Something that I really want to focus on here at i am baker is recipe quality. I have spent a year getting my feet wet in decorating, and now I want to stick my toes into the recipe pool.
Gross. Feet and recipes? Not my best analogy.
So my goal is to start with the basics. To find a great basic recipe then to tweak it to fit my needs, or if it is amazing, leave as is and bow to the feet of the creator.
What is with me and feet today?
My first trial is with is with white cake.
I love white cake and love it when it is soft and light and airy (but not spongy). However, the thing I like best about white cake is that it lends itself so easily to other flavors. You can pair it with a fantastic chocolate frosting or a super sweet strawberry sauce. (say that 3 times fast)
Or in this case, the soft elegance of coconut.
Traditionally, a coconut cake is accompanied by coconut filling and frosting.
But I am weird and only like a hint of coconut... hence a white cake with coconut topping.
Or, after it was all said and done, white cake, chocolate cake, and coconut frosting with decorative coconut flakes.
So, after all that confusion, I will get back to the point. White cake.
Basic White Cake (adapted from Joy of Baking-great site!)
2 large eggs separated
1 3/4 cups sifted cake flour
2 tsps baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup room temperature butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract*
1/2 cup milk
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
*I love the addition of almond extract, but you can certainly leave this out for a more pure vanilla flavor. The original recipe does not call for it.
Directions:
Separate the eggs, placing the whites into one container and the yolks into another. Let come to room temperature.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 8in (I used 9in) pans. Normally I use PAM, but this recipe really calls for the butter and flour method. Just trust me on this one.
Put sifted flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl and set aside.
Using an electric mixer ( I love that this recipe calls for an electric mixer as I do not even own a KitchenAid Mixer), beat the butter until soft and creamy, about 1 minute. Add 3/4 cup of sugar (reserving the rest) and beat for an additional 2 minutes. Now add egg yolks, one at a time, until completely incorporated. Add vanilla and almond extract until combined, about 30 seconds.
Now you are going to add your flour mixture and milk. Starting with the flour, add 1/3 of the mixture and mix until incorporated. Now add 1/2 milk mixture, mix until combined. Add half the remaining flour, combine. Now add the rest of your milk and combine. Add remaining 1/3 of your flour mixture, and go ahead and mix until combined. This whole process should take less then 2 minutes, as you do not want to over beat the batter.
In a separate clean bowl with clean whisk attachment, whip eggs whites until foamy then add the cream of tartar. (I did this on medium speed) Beat until soft peaks occur, and then gradually add in your remaining sugar. You will want stiff peaks, which took me about 3 minutes. Now, take your rubber spatula and fold your eggs whites into your cake batter. Make sure they are fully incorporated, but do not over stir the batter, as you do not want to eggs to deflate.
Put batter into prepared pans and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Cakes are done when an inserted tooth pick comes out clean or with very few crumbs. At this point I place the cakes directly into the freezer and leave them there for at least an hour. This locks in moisture and also makes it easier to frost.
Seven Minute Coconut Frosting
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup water
3 large egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp coconut extract
(I did not have enough frosting to cover the outside of my cake and had to improvise, but I also added another entire cake to the interior, so I believe if you are making the white cake alone you will not have the same problem.)
Directions:
In a double broiler (or a stove top safe glass bowl over the top of a pot of boiling water) combine sugar, water, egg whites, and cream of tartar with electric mixer and whisk attachment until combined, about 30 seconds. Place bowl on top of pan of boiling water (water should only be about 1-2 inches deep) and beat with electric whisk attachment for seven minutes until soft peaks occur. Remove from heat and add coconut extract. Beat for 2 to 3 minutes or more until frosting is spreading consistency.
Since I was covering this cake in coconut, I used a majority of the frosting on the internal structure, alternating between each layer of white and chocolate.
The addition of this type of frosting to the interior left this cake beyond moist.
The final result was delicious.
Like, I am going to start making this for peoples birthdays as a special treat delicious.
The white cake was distinctive and delectable, and can easily stand on its own!
FIRST!!!!!
WHOOOHOOOO!!!
Looks good, too bad Joe hates coconut. He's picky.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1383896427 | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Question: What does sifting flour do to the end result of your baking? I don't have a sifter and therefore never use one when a recipe calls for it.
Posted by: Sassy Molassy | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:20 PM
This focus on recipe quality of yours is going to be delicious if this first cake is any indication. It is a beauty Amanda.
On another note about your comment *what is it with me and feet today*. I don't know but keep looking down, won't be long I bet before you can't see them for a few months! LOL Glad to hear that the OBGYN check-up today went so well.
Posted by: Paula | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:21 PM
Oh my goodness. This looks gorgeous and yummy, Amanda! Will you PLEASE be my neighbor already? I promise I'd share a cup of sugar with ya whenever you needed it.
