Raspberry Cakes For Two Recipes

Steps:

• Cake Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray each cake pan with non-stick cooking spray, line with parchment paper and spray again. Follow directions on cake mix boxes to create 3 cakes of each size, but substitute grape juice for water in cake recipes. Bake each cake as per directions on box or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans on cooling racks and cool completely. After removing cakes from pans and parchment paper, cut each cake in half horizontally and level off tops of each section by slicing thin layer off top.
• Filling and Frosting Preparations: In a large bowl, combine frosting with a few drops of Champagne extract, stirring well. For each size cake, place bottom layer atop cardboard round of matching diameter. Pipe a ring of lemon frosting around top edges of bottom layer. Fill in center with raspberry jam. Stack next layer of cake atop this and repeat ring of frosting. Fill in center with lemon curd. Stack top layer of cake atop this with smooth edges facing upward. Spread icing over entirety of cake. Repeat this process to create a 14-inch cake, a 10-inch cake, and a 6-inch cake