today.

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes great with Afternoon Tea.

Light sponge tinged pink with chopped maraschino cherries, topped with a swirl of frosting and a whole cherry. Dark chocolate is drizzled over the frosting. Resulting in a perfect balance of flavours. Most importantly, the dark chocolate tempers the sweet frosting and compliments both the cherry and almond flavours.

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes so cheerful.

The unique flavour of maraschino cherries can be tasted through every single bite of these cupcakes. Adding almond extract to the frosting emphasises their flavour too. Substituting glacé cherries wouldn’t give the same result. Maraschino cherries are easily found in the supermarket. Usually near the alcoholic drinks section!

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes pretty perfect!

Since these cupcakes are each topped with a bright red cherry, they would also make a great ‘Red Nose Day’ bake!

Recipe: Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes makes 12

125g/4.5oz Unsalted Butter softened

125g/4.5oz Caster Sugar

1tsp Vanilla Extract

2tsp Liquid from the maraschino cherry jar.

1/4tsp Salt – I use Maldon

50g/2oz Maraschino Cherries plus 12 whole cherries to top the cupcakes

150g/5oz Plain White Flour

1.5tsp Baking Powder

For the frosting and decoration:

400g/14oz Plain White Icing Sugar

200g/7oz Unsalted Butter softened

1tsp Almond Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

2tbsp Very Hot Water – from a recently boiled kettle

50g/2oz Dark Chocolate minimum 70% Cocoa

Method: Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan, gas mark 3, 325F.

Making And Baking The Cherry Cupcakes

First of all, line a cupcake or muffin tin with 12 cupcake cases.

Remove 12 nicely shaped, maraschino cherries from the jar and place on to kitchen towel to drain. Weigh out slightly more than 50g of cherries and place into a bowl. Tip away any excess liquid that collects in the bowl. Follow, by cutting the cherries in the bowl into small pieces and set to one side.

Next, into a large bowl add the sugar, butter and salt. Beat until pale and creamy.

Add the vanilla extract and 2 teaspoons of liquid from the cherry jar and beat into the mixture.

Using the ‘all in one’ method, add the eggs to the bowl and then sift in the flour and the baking powder. Finally add the chopped cherries and gently mix the ingredients together until they are combined.

Fill each cupcake case with one dessert spoonful of cake batter.

Place the tin into the centre of the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

The cupcakes may look a little darker than usual. This is due to a combination of the cherries in the batter and the liquid from the jar added to the cake batter.

They are fully baked when the sponge springs back from a light touch, or an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

As soon as the cupcakes are baked remove from the oven.

Remove the cupcakes from the baking tin and place on a cooling rack.

Making the batter, filling the cases and baking the cupcakes.

Making The Whipped Buttercream And Piping It Onto the Cupcakes

While the cupcakes are cooling make the buttercream frosting.

Into a large bowl add butter and then sift in the icing sugar.

Next add the hot water and almond extract.

Start whisking on a very slow speed, until the butter and icing sugar have combined.

Gradually build the whisking speed to high. Continue whisking until the frosting is pale and fluffy.

Spoon the frosting into a piping bag that has been fitted with a large star tip. I use a Wilton #1M.

Starting at the outside edge, on the top of the cupcake pipe a complete swirl. As the next swirl overlaps, lift the piping bag to bring the swirl inwards. Continue piping in swirls, finishing in the centre, by pulling the bag away. Similar to piping a Mr Whippy ice cream.

Continue until all of the cupcakes have been piped with frosting. Do not worry if there is a little buttercream left in the piping bag.

Finally, place a cherry on top of each cupcake.

Making the frosting, piping and decorating the cupcakes with maraschino cherries.

Allow the icing to set on the cupcakes.

Making The Chocolate Drizzle And Decorating The Cupcakes

While the cupcakes are setting, make the chocolate drizzle.

Break up, or chop the chocolate and place into a small, heatproof, microwaveable bowl. Heat for 20 seconds at a time, in the microwave. Making sure to stir the chocolate after each heating. When the chocolate has completely melted pour into a small, disposable piping bag.