Posted by: Robyn | Add a Pinch | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Great question Lauren! If you can
accurately measure your ingredients (I do not have a scale and just use
measuring cups) I have heard that you do not need to sift. But if you
use measuring cups, sifting helps to ensure accurate measurements. :)
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Looks delish, Amanda!
Posted by: Sue | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:33 PM
oh that is just calling my name, I love coconut and the combo of choc and vanilla cake, yum,yum,yum! I really want a piece :) most of the treats are gone from my kitchen. Maybe I'll just have to get in there and make one myself-don't hold your breath.
Posted by: Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:33 PM
This looks so delicious. My grandma used to make a white cake that was to die for!
Posted by: Jessica @ How Sweet | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Everything looks so delicious, but I find one sentence very disconcerting: I do not even own a kitchenaid mixer. Please tell me it's because you have a better one! If there's ever been a baker deserving of the best mixer out there, it's you! Do I need to start a donation box?
Posted by: Londa | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:37 PM
Normally I don't respond to coconut cakes very well but the mixture of white and chocolate cake plus the frosting and coconut looks AMAZING. Thanks for sharing this!
Posted by: Zoe V | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:41 PM
"At this point I place the cakes directly into the freezer and leave them there for at least an hour."
So straight out of the oven into the freezer? You don't let them sit for 10 minutes, remove from the pan, and then put in the freezer?
How many white layers and chocolate layers did you actually cook? Did you cook 3 of each or are these torted?
When you cook a cake this tall, how do you store it for the next few days? Most cake domes are not that tall.
Posted by: Georgia | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:41 PM
This is a beautifully layered cake, Amanda :) P.S. - I've graduated from Le Cordon Bleu - working as a Specialty Pastry Chef and running a small business out of my home for now. Thank You for all of your kind thoughts, words, and encouragement. I'm still always in awe of your talent and photography! I wish you a very blessed 2011!
Posted by: Pamela Miller | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:42 PM
I am the same way Zoe!! I can only take so much, and even then actually eating coconut flakes is out of the question. I think I am going through some weird pregnancy stuff... for some reason I just love this flavor right now!!
Blessings!
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:44 PM
Coconut cake is my favorite!
Posted by: Marly | Jan 04, 2011 at 04:57 PM
This is truly a talent I don't have. Beautiful!
Posted by: SweetSugarBelle | Jan 04, 2011 at 05:06 PM
Oh, I would kill for a piece of this cake right now! My former m-i-l made a fabulous coconut cake and 7 Minute icing. I haven't been successful in doing so ~ this recipe gives me hope.
Thanks so much for sharing your talent and creativity with us! I don't know how you do it, especially being pregnant, but your efforts are truly appreciated.
Pat
Posted by: Pat | Jan 04, 2011 at 05:07 PM
I can't take it - UNCLE!!! Amanda - you must stop torturing and taunting me so!! I vowed to give up the sugar and move more . . . wailing nowwwwwwwww
Posted by: SMITH BITES | Jan 04, 2011 at 05:23 PM
Really Amanda, it's pretty awesome that I come to your site and lose weight, even if it is just water weight from salivating. Great recipe on the frosting. I love coconut, it's one of my favorite. The cake as whole-beautiful!
Posted by: naomi | Jan 04, 2011 at 05:36 PM
O.k.- I don't even like coconut. But this darling, sweet, fluffy *bow at the feet of its' creator* cake is mighty tempting, I must say. (Just hope those feet are clean).
Posted by: Wenderly | Jan 04, 2011 at 05:39 PM
Beautiful cake Amanda! You always get my thumbs up-even when you talk about feet or ham balls ;) xo
Posted by: Marla | Jan 04, 2011 at 05:48 PM
looks delicious...I adore coconut!
I did your trick of wrapping the wet rag around the pan for making a level cake....worked like a charm.
Posted by: Lisa | Jan 04, 2011 at 06:11 PM
I'm not a big coconut fan, but I am now!!
Posted by: Alicia | Jan 04, 2011 at 06:49 PM
White cake doesn't do it for me. But my mom makes a yellow cake with sour cream coconut frosting that we have to have Every Single Christmas (we dare not more than once a year!).
It looks beautiful, though! And I too think you need a stand mixer. I got my first one yesterday! It was a Christmas present but I was hemming and hawing about which model I wanted. I ended up with bowl-lift. I asked for some lil PME tips for my birthday this weekend. I can't wait to make some cookies!
Posted by: Jenny | Jan 04, 2011 at 07:01 PM
That looks super good! I love the flavor of coconut (but not really the texture of flakes). I wish I wasn't on a diet, or I'd try this!
