Holiday Mirror Glaze Poke Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare the cake layers in two 8-inch cake pans according to the package directions; let cool completely in the pans on a rack. Level the domed tops of the cakes with a serrated knife, then invert the cakes out of their pans. Clean and dry the cake pans; return the cooled cakes cut-side up to the pans. Poke the cakes every 1/2 inch with a chopstick.
• Stir together the lime gelatin and 1 cup boiling water in a small bowl until completely dissolved; let cool for 10 minutes. Pour over the cakes and refrigerate until the gelatin is absorbed, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the cakes from the pans (if they stick, dip the pans in hot water for 10 seconds to loosen). Place one cake on a large plate. Frost the top with 1 cup of the frosting in an even layer. Top with the second cake and frost the whole cake with the remaining frosting, making it as smooth as possible. Freeze for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, stir together the raspberry gelatin and 1/4 cup boiling water in a small bowl until completely dissolved.
• Combine the sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is clear, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the raspberry gelatin mixture and the white chocolate. Let sit until the chocolate has melted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the condensed milk and blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth. Let the mixture cool to 95 degrees F on an instant-read digital thermometer.
• Remove the cake from the freezer and place on a cooling rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour about two-thirds of the raspberry-white chocolate glaze over the cake. Swirl several drops of red food coloring into the remaining glaze and then pour it over the cake (the whole cake should be covered in the glaze). Let set for 15 minutes, then transfer the cake to a serving platter and refrigerate until firm, 1 to 2 hours.

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat four 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and dust with flour, tapping out the excess. (If you don't have 4 pans, make 1 box of cake mix at a time and use half of the food coloring in each batch.)
• Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions. Divide the batter among 3 bowls. Add the green food coloring to one, the pink to the next and the yellow to the last. Create a tie-dye pattern by randomly adding a quarter-cup scoop of different color batters to the pans, dividing the batters among the 4 prepared pans. Use a toothpick to swirl the colors. Tap to release air bubbles and bake, rotating the pans from top to bottom halfway through baking, until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 28 minutes. Let cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and cool completely.
• For the buttercream: Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and light, about 1 minute. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat on low to incorporate, then increase the speed to medium high and beat until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and then the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting is easily spreadable.
• Cut the domed tops from the cakes to make them flat. Frost the top of one cake layer with about 1/2 cup frosting. Set another layer on top and frost again. Repeat with the third layer, then end with the last layer bottom-side up on top. Coat the cake with a very thin layer of frosting to crumb coat, then chill until set, about 15 minutes.
• Set the cake on a cake stand and spread the remaining frosting on the cake in a smooth layer. Freeze at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
• For the glaze: Combine the marshmallows and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until the mixture is smooth and melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly stir in the tonic water; the glaze should be pourable, but still coat the back of a spatula.
• Divide the glaze among 3 bowls. Stir in the food coloring: green in one bowl, pink in the next and leave the last bowl white.
• Place the cake on a cake turntable with a baking sheet underneath or balance the cake on a large soup can with a baking sheet underneath. Pour the glazes over the cake in a circular pattern, starting at the edges and working your way into the middle, alternating the colors and making sure to cover the whole cake. Let the glaze drip off for about 15 minutes, then transfer to the fridge to set.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 8-inch cake pans with baking spray and line the bottoms with parchment rounds.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Beat the granulated sugar and butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to medium low; beat in half the flour mixture, then all of the milk and then the remaining flour mixture until just combined.
• Separate the batter into 6 different bowls and tint one bowl red, one orange, one yellow, one green, one blue and one purple. Transfer each color to a separate disposable pastry bag or resealable ziptop bag. Pipe half of the red batter into the center of one of the prepared pans, then pipe the remaining red batter into the center of the second pan. Pipe half the orange batter into the center of the red batter in the first pan, then repeat with the remaining orange batter in the second pan, tapping the pans gently as needed to level out the batter. Repeat with the remaining colored batter until all the batter is piped and both cake pans are about half full.
• Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer the pans to a rack and let cool 10 minutes, then invert the cakes onto a wire rack and cool completely.
• To decorate: Using a serrated knife, level the top of each cake layer. Spread a small amount of Buttercream Frosting onto an 8-inch cake board. Place one cake layer onto the cake board bottom-side up. Add about 1/2 cup of frosting to the top of the cake and smooth to an even layer. Invert the second cake layer over top of the frosting layer. Using an offset spatula, frost the cake with an even coat of frosting. Refrigerate to set and chill, about 3 hours.
• Place the chilled cake onto a wire rack fitted inside a baking sheet. When the Mirror Glaze is the proper temperature, pour the colors together into a single container for a swirled effect. Pour the glaze over the cake, then let it stand to set before transferring to a cake stand.
• Combine the confectioners' sugar, butter and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until mostly incorporated. Add the vanilla, increase the speed to medium high and mix until smooth. Adjust the consistency with milk as desired.
• Whisk together the gelatin and 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl; set aside to bloom.
• Combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is clear, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin to dissolve. Add the white chocolate and let stand 1 minute to melt. Add the condensed milk and combine with an immersion blender until emulsified and smooth.
• Divide the glaze into bowls and color as desired. When the glaze is between 75 and 80 degrees F, it is ready to pour.