Snip the very end of the bag off and drizzle chocolate over each cupcake.

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes melted dark chocolate drizzle adds the finishing touch.

Finally, allow the chocolate to set before serving these Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes.

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes

These cupcakes will last for 5 days if kept in an airtight container, refrigerate during warm weather. Although, it is very doubtful, once shared that they will last that long!

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes you may also like these:

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

Marshmallow Frosted Mango Cupcakes

Marshmallow Frosted Mango Cupcakes with a gluten free option.

Coconut White Chocolate Snowball Cupcakes

Coconut White Chocolate Snowball Cupcakes

Sharing baked goodies, not only makes others happy, it also keeps waistlines from expanding! While selling my own bakes is not something I ever wish to do, sharing them allows me to follow my real passions. First of all sharing and also recipe development, mixing flavours, textures, being creative, giving away baked treats actually helps me. Resulting in smiles all round!

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.
Share

Posted on 2017-02-232020-07-22Categories RecipesTags Afternoon tea, baking, flavoured buttercream, Icing, Party cupcakes, piping, Sweet Treat2 Comments on Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzle Cupcakes

Chocolate Share Eclair Flower

Share
Chocolate Share Eclair Flower individual choux pastry petals, filled with chantily cream and covered in chocolate, surround a filled chocolate profiterole.

During the nine weeks that the Great British Bake Off is aired, Renshaw Baking have been holding various competitions, to encourage bakers to get baking. For my part, as a blogger, I chose to take part in the blind, technical challenge. The result being my Chocolate Share Eclair Flower.

Chocolate Share Eclair Flower perfect for sharing.

True to the ‘technical challenge’ on the programme, I was given a list of ingredients and vague instructions on what to do with said ingredients!

I immediately recognised the recipe as being that for choux pastry, however, when making choux pastry you add water or milk and Renshaw had kindly left that part out!

Fortunately I have baked quite a few profiteroles and eclairs over the years and remembered the 2:1:1:2 rule – that is double liquid and egg to flour and butter. All good except the recipe called for differing amounts of flour and butter.

Aargh. Stay calm Sammie.

It does me good to have a good talking to myself and remember to relax and enjoy the process.

After a couple of trial bakes, both of which produced 8 even, straight eclairs, I knew I wanted to play.

Chocolate Share Eclair Flower 3D and fun to make.

I came up with the idea of creating flower petals, of two different sizes. The larger petals sitting on the base surrounding the central, single profiterole, whilst the five smaller petals sit on top and between the lower petals, creating a 3D flower, made from choux pastry.

Whilst making and baking my Chocolate Share Eclair Flower I stuck rigidly to the recipe, as they would have to do on the television programme. It was so hard not to add sprinkles, glitter, piped contrasting chocolate, but I didn’t. The instructions asked for our inventive interpretations of the recipe – I took that to mean design!

Below is the recipe and method. Written in bold is where I had to fill the gaps!

Recipe: Chocolate Share Eclair Flower

65g/2.5oz Plain White Flour sifted

Pinch of Salt – I use Maldon

50g/2oz Unsalted Butter – cut into cubes

2 Large Free Range Eggs – beaten and weighed = 110g

110g Water

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

5tsp Icing Sugar sifted

200mls/7fl oz Whipping Cream

100g/4oz Milk Chocolate chopped

Method: Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan, gas mark 6

Note: This recipe will yield 8 straight chocolate eclairs. Baking time is the same, simply pipe 8 even straight lines.

Line 2 large baking trays with baking parchment, set to one side.

In a large saucepan add the butter, salt and water. Place over a high heat.

When the liquid boils, turn the heat down to medium and add all of the flour.

Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for 3 minutes, keeping the pan on the heat. The mixture should be completely lump free and the flour will have had a chance to cook slightly – this needs to happen to ensure a good structure for the eclair.

Pull the saucepan off the heat and keep stirring to cool down the mixture.

