By Libbie Summers from my book Sweet and Vicious-baking with attitude, Rizzoli
Photography by Chia Chong
Model: Anna Heritage
There’s something about a girl holding a cinnamon candy small cake topped with a hand cut paper heart that screams Valentine’s Day.
Hot and Heavy Baby Cakes with Kiss Me Frosting
yields 4 triple-layer baby cakes/serves 12
Ingredients:
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons S&V House Blend Almond Extract or regular almond extract
2 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1⁄3 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3⁄4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
5 large eggs (4 separated, 1 whole)
1 1⁄2 cups crushed Red Hots cinnamon candies, plus more left whole for garnish
1 to 2 Atomic Fire Balls candy, crushed (I use a zip-top bag and a hammer)
Kiss Me Frosting (recipe to follow)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a heavy-duty 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet (a half sheet pan) with parchment paper and set aside.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and almond extract. Set aside.
In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt on low speed. Add the butter and mix just until a fine crumb forms. If a paste forms instead, that’s okay. With the mixer on medium speed, add 4 egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the whole egg and beat well. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the buttermilk mixture in thirds, beating well after each addition until the batter is fluffy. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Fold in the Red Hots. Pour the batter onto the baking sheet, evenly spread the batter with a spatula, and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate the baking sheet once halfway through the baking process.
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the Atomic Fire Balls in 1⁄4 cup water. If you like a spicier syrup, add more crushed !reballs. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool completely.
Let the cake cool completely in the baking sheet. Using a chopstick or skewer, poke holes in the top of the cake. Lightly brush it with the syrup and let the syrup soak into the cake. Use a 3 1⁄2-inch ring mold to cut 12 cake rounds (each cake will be three layers thick).* Frost the cake using a heaping 1⁄4 cup frosting between each layer. Frost the sides and top and pipe a small tree on top…just waiting for a cardboard star!
Kiss Me Frosting
(cinnamon buttercream)
yields about 3 1⁄2 cups
I get weak in the knees when I think about how powerful this frosting is. I have found nothing—nothing—that it doesn’t taste good on. Biscuits, baby cakes, bacon, and my husband’s sweet lips.
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks ) butter, at room temperature 4 1⁄2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla paste
2 tablespoons evaporated milk
1⁄8 teaspoon red food coloring
1 (6-ounce) box Red Hots cinnamon candies, pulsed in a food processor to crush
Directions:
In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until fluffy. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the confectioners’ sugar. Increase the speed to medium and add the salt, vanilla paste, and evaporated milk. Beat for 2 minutes. If the frosting is too thin at this point you can add more of the confectioners’ sugar and mix for 30 seconds, or just until combined. If the frosting is too thick, add a bit more evaporated milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix for 30 seconds, or just until combined. Add the food coloring and mix until fully incorporated. Remove the bowl and use a spatula to fold in the crushed cinnamon candies. Refrigerate the frosting for 10 minutes before using. Frosting can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
*this recipe also bakes up great as cupcakes
Watch the video to get in a French mood for baking!
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