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TIRAMISU CAKE - FIRST SWEET PUNCH







I am very much excited to post my first Sweet Punch challenge hosted by three wonderful girls Ria, Divya and Maria. For the first sweet punch  it is Dorie Greenspan's Tiramisu Cake. I really enjoyed doing this Tiramisu cake which is one of my favourite cake. I exactly followed the same recipe, the outcome was fabulous. I made 1 small block of cake and 4 cakelettes and arranged the leftover sponge and mascarpone in a pie dish dusted with icing sugar and cocoa powder. The mascarpone used in this recipe is home made which I always love more than store bought one. Here comes my First punch !!!!!!!!!!!


TIRAMISU CAKE


Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan

For the cake layers:


2 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 sticks (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk









For the espresso extract:


2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
2 tablespoons boiling water


For the espresso syrup:


1/2 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon amaretto, Kahlua, or brandy





For the filling and frosting:


1 8-ounce container mascarpone (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon amaretto, Kahlua, or brandy
1 cup cold heavy cream
2 1/2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped, or about 1/2 cup store-bought mini chocolate chips
Chocolate-covered espresso beans, for decoration (optional)
Cocoa powder, for dusting





Getting ready:


1. Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Butter two 9×2 inch round cake pans, dust the insides with flour, tap out the excess, and line the bottoms of the pans with parchment or wax paper.
3. Put the pans on a baking sheet.







To make the cake:


1. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and creamy.
3. Add the sugar and beat for another 3 minutes. Add the eggs one by one, and then the yolk, beating for 1 minute after each addition. Beat in the vanilla; don’t be concerned if the mixture looks curdled. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk, adding the dry ingredients in 3 additions and the milk in 2 (begin and end with the dry ingredients); scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed and mix only until the ingredients disappear into the batter. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and smooth the tops with a rubber spatula.
4. Bake for 28 to 30 minutes, rotating the pans at the midway point. When fully baked, the cakes will be golden and springy to the touch and a thin knife inserted into the centers will come out clean. Transfer the cakes to a rack and cool for about 5 minutes, then run a knife around the sides of the cakes, unmold them, and peel off the paper liners. Invert and cool to room temperature right-side up.







To make the extract:


1. Stir the espresso powder and boiling water together in a small cup until blended. Set aside.


To make the syrup:


Stir the water and sugar together in a small saucepan and bring just to a boil. Pour the syrup into a small heatproof bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon of the espresso extract and the liqueur or brandy; set aside.




To make the filling and frosting:


Put the mascarpone, sugar, vanilla, and liqueur in a large bowl and whisk just until blended and smooth.


Working with the stand mixer with the whisk attachment or with a hand mixer, whip the heavy cream until it holds firm peaks. Switch to a rubber spatula and stir about one quarter of the whipped cream into the mascarpone. Fold in the rest of the whipped cream with a light touch.







To assemble the cake:


If the tops of the cake layers have crowned, use a long serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion to even them. Place one layer right-side up on a cardboard round or a cake plate protected with strips of wax or parchment paper. Using a pastry brush or a small spoon, soak the layer with about one third of the espresso syrup. Smooth some of the mascarpone cream over the layer – user about 1 1/4 cups – and gently press the chopped chocolate into the filling. Put the second cake layer on the counter and soak the top of it with half the remaining espresso syrup, then turn the layer over and position it, soaked side down, over the filling. Soak the top of the cake with the remaining syrup.







For the frosting, whisk 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the remaining espresso extract into the remaining mascarpone filling. Taste the frosting as you go to decide how much extract you want to add. If the frosting looks as if it might be a little too soft to spread over the cake, press a piece of plastic wrap against its surface and refrigerate it for 15 minutes or so. Refrigerate the cake too.
With a long metal icing spatula, smooth the frosting around the sides of the cake and over the top. If you want to decorate the cake with chocolate-covered espresso beans, press them into the filling, making concentric circles of beans or just putting some beans in the center of the cake.




NOTE :


Refrigerate the cake for at least 3 hours (or for up to 1 day) before serving – the elements need time to meld.
Just before serving, dust the top of the cake with cocoa.