Add 1/2tsp vanilla extract to the beaten eggs.

Add the eggs to the flour mixture and beat thoroughly to incorporate them into the mix, it can take a little time, just keep stirring with the wooden spoon and eventually everything will come together to form a thick, sticky choux pastry.

Making the choux pastry.

Spoon the choux pastry into a large disposable piping bag.

Cut approx 1cm off the end of the bag.

On one baking sheet pipe 5 tear drop shapes, approximately 10cm/4″ in length.

On a separate baking sheet pipe 5 more tear drop shapes, approximately half the size of the larger ones. Pipe one single profiterole, using a damp finger to press down any tip.

Place both trays, evenly spaced in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Do not open the oven during the first 25 minutes of baking as this could cause your piped choux petals to collapse!

After 30 minutes remove the trays from the oven and place the choux pastry petals and the profiterole on to a cooling rack.

Leave until cold.

Piping, baking, cutting and preparing the choux petals to be filled with cream.

Whilst the pastry is cooling pour the whipping cream, 1/2tsp vanilla extract and 4tsp icing sugar into a medium bowl.

Whisk until the cream holds a stiff peak.

Spoon the cream into a large disposable piping bag.

Starting with the largest petals, using a serrated knife cut the petal in half, so that the cream can be piped onto the bottom half. Lay each petal down so that the bottom is cut side up and the top is cut side down.

Do the same for the smaller petals and make a small incision in the side of the profiterole.

Cut approx 0.5cm off of the piping bag and proceed to pipe cream, following the shape of the petal. As each petal is filled replace the top. When all the petals have been piped with cream, push the piping bag into the incision in the profiterole and fill with cream.

Filing and piping the choux pastry with chocolate.

Place the chopped milk chocolate into a heatproof, microwaveable bowl and zap on medium, in the microwave for 30 seconds, stirring after each zap. When the chocolate is fully melted pour into a disposable piping bag (or alternately you could dunk the petals in the chocolate).

Pipe chocolate around the choux petals and cover the top half of the profiterole in chocolate.

Use a butter knife to spread the molten chocolate on the choux petals.

Whilst the chocolate is still warm assemble your Chocolate Share Eclair Flower.

On a large flat plate or board place the profiterole in the centre. Evenly space the 5 larger petals around the profiterole. Carefully place the smaller petals inbetween and on top of the larger petals.

Chocolate Share Eclair Flower dusted with a little icing sugar.

Dust the centre of the choux flower with the remaining icing sugar and your Chocolate Share Eclair Flower is complete.

Place in the fridge to allow the chocolate to set.

Serve with friends and family, who will no doubt be impressed with your artistic flair. As the flower has now been submitted I have embellished it a little using some sparkles.

Chocolate Share Eclair Flower with sparkling pollen!

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like profiteroles or eclairs, so this is the perfect way to make them into something different, that can then be shared and enjoyed.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Chocolate Share Eclair Flower then you may like these:

Sticky Pecan Sultana Buns

Sticky Pecan Sultana Buns.

Homemade Chelsea Buns

Homemade Chelsea Buns

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

I hope I’ve shown you how easy it is to make and bake choux pastry?

It really is one of the easiest pastries to master and as you have seen can be piped into regular profiteroles, eclairs, or be more adventurous, it really makes beautiful hearts.

Whatever you are making, have fun. Let your creativeness flow and if you make a mistake, well bake it, eat it and try, try, try again. For me the fun is in the learning!

Sammie xx
Share

Posted on 2016-09-21Categories RecipesTags baking, Choux pastry, medium difficulty, pipingLeave a comment on Chocolate Share Eclair Flower

Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake

Share
For for those of you who have visited Feasting is Fun before, you will be very aware of my love affair with lemons. I absolutely adore not only their tart, intense flavour, but also their ability to transform a sweet or savoury dish. After using lemon curd to create my Lemon Ripple Ice Cream, I decided to use it in a bake. Specifically this delightful Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake.

Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake perfect for afternoon tea.

A wonderfully moist, damp cake, the lemon curd injects a wonderful tartness in the centre that is balanced by the lemon swirled buttercream on top.

If you love lemons, then I’ll guarantee this Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake will delight you!

Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake whatever time of year brings the sunshine indoors.

Baked as a whole cake, that is then cut in two, this refreshingly flavoured cake is simple to make and decorate.

Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake with an added sprinkle of glitter.

I was sent a new cake tin to try out, so I decided on this Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake. The cake batter has both finely grated lemon zest and lemon extract oil in it. I’ve given an alternative for the oil in the recipe, although I do recommend buying some if you can. It brings another level of lemonyness to the cake and unlike fresh lemon juice, does not cause any curdling of the cake batter or buttercream.

Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake look at how the light shines through the lemony yellow of the cake?

Lemons have such a sunny yellow colour that they really do bring the sunshine indoors whatever the weather!

Recipe: Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake serves 8-10

You will need an 8″/20cm diameter cake tin that is 3″/7.5cm deep

275g/10oz Unsalted Butter – plus a little extra for greasing

275g/10oz Caster Sugar

1tsp Lemon Oil – I use Nielsen-Massey

6 Large Free Range Eggs

275g/10oz Self Raising Flour (if using plain add 2tsp baking powder)

1/4tsp Salt – I use Maldon Sea Salt

Grated Zest of 1 Whole Lemon

4-5tbsp Lemon Curd – I use Waitrose luxury lemon curd – make sure you pick a tart one

For the icing:

100g/4oz Unsalted Butter

200g/7oz Sifted Icing Sugar

1/2tsp Lemon Oil – or 1tbsp Lemon Curd

2tbsp Very Hot Water from a kettle

Optional – Sprinkles and edible glitter

Method: Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan, gas mark 3

Grease with butter and line the base of the cake tin with baking parchment. I was testing a new PushPan. I still greased and lined the tin.

Into a large bowl add the butter, salt and sugar.

Whisk/beat until pale and creamy.

Add all 6 eggs (I crack mine into a separate bowl first) and the lemon oil/substitute with 1tbsp of lemon curd if no lemon oil is available.

Sift in the self raising flour.

Mix on a low speed until just combined.

Add the finely grated zest of one whole lemon.

Mix the cake batter until just smooth – I do this by hand using a spoon.

Spoon the Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake batter into the cake tin and smooth the top.

Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake ready for the oven.

Place the cake tin into the centre of the oven and bake for 1 hour – 1 hour 15 minutes. The cake is baked when an inserted skewer comes out clean. My cake took 1 hour 15 minutes to bake.

Once the cake is baked remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the cake tin.

Baked Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake cooling in the tin.

When the cake is cold remove from the tin.

With the PushPan tin I used, I simply popped the pan on to a tin of beans and pressed the sides down. The cake released from the tin very easily.

Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake easily released from the PushPan

Making the lemon buttercream:

Into a large bowl add the softened butter, sifted icing sugar, lemon oil or curd and 2 tablespoons of hot water.

Whisk slowly at first, increasing in speed as the icing sugar is absorbed. Continue whisking on high for a couple more minutes until you have a pale, creamy, light buttercream.

Scoop the buttercream into a disposable piping bag fitted with a large closed star tip.

Carefully cut the cake in half horizontally, so that it becomes a sandwich cake.

Spoon enough lemon curd on to the bottom layer to cover it generously.

Add a generous layer of lemon curd.

Place the top of the cake back on and pipe six buttercream swirls around the edge and one in the centre of the cake.

Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake so pretty but there’s room for a finishing touch.

Add sprinkles and edible glitter (if using) and your Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake is ready to be sliced and served.

Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake sparkling deliciousness.

I do love a slice of cake for Sunday afternoon tea, or any day of the week afternoon tea, when the cake is this good!

Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake perfect for any occasion, but especially afternoon tea.