Posted by: Renee | Jan 04, 2011 at 07:08 PM
pairing this white cake with chocolate cake, is a good idea. Pleasing to the eye, and the pallate.I love to bake, and always looking for a new idea to try.
Posted by: shari | Jan 04, 2011 at 07:16 PM
I think I'm going to make this but using a coconut cake in between the chocolate and almonds in the frosting so it tastes like an Almond Joy. Love it.
Posted by: Shaina | Jan 04, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Oh my gosh I so want a peice of that right now. That looks like truely the yummiest cake of all. Um, can you mail me a slice of that yummy heaven?
Posted by: cherylene | Jan 04, 2011 at 09:28 PM
Another gorgeous cake!
Posted by: Maria | Jan 04, 2011 at 09:44 PM
Oh, I want to sink my teeth into a piece of this!
Posted by: Andrea | Jan 04, 2011 at 10:01 PM
omg that looks amazing!!
Posted by: Pernille | Jan 05, 2011 at 01:01 AM
I have to click away from this post as my mouth is watering too much. Amanda this looks truly delicious. Just one question, when you take the pans out of the oven should I leave them on my benchtop for a few minutes before transferring them to the freezer?
Posted by: Seraphim | Jan 05, 2011 at 03:02 AM
That is one pretty cake!
Posted by: megan | Jan 05, 2011 at 08:45 AM
*sigh* This looks so heavenly, Amanda!
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | Jan 05, 2011 at 09:23 AM
What a gorgeous cake - I'm completely crazy for coconut and especially love it paired with chocolate.
Gorgeous photos!
Posted by: Patricia Scarpin | Jan 05, 2011 at 11:39 AM
It looks beautiful and it sounds great! I love coconut!
Posted by: Tiffany @ Conor & Bella | Jan 05, 2011 at 02:04 PM
In my culture we never bake by volume, always by weight, but it's still expected to sift flour. It adds air and breaks up lumps. We don't usually have fancy equipment though like I've seen in American baking posts, just a straight forward sieve.
Posted by: EofS | Jan 05, 2011 at 03:41 PM
Goodness, I'm ecstatic I stumbled upon your blog (c/o Cup of Joe). Those treats look incredible!
xoxo,
Dreaming of Palm Trees
Posted by: Karina | Jan 05, 2011 at 03:57 PM
OH MY, this cake looks fabulous! I have been searching for a great white cake recipe...I'll have to give this a try!
Posted by: Darcy | Jan 05, 2011 at 07:34 PM
Lovely! I think the cake is absolutely beautiful... I love the pretty strips of white cake and chocolate cake.
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | Jan 05, 2011 at 07:57 PM
very nice--it's like the ultimate mounds bar. bravo.
Posted by: grace | Jan 06, 2011 at 07:45 AM
OMG, OMG, OMG - coconut cake is my absolute favorite. Today is my birthday and I usually have a slice of coconut cake! Can't this year due to gluten, so this will be my virtual slice. Thank you for the birthday treat! As usual, it's a stunner. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Stephanie Meyer (Fresh Tart) | Jan 06, 2011 at 09:50 AM
LOVING how you alternated flavors in this cake...why haven't I ever thought of that?!
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | Jan 06, 2011 at 11:36 AM
That cake is absolutely gorgeous! We'd love if you could enter it into theRecipe4Living 5th Birthday Contest! You could win a huge gift basket full of Scharffen Berger gourmet chocolate! http://www.recipe4living.com/articles/the_recipe4living_5th_birthday_recipe_contest_sponsored_by_scharffen_berger.ht
Posted by: Kathryn | Jan 06, 2011 at 04:47 PM
Hey lady! We're coming down to the cities this weekend. Got any of this cake left over????
Posted by: Jenny | Jan 06, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Your multi-colored layered cakes are always so pretty! Looks delicious!
Posted by: Kristen | Jan 06, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Hi, I'm new to your blog. I love it. Consider me a new reader.
I'm also a baker with my own baking blog and love your ideas.
This cake looks great. Definitely something I have to do in the future. Jackie
Posted by: Jackie | Jan 07, 2011 at 12:51 PM
I have been loving your site...this is the first of your recipes I am trying...can't wait. I know it will not disappoint. Hope mine looks as pretty as yours!
Posted by: Lindsey at The Bakery Box | Jan 07, 2011 at 02:03 PM
Oh my goodness - glorious!!! My mom's birthday is next weekend and she LOVES coconut...I've been planning on making a coconut cake...methinks I might have to take after you! I love the white/chocolate cake combo!
Posted by: Katie | Jan 09, 2011 at 09:52 AM
What recipe did you use for the chocolate cake? This looks so amazingly wonderful!
Posted by: heartwings | Jan 09, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Oh my goodness this cake looks amazing!!!
Posted by: Jenn | Jan 11, 2011 at 06:42 PM