Hedgehog Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a stainless-steel bowl that is 10 inches across and 4 1/2 to 6 inches deep; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter, 2 cups sugar, and vanilla seeds on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in four parts, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour; beat until just combined. Transfer mixture to a large, wide bowl; set aside.
• In the clean bowl of electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites and a pinch of salt on high until soft peaks form. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, and continue to beat until stiff medium-stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Whisk one-third of the beaten whites into the batter to lighten the mixture, then use a rubber spatula to gently fold in remaining whites until just combined.
• Pour batter into prepared bowl and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Bake, rotating bowl halfway through, until golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes clean, about 1 hour, 40 minutes. Transfer bowl to a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes. Invert cake onto the rack and let cool completely.
• Line a bowl slightly smaller than the cake with plastic wrap, leaving some overhang. Fit cake into bowl. Using a serrated knife, trim the bottom of the cake to make level. Invert cake onto a clean work surface or cake turntable. Using a serrated knife, cut cake horizontally into four layers of approximately the same height.
• Place the bottom (largest) layer on a cardboard round or serving plate. Brush the top liberally with Amaretto Simple Syrup. Using an offset spatula, evenly spread about 1 cup Almond Buttercream over the top, about 1/4 inch thick. Top with the next-largest layer, and brush with syrup. Spread apricot jam in an even layer over the top. Place the next-largest layer, and brush with syrup. Spread about ½ cup buttercream over the top. Place remaining (smallest) layer on top. Brush the surface of the entire cake with syrup. Spread about 1/2 cup buttercream over the entire cake in a thin layer. Cake can be made up to this point up to 1 day in advance; refrigerate, covered, until ready to proceed.
• Fill a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip (such as an Ateco #5) with Almond Swiss Meringue. Pipe stars to cover the entire surface of the cake, pulling up as you pipe to form points. Using a small kitchen torch, lightly brown the meringue all over. Garnish cake with coffee beans to form the eyes and a nose of the hedgehog. Let cake stand at room temperature until ready to serve, up to 6 hours.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease and base line a 1 litre heatproof glass pudding basin and a 450g loaf tin with baking parchment.
• Put the butter and chocolate into a saucepan and melt over a low heat, stirring. When the chocolate has all melted remove from the heat.
• In a large bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and muscovado sugar. In another bowl beat together the eggs, soured cream and vanilla extract. Pour the egg and chocolate mixtures into the flour and mix thoroughly together.
• Weigh 250g into the loaf tin, then spoon the rest of the mixture into the pudding basin.
• Cook both cakes side by side in the oven. The loaf cake will cook in about 30 mins and the basin cake in about 1 hour. Take the loaf cake out of the oven and close the oven door quickly so as not to allow the heat out. Test with a skewer inserted into the centre, it should come out clean. If not return to the oven for another five mins. Repeat with the basin cake after about another half an hour. Once each cake is cooked, allow to cool completely before turning out.
• To make the icing, mix together the cocoa and water to make a smooth paste. Beat the butter until soft and gradually beat in the icing sugar. Add the cocoa paste and beat until smooth.
• To assemble the cake, trim the top of the basin cake so it is flat. Turn cut side down onto a board and cut in half vertically. Spread a little butter icing on each of the flat bases and sandwich these two buttercreamed surfaces together to make a rugby ball shape for the hedgehog body. Place onto a 30cm cake board or wooden board. Cut the loaf cake in half vertically. Take one half and trim the short end to a v shape to make the pointy head. Use a little icing to attach to the body. Cut pieces from the remaining loaf cake to fill any gaps. Cover the whole cake in butter icing.
• Cut the flake bars into pieces ranging from 2.5cm to 5cm. The spikes do not have to be regular or even in shape. Starting at the front push the spikes into the body of the hedgehog at a slight angle. Start with the small pieces gradually using larger ones as you go towards the back. Press a round chocolate into the tip of the head to represent the nose and use chocolate chips for the eyes. Using a tiny bit of butter icing attach sliver or gold balls to the eyes.
• The cake is best made the day before cutting and icing and will keep well for 3-4 days.

Steps:

• Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Whisk sugar, shortening, corn syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Stir sugar mixture into flour mixture until just combined. Refrigerate dough until chilled, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Scoop cookie dough using a cookie scoop or 1 tablespoon so all the cookies are uniform; shape dough into teardrop-shaped cookies. Flatten the pointed side of each cookie to form the 'face'. Arrange cookies on baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
• Pulse pecans in a food processor until finely chopped; transfer to a bowl.
• Melt chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching.
• Dip the top of each cookie in the melted chocolate, spreading to fully coat the 'body' of each hedgehog. Press cookies, chocolate-side down, into the ground pecans forming the 'fur'. Arrange cookies on a sheet of waxed paper to set, about 30 minutes.
• Transfer the remaining melted chocolate to a piping bag or plastic bag with a corner snipped. Pipe chocolate onto the pointed end of each cookie for eyes and a nose.