I honestly think the pictures in this post speak for themselves. This Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake bursts with lemony yellowness once cut and tastes absolutely perfect. The soft buttercream and tart lemon curd, with a deliciously moist lemon cake.

Today will not be the only time I make this cake!!

If you have enjoyed the recipe for this Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake here are some others you may also enjoy:

Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake

Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake

Lemony Strawberry Pavlova

Lemony Strawberry Pavlova

Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars

Lemon Drizzle Cake Bars

Whilst this Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake looks pretty with the buttercream swirls, it really is the layers of lemon flavour that make this cake so enticing.

Whatever you are making and baking in your kitchen this weekend I hope that you are having fun. As I popped a couple of slices of this yummy cake over the back fence to our neighbours, almost blinded by the glitter sparkling in the sunlight, I was reminded of how much I simply enjoy sharing.

Baking for my family, friends, neighbours, postman and postlady, random delivery drivers, makes me feel good. Why?? Because it puts a smile on someones face. The heart of this blog is to share, enjoy feasting with people and have fun whilst doing so.

There is no price to making someone smile.

Who will you make smile this week?

Sammie xx
Share

Posted on 2016-07-032018-06-08Categories RecipesTags Afternoon tea, baking, buttercream, cake decorating, Citrus, easy recipe, piping, testing new product6 Comments on Loveliest Lemon Curd Cake

Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake

Share
Hello, I have an exciting recipe to share today. Since I first admiring the variety of Drip Cakes on Pinterest I have wanted to make one. This past weekend with the help of 2 Wright’s Baking cake mix kits, I did it (full recipe instructions for making this cake from scratch are included). Finally, I have now made this Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake.

Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake

Had it not been for the cake mixes from Wright’s I honestly would not have had the energy to make this cake. Yet, I proved that with a little bit of patience and guidance anyone can make a drip cake using great packet mixes, plus some extra chocolate and strawberries.

The Chocolate and Victoria sponge mixes create cakes that are as light as clouds. I baked the cakes on Saturday and then assembled and decorated this gorgeous Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake on the Sunday.

Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake

You Too Can Make This Drip Cake :

If you have ever wanted to make a drip cake, yet been too scared or overwhelmed to try? Use the following step by step photographs and instructions to show you how. You need not be a proficient baker or cake decorator, yet you CAN make this Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake.

Taking you through every stage, you will learn how to achieve a stunning drip cake. Once you have learnt the basics you can create all different kinds of drip cakes. I wanted to keep my cake simple, yet elegant. The chocolate dipped strawberries add height and a pop of colour.

Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake

Above all, I never dreamt that my Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake would turn out so well.

Pushing Out Of My Cake Decorating Comfort Zone:

Because cake decorating isn’t my strongest skill, learning new techniques can be challenging. Also sometimes my hands can be really shaky, resulting fewer cake recipes making it on to the blog.

What I’m trying to say is, I’m just like you. Yes I’ve learnt to pipe roses with buttercream, but that really is the extent of my cake decorating knowledge. So my hope is to teach you how to create a show stopping cake and that, with a little patience you too can create one!

Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake

There’s No Shame In Using Great Quality Cake Mixes:

Starting with a good quality boxed cake mix from Wright’s meant that all my concentration could be used decorating the cake. I will be creating recipes with different flavours, colours and toppings in the future, but for my first drip cake, all I wanted to concentrate on was creating that iconic ‘drip’!

Chocolate and vanilla were chosen simply because the inside of the cake would then reflect the beautiful outside. The cake mixes are so easy to whip up and bake, plus the buttercream mixture is included in the box. All I needed to add was butter.

Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake

Note: in order to decorate this cake successfully you will need a large palette knife (not a small offset one – that I mention in some of my recipes). Also if making the cake using my recipes you will have ire than you need. Perhaps you could bake an extra layer?