Steps:

• Place 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl and whisk in the gelatin. Set aside to bloom for a few minutes.
• Combine the sugar, corn syrup and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is clear, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the bloomed gelatin, whisking until dissolved. Add the white chocolate and allow to sit 1 minute to melt. Add the condensed milk and 1 teaspoon of white gel food coloring. Combine with an immersion blender until emulsified and smooth. Let cool until the mixture registers 100 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
• Divide the glaze evenly among 3 small bowls. Using an immersion blender, add 3 drops of fuchsia food coloring to the first bowl and combine. Add 4 drops of purple food coloring to the second bowl and combine. Add 5 drops of blue food coloring to the third bowl and combine. The temperature of the colored glazes should be 95 degrees F before pouring.
• Place your frozen frosted cake on top of an inverted cake pan resting on top of a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack. Starting at the center of the cake, pour the glazes over it, alternating to swirl the colors. Use a small offset spatula to create more swirls if desired. Dust with flakes of gold leaf. Refrigerate the cake for 1 to 2 hours before serving.

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Butter the bottom and sides of two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper and butter the parchment. Flour the pans and tap out the excess.
• Mix the coconut milk, water, vanilla bean paste and coconut extract in a liquid measuring cup. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and 1 cup granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce the speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the coconut milk mixture. Increase the speed to medium high; beat until smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Beat the egg whites in a clean bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until foamy. Gradually beat in the remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar until stiff glossy peaks form, 5 minutes. Fold half the egg whites into the batter, then fold in the rest. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and smooth the tops, then tap the pans against the counter to remove any air bubbles.
• Bake the cakes until the centers spring back when gently pressed, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 15 minutes in the pans. Loosen the edges with a knife and turn out the cakes onto the rack; remove the parchment and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese, butter and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low; beat in half of the confectioners' sugar until combined. Beat in the remaining confectioners' sugar and the coconut extract. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Remove 1 cup frosting to a separate bowl; mix in the shredded coconut.
• Put one cake on an 8-inch cardboard round. Spread the shredded coconut frosting on top, then top with the second cake. Spread a thin layer of the regular frosting over the top and sides of the cake (some crumbs are fine). Refrigerate 30 minutes, then cover with the remaining frosting, making it as smooth as possible. Refrigerate overnight or freeze for 2 hours.
• Make the mirror glaze: Sprinkle the gelatin over 1/4 cup water in a small bowl; stir and set aside 5 minutes. Combine 3/4 cup water, the granulated sugar and condensed milk in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve. Remove from the heat, add the gelatin mixture and stir to dissolve.
• Pour the hot gelatin mixture over the white chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl; let stand 5 minutes, then whisk until melted. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Divide between two small bowls; tint one white and one blue. Let sit, stirring occasionally, until thickened and a thermometer registers 90˚ F.
• Pour half of the white glaze into a medium bowl, then pour one-third of the blue glaze into the center. Pour half of the remaining white glaze into the center of the blue to create a bull's-eye. Set aside the remaining glazes for touch-ups.
• Position the cake (on the cardboard) on a small upside-down bowl set on a rimmed baking sheet. Starting along the outer edge, slowly pour the glaze in circles around the cake, working your way toward the center, until the cake is covered, letting the excess drip down the sides. Touch up any bare spots with the remaining glazes; sprinkle with edible glitter. Let stand until the dripping stops, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate until set, 1 to 3 hours.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line the base of three 18cm sandwich tins with baking parchment. Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla together in a large bowl with an electric whisk for 8-10 mins, or until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift in the flour, baking powder and a pinch of fine salt, and fold in using a large metal spoon. Add just enough of the milk to create a dropping consistency.
• Divide the batter between the prepared tins and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 mins or until golden and firm to the touch. Leave to cool slightly in the tins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the cake is cooling, make the buttercream icing. Beat together the butter, icing sugar and vanilla until pale and fluffy, beating in 4-6 tbsp hot water to loosen the mixture if necessary.
• Stack the sponges, spreading the buttercream over each one using a palette knife, then use the palette knife to roughly coat the outside of the cakes with the remaining buttercream to create a crumb coat. Chill in the fridge for 30 mins.
• Using more of the icing, spread it over the chilled cake using your palette knife so that there's an even layer of buttercream across the whole cake and over the top. Chill in the fridge for 2 hrs until set, or ideally overnight.
• To make the mirror glaze, soak the gelatine leaves in cold water for 5 mins until softened completely, then drain. Put the sugar, 200ml water and the condensed milk in a pan, whisk together, bring to the boil, then whisk in the drained gelatine leaves. Put the white chocolate in a bowl, pour over the sugar mix in the pan and leave for 1 min to melt. Whisk everything together, then divide into three bowls.
• Using the gel colourings, colour each bowl a different shade. Put one of the colours that you would like to use as an accent colour on top to one side. Stir all of the colours occasionally leaving them to sit until they reach 30-32C so they are thick enough to glaze the cake without being too thin and running off the edges. Once at that temperature, pour the remaining two colours on top of each other and stir slightly to marble them together.
• Place your chilled iced cake onto a cooling rack set in a deep tray (to collect the excess glaze). Pour over the mirror glaze which should be at 30-32C, allowing it to drip down the sides. Drizzle over the accent colour you've saved then, using a paint brush, flick over some gold lustre, if using. Leave it to set completely before slicing and serving. Will keep, in the fridge, for up to three days.