Home Made Mascarpone

Adapted from Vera's Baking Obsession



Ingredients:

500 ml whipping (36 %) pasteurized (not ultra-pasteurized), preferably organic cream 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Preparation:

1. Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a wide skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low so the water is barely simmering.
2. Pour the cream into a medium heat-resistant bowl, then place the bowl into the skillet. Heat the cream, stirring often, to 190 F. It will take about 15 minutes of delicate heating.

3. Add the lemon juice and continue heating the mixture, stirring gently, until the cream curdles. Do not expect the same action as you see during ricotta cheese making. All that the whipping cream will do is become thicker, like a well-done crème anglaise. It will cover a back of your wooden spoon thickly. You will see just a few clear whey streaks when you stir.

4. Remove the bowl from the water and let cool for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, line a sieve with four layers of dampened cheesecloth and set it over a bowl. Transfer the mixture into the lined sieve. Do not squeeze the cheese in the cheesecloth or press on its surface (be patient, it will firm up after refrigeration time).

5. Once cooled completely, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate (in the sieve) overnight or up to 24 hours.

Anu Nandu  – (June 7, 2010 at 5:14 PM)  

Yay! I hope I'm the first one to comment! Tiramisu looks awesome - love love love the little cups of delight. Can you please send me one? or two? or all? You can make more for yourself?

Anu Nandu  – (June 7, 2010 at 5:15 PM)  

Yes!!!!! I was the first one. I need tiramisu now to rejoice this big occasion!!

Pavithra Elangovan  – (June 7, 2010 at 5:20 PM)  

Thanks for the quick and lovely comment anu.. unfortunately we ate all the cakes :( only the bowls are left. Sure will pass it on to U when I make next time :)

I'm a Home Chef !!!  – (June 7, 2010 at 5:31 PM)  

ohhhhh yeah you made it!!...wonderful! awesome pictures!

Umm Mymoonah  – (June 7, 2010 at 5:36 PM)  

Looks awesome, very nice pictures.

Satya  – (June 7, 2010 at 5:42 PM)  

hi pavitra ....ur recipe looks yummy n very tempting...and wonderful presentation like always...i am trying to control my weight but i think i have to work hard more :)

Unknown  – (June 7, 2010 at 5:49 PM)  

Dear, that is one of the best tiramisu cakes or cakelettes I have seen and I am not even exaggerating it. It is the best I have seen so far and I am very very sure that it is the best in taste as well :)

Chetana Suvarna Ganatra  – (June 7, 2010 at 5:52 PM)  

Pavithra...they look awesome...loved ur pics too.
Never made mascarpone at home but ur step by step recipe looks less troublesome n easy to make...will keep in mind to make my own cheese next time.
Very inviting Tiramisu.

Dipika  – (June 7, 2010 at 5:56 PM)  

Pavithra...Awesome clicks....Lovely cake..I have a sweet tooth and cant resist to have one..
Looks absolutely professional..

Gr8 gng dear....

Swathi  – (June 7, 2010 at 6:01 PM)  

Pavithra,

Tiramisu cake looks really good.

Cool Lassi(e)  – (June 7, 2010 at 7:08 PM)  

Tiramisu is screaming to be picked up. Heavenly!

Faiza Ali  – (June 7, 2010 at 7:22 PM)  

That looks too good Pavithra...and you have made it in so many different ways..Loved all the pics.

Sailaja Damodaran  – (June 7, 2010 at 7:31 PM)  

wow!!!! you are becoming a great baker.Good luck for more recipies like this.

Love2cook Malaysia  – (June 7, 2010 at 7:49 PM)  

WOW, gorgeous Tiramisu cake dear! Loved to have that some now..huhu!!! Great effort! :D

Nandinis food  – (June 7, 2010 at 7:55 PM)  

Wow! Gorgeous cake! Send me a piece:)

Divya Kudua  – (June 7, 2010 at 8:48 PM)  

Yum..looks wonderful Pavithra.Glad that you could participate and lovely to know that you enjoyed the challenge!!

Hamaree Rasoi  – (June 7, 2010 at 9:16 PM)  

Tiramisu cake looks delicious. thanks for providing step by step illustrations of the preparation method.

Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

Ambika  – (June 7, 2010 at 9:46 PM)  

The cake looks beautiful!! I love the cute individual servings!!

Red Chillies  – (June 7, 2010 at 9:46 PM)  

Fabulous baking Pavithra. It indeed looks moist and delicious.

AJ  – (June 7, 2010 at 10:24 PM)  

The cake looks too good!! And Tiramisu - I love that!!

PJ  – (June 7, 2010 at 10:49 PM)  

oh wow Pavithra, this tiramisu is heavenly!! so so so tempting and beautiful presentation.

Unknown  – (June 7, 2010 at 11:13 PM)  

Tats a lot of effort Pavi...looks wonderful..looks so tasty

KavyaNaimish  – (June 7, 2010 at 11:40 PM)  

Tiramisu looks wonderful...
BTW is there a event going in any blog?

Swapna  – (June 7, 2010 at 11:49 PM)  

Gorgeous Tiramisu Pavithra!!

Unknown  – (June 8, 2010 at 12:35 AM)  

I liked your presentation very much, really nice :)

Raks  – (June 8, 2010 at 1:51 AM)  

Awesome and excellent effort pavi,great result too,hope you enjoyed the TIRAMISU!

BeenaShylesh  – (June 8, 2010 at 2:12 AM)  

wow swwt punch is delisious dear...nice work done...........

Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen  – (June 8, 2010 at 2:22 AM)  

Tiramisu is very tempting!!!!! Love those clicks!!!

Anuradha  – (June 8, 2010 at 2:39 AM)  

Oh wow... I love Tiramisu though i dont like coffee. I dont know how that works... I have had loads in the USA from an Italian bakery. Of course its calorie building. But just cant stop having it. Incidently just had one here in India last weekend. It was no where near the original taste. Your pics look very very tempting and lovely.

Priya Suresh  – (June 8, 2010 at 2:55 AM)  

Omg look at those beauties, wat a beautiful work Pavi..Looks tremendous dear..

Shabs..  – (June 8, 2010 at 3:22 AM)  

After seeing the sweet ppunch all around,i feel like having some for myself....slurp....ur pics and garnishing looks real good.

Suma Rowjee  – (June 8, 2010 at 3:23 AM)  

Drooling big time her and shamelessly!!:-)) Looks sinful and oh so gorgeous!!!

Suma Rowjee  – (June 8, 2010 at 3:32 AM)  

Opps.. ,meant to say drooling big time here..

Kanchan  – (June 8, 2010 at 3:46 AM)  

Awesome pavithra .. it looks directly from bakery !

Looks too good ! beautiful pics !

Indian Khana  – (June 8, 2010 at 4:05 AM)  

Oh God Pavithra this is to real killl us...looks at the pics..awesome...am doing seriously drooling now...wonderful dear....

jayasree  – (June 8, 2010 at 4:31 AM)  

I am drooling here... can't take my eyes off the pics..Gorgeous cakes and delightful presentation. One of the best I have seen here.

lata raja  – (June 8, 2010 at 4:32 AM)  

I am most certainly not going to attempt baking such a beautiful cake Pavithra. But I can have a piece of that right away. What an effort girl!

Aparna  – (June 8, 2010 at 5:49 AM)  

pavithra awesome cake...i need a piece 4rm that, i can finish off in a sec

Pari Vasisht  – (June 8, 2010 at 5:56 AM)  

Very neat work with the frosting and cocoa powder dear. The cake looks awesome.

Aruna Manikandan  – (June 8, 2010 at 6:45 AM)  

cake looks gorgeous dear!!!!!
wht a presentation, Hats off dear:-)

Finla  – (June 8, 2010 at 8:27 AM)  

Beautiful looking and so so yumm.

Unknown  – (June 8, 2010 at 8:28 AM)  

The cake looks fabulous and so does your photography..

Panchpakwan  – (June 8, 2010 at 8:53 AM)  

Cake looks sooo yummy..Beautiful presentation and clicks.

Wish I could have some!!