Recipe: Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake serves 10-12

1 Chocolate Sponge Baking Kit – from Wright’s Baking

1 Victoria Sponge Baking Kit – also from Wright’s Baking

Alternatively use the cake batter recipe for my Apricot White Chocolate Triple Sponge Cake

( Make the cake batter as instructed in the recipe. Use half of the vanilla batter to bake 2 plain sponges. Add 75g Cocoa powder and 2tbsp milk to the remaining batter, stir gently until the ingredients are fully incorporated. Bake the chocolate sponges as instructed.)

2tbsp Butter for greasing the sandwich cake tins

240g Unsalted Butter- softened to room temperature

200g White Chocolate – I use Waitrose Belgian white chocolate

100g Dark Chocolate minimum 70% Cocoa Solids

15 Good Quality Fresh Strawberries medium/large in size – if only very large strawberries are available you may want to use fewer.

Note: if making your own buttercream you will need 250g unsalted butter, 100g good quality cocoa powder (sifted) and 400g icing sugar (sifted), prepare as for the buttercream including the 2tbsp very hot water.

Method: Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan, gas mark 4, 350F

Making And Baking The Sponge Cakes:

Grease 2 x 7″ (17.5cm) sandwich cake tins and line the base with baking parchment.

Make up one packet – I used the Victoria sponge mix first – according to the instructions on the box.

Divide the cake batter equally between the 2 tins.

Place the sponge tins in the centre of the oven and bake for 15- 20 minutes. The sponges are baked when they are a golden colour and spring back from a light touch. Mine took just under 20 minutes to bake. Also, baking times may vary slightly if making from scratch*.

As soon as the cakes are baked remove from the oven.

Allow the sponges to cool for 5 minutes, then run a palette knife around the outside rim of the cake.

Turn the cake out gently and place right side up on a cooling rack.

Wash up the sponge tins in warm soapy water, dry, grease and line the bases as before.

Make up the chocolate sponge mix according to the packet instructions.

Divide the cake batter equally between the 2 tins and bake in the middle of the oven, as before for 15 – 20 minutes. Mine were baked at 15 minutes.

As soon as the chocolate sponges are baked remove from the oven. See note * above.

After 5 minutes cooling run a palette knife around the outside of the cake, turn out gently and allow to cool on a rack.

Once cool your cake is ready to assemble and decorate.

Making The Frosting And Assembling The Cake:

Gently peel the parchment paper away from the base of each sponge.

Whisk/beat 240g of softened butter in a large bowl.

Add both packets of buttercream mix – chocolate and vanilla.

Slowly whisk until they are incorporated into the butter.

OPTIONAL – I always add 1-2 tablespoons of very hot water to any buttercream that I make. I added 2 tablespoons to the buttercream mixture. I would not advise adding water if you are using stork or other margarines.

Continue whisking until you have a smooth, glossy, chocolate buttercream.

I recommend using either a cake board or a flat plate placed on a cake stand, or cake decorating turntable. I used a cake board on top of my cake stand. This is so that once covered in buttercream, the cake, will fit into the fridge to chill.

First of all add a generous tablespoon of buttercream to the cake board, this helps anchor the cake whilst it is being assembled and decorated.

Place the first sponge flat side up on the centre of the board.

Using a palette knife thinly coat the upper, flat side of the sponge in buttercream.

Next add the second chocolate sponge, again flat side up and cover with a thin layer of buttercream.

Continue in the same manner with the vanilla sponges, leaving the last sponge without a covering of buttercream.

Covering The Cake With Buttercream Frosting:

Ensure that you have plenty of space to work around the cake. I moved mine to the dining room table where I was able to sit (better for my back) and cover the cake.

Add enough buttercream to cover the top of the cake evenly – approximately 0.5-1cm deep. Run the palette knife across the top to roughly smooth it.

Next add buttercream to the side of the cake near the top. Spread it with the palette knife so that it fills in the gaps between the sponges. I started at the top and rotated the cake stand, working my way down to the bottom of the cake as each sponge layer was covered. Always aim to keep the buttercream as even and smooth as possible, using a palette knife.