Steps:

• Before you begin, you will want to gather a few supplies: candy thermometer, pink and blue icing gel, 2 piping bags, large round piping tip, small round piping tip, wax paper, pastry brush, offset spatula, toothpicks, and a sprinkle mix (if using) to decorate the top of the cake. .
• In a high speed blender combine the eggs, milk, and vanilla, and blend until foamy. Add the sugar, flour, and salt, and blend just until combined (with no visible lumps).
• Transfer to a medium sized bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• You can make the marshmallows while the crepe batter rests! Begin by combining the marshmallow coating powder ingredients in an airtight container. Set aside.
• Line a baking tray with wax paper and sift the coating powder over the top. Fit 2 piping bags with the round piping tips. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, add 1/3 cup cold water, sprinkle the unflavored gelatin on top, and stir to combine. Allow the gelatin to bloom while heating the sugar mixture.
• Add the sugar, corn syrup, 1/4 cup cold water, and salt to a medium sized saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves then add the candy thermometer, and raise the heat to high. Cook on high (without stirring) until the temperature reaches 240°F.
• With the mixer on low speed, VERY carefully and slowly pour the hot sugar into the softened gelatin. Gradually increase the speed to high, and continue to whip until soft peaks form and hold their shape (about 8-10 minutes).
• Add the vanilla extract and mix again just until combined. Transfer the marshmallow to the prepared piping bags.
• Use the bag fitted with the large round piping tip to first pipe an oval shape onto the wax paper pulling and releasing into a point for the hedgehog's nose. You can use water to smooth any lumps or peaks. Just dip a clean finger into a bowl with a little water and smooth the marshmallow. Try to work fairly quickly as the marshmallow starts to set fast (I like to make 3 hedgehogs at a time).
• Once you have 3 bodies piped you can sprinkle on any color of jimmies, that you'd like, for the spines. Then use the piping bag fitted with the small round tip to pipe an ear onto each side of the face. I like to use a little water to flatten and mold it a bit into the right shape. Allow the marshmallow to set for at least 7 hours or overnight before handling. Once set you can use the coating powder to dust any sticky spots. .
• When the crepe batter is ready divide it evenly into 3 bowls. Use toothpicks to color each as vivid or softly as you would like with the icing gels, combining the pink and blue gels to make purple. .
• Heat a large nonstick skillet, or crepe press, over medium-low heat. Lightly brush with the melted butter, and scoop about 1/3 cup of the crepe batter onto the middle of the skillet or press.
• Swirl the batter around the pan to evenly coat the bottom (or follow the crepe press instructions). Cook until the bottom of the crepe feels set - about 1-2 minutes. Then use chopsticks or a spatula to very carefully lift and flip the crepe. Cook for 45 seconds to 1 minute more until set. You will want to add a little more butter between every crepe to keep them from sticking. If the crepes are spreading too thin or tearing lower the heat and cook a little longer. Make about 6-7 crepes in each color, working with one color at a time. .
• Once all crepes are cooked transfer them to the refrigerator to cool while working on the filling.
• Place your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for 15 minutes. Once they are fully chilled add all the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla to the mixing bowl, and mix on low slowly working your way up to high speed (so it doesn't splatter). Then continue to beat for about 5 minutes until the filling is light and fluffy. Crush the Oreos, and fold into the whipped cream (you can reserve some whipped cream without cookies for the top of the cake if you would like).
• Time to build the cake! Start with the purple crepes, and place one onto your cake plate or stand. Use an offset spatula to apply a thin layer of the cookies & cream whipped cream on top (leaving a thin border around the edge). Continue to add the crepes, using all of one color at a time, while adding the cream in between each layer working from purple to pink. When you get to the top crepe, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.
• While the cake chills you can finish up those cute hedgehogs :). Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips and use a toothpick to dot the nose and eyes onto each marshmallow.
• When you are ready to serve the cake add the rest of the whipped cream and decorate the top with the hedgehog marshmallows and sprinkles (party hat optional), enjoy!

Steps:

• Beat Neufchatel cheese in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Add melted chocolate and sugar; mix well. Gently stir in whipped topping. Remove 1 Tbsp. of the Neufchatel cheese mixture for later use; spread small amount of the remaining cream cheese mixture between each of 16 of the cookies to form two logs of 8 cookies each.
• Place logs, side-by-side, on serving platter for the "hedgehog's body." Add remaining 2 cookies to one end for the "face" as shown in photo. Spread face and body with remaining Neufchatel ixture until completely covered.
• Cut each apricot to resemble a foot with claws; attach to the body with the reserved Neufchatel cheese mixture. Press chocolate triangles into the "body" to resemble quills. Decorate with white chocolate chips for the "eyes," jelly bean for the "nose" and licorice for the "whiskers." Store in refrigerator.