Rachana  – (June 8, 2010 at 9:34 AM)  

Tiramisu looks awesome. Its one of my favourite desserts :-)

Deepti  – (June 8, 2010 at 10:05 AM)  

This is just amazing n it came out very well.

Manjulaprabakaran  – (June 8, 2010 at 10:22 AM)  

Hi pavi, really its mouth watering and lovely presentation. Awesome.

Manjulaprabakaran  – (June 8, 2010 at 10:23 AM)  

Hi pavi, really its mouth watering and lovely presentation. Awesome.

SpicyTasty  – (June 8, 2010 at 11:12 AM)  

Awesome pics!! Love the recipe, I've always wanted to try tiramisu cake. Bookmarked it.

This could make for a great entry in to our Sizzling Summer Contest. check it out in ST. you could win one of two $50 prizes.

Angie's Recipes  – (June 8, 2010 at 12:19 PM)  

A beautiuflly presented Italian sweets....I too want a large slice!

Anonymous –   – (June 8, 2010 at 2:01 PM)  

OMG! u shud not do this pavithra..tiramisu looks out of the world.lovely

Cynthia  – (June 8, 2010 at 8:14 PM)  

Wow, you totally outdid yourself. Excellent job.

Spice  – (June 8, 2010 at 11:01 PM)  

OMG ! pavithra cake look so awesome...wish I could have some...

Valarmathi Sanjeev  – (June 9, 2010 at 12:32 AM)  

Wow......... cake looks awesome and fantastic. As usual nice clicks and beautiful presentation.

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover  – (June 9, 2010 at 12:35 AM)  

Wor, this sound amazing, even with the homemade cheese,well done!

Parita  – (June 9, 2010 at 2:22 AM)  

WOW! Cake looks fantastic...I am so tempted to make this right away!

Chitra  – (June 9, 2010 at 4:52 AM)  

Cake looks awewsome..U r rocking :)

Ria Mathew  – (June 9, 2010 at 10:45 AM)  

Beautifully done, Pavithra! Thanks for joining us at Sweet Punch!

Nithya  – (June 9, 2010 at 12:24 PM)  

looks fantastic.. perfect and yummy to the core :)

Nammaruchi.blogspt.com  – (June 10, 2010 at 2:30 AM)  

Fabulous tiramisu cake...very tempting:))

Seema  – (June 11, 2010 at 9:51 AM)  

Hey, your cake and cakelettes have turned out extraordinarily beautiful. It's so humble of you to have called my cake gorgeous... I am a total novice when it comes to decorating my cakes. Request you to make a post on cake decoration for starters coz you sure seem to be an expert dear.

FoodLovers  – (June 12, 2010 at 9:40 AM)  

Pavitha ur tiramisu cake looks absoultly marvellous dear ...
can i get a bite from ur cake ..
makes me hungry now ...
i love tiramisu but worried abt the cheesecontent so i always stop my self but looking at urs again going back and making it again dear

M D  – (June 13, 2010 at 6:09 AM)  

I am ardent lover of Tiramisu. Loved the thought of making them home. Nice recipe to start with for ur sweet punch. Surely a great treat!

Padmajha  – (June 13, 2010 at 6:10 AM)  

Awesome cake!!!!Lovely presentation!!!

Vasavi Suresh  – (June 13, 2010 at 11:59 AM)  

As usual your pictures are awesome. Love the cake too. Shall definitely try this.

Rach  – (June 15, 2010 at 5:27 AM)  

Tiramisu is a dessert for gods. And you have made it excatly that way :) Lovely and heavenly :) Awesome clicks. You have presented it like a pastry chef! Are you one??? :)

Usha  – (June 15, 2010 at 9:25 AM)  

Tiramisu looks awesome and just perfect !

Mansi  – (June 16, 2010 at 12:28 PM)  

Wow, that Tirmisu looks sooo good!!! and the post shows how much effort you put into making these!

btw, I'm hosting a Magic Bullet giveaway on my blog, and it'd be great if you could participate!

hope to see you around!:)

MiniBinoy  – (October 9, 2010 at 2:24 AM)  

Oh My My!!luscious!!N seductive!!thats all I can say!!!illustrations are very clear.

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