The whole cake is now covered in buttercream with a roughly smoothed top and sides.

Fill a large jug with very hot water and have some pieces of kitchen paper to hand.

Clean the palette knife and let it sit, immersed in the hot water for a minute.

Remove the palette knife and wipe dry with the kitchen paper.

Hold the flat side of the palette knife to the side of the cake and smooth the buttercream. Repeat by dipping the palette knife back into the hot water, drying and smoothing, rotating the cake stand as you do so. This may take a little practice but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

The buttercream becomes very glossy and smooth. Continue until the sides are as smooth as you can get them.

Next smooth the top of the cake in exactly the same way.

Use kitchen paper to gently go around the base of the cake and remove excess buttercream from the board. I remove any big lumps and then hold the kitchen paper to the board as I rotate the cake, gradually getting closer and closer to the cake.

Place the covered cake into the fridge to chill and set for 30 minutes.

When it is touch dry you may start to decorate it.

Decorating The Strawberries With Chocolate:

Break up the white chocolate into a heatproof microwaveable bowl.

Zap in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between each heating session. When the chocolate has half melted remove the bowl from the microwave and continue stirring until all of the chocolate is melted.

Set to one side to cool.

Meanwhile break up the dark chocolate and melt in exactly the same way as for the white chocolate.

Dip half of the strawberries into the dark chocolate, ensuring they are completely covered with only the green showing, use a teaspoon to pour the chocolate near the top of the strawberry. Set the strawberries on to a silicone mat or some baking parchment.

Remove 2 tablespoons of the melted white chocolate and place in a small, disposable piping bag. Snip the very end off leaving a small hole.

Pipe lines across the uncovered strawberries and over the chocolate covered strawberries. You can also experiment with piping little dots on to the strawberries. Leave the strawberries to set.

Creating The Drip Effect:

Finally, while the white chocolate is still pourable but cooled you can start creating your drips.

Using a spoon pour the cooled, melted chocolate around the edge of the cake encouraging drips to form by adding a little more chocolate in places. Aim for a variety of drip lengths around the outside of the cake.

Next spoon the remaining white chocolate on to the centre of the top of the cake. Use the spoon to spread it to meet the rim formed by the drips and then swirl with your spoon to give an attractive finish.

Adding Chocolate Strawberries For A Spectacular Finish:

Gently add some strawberries to the back of the cake, building height by laying them on top of each other. Also add a few strawberries around the base to create a stunning, professional finish.

Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake

Place the cake back into the fridge, especially during warmer weather, until it has set.

Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake

Now take lots of photographs as it is great to have a visual reminder that you have accomplished something so stunning.

Importantly, keeping some of the strawberries red, with just a little piped white chocolate really makes the whole cake pop. Having a burst of colour stops the cake from being all brown and cream, which is definitely not as fun as a spot of red here and there!

If you have enjoyed the recipe and tutorial for making this Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake here are others you may also like:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Drip Cake

Chocolate Peanut Butter Drip Cake

Black Forest Giant Doughnut

Black Forest Giant Doughnut a stunning effect with little effort.

Fluted Chocolate Lemon Marble Cake

Fluted Chocolate Lemon Marble Cake a great cheat at making an amazing looking cake.

Finally, while not being the world’s best cake decorator means I can learn. Baking and decorating cakes should be fun. And it can be with instructions and photos to guide you through the process. Above all, cakes are made for sharing with friends, family and even the Post Lady!

Have I inspired you to try a new cake decorating technique?

Have fun decorating, making and baking your feasts.

Sammie xx

Wright’s Baking provided me with the cake mix kits to try. All content, opinions, views and photographs are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy. I am not a professional baker or cake decorator, any advice given is purely for guidance.
Share

Posted on 2016-06-282018-11-28Categories RecipesTags baking, buttercream, cake decorating, Celebration cake, chocolate covered strawberries, Drip cake, piping, step by step photographs2 Comments on Strawberry Chocolate Vanilla Drip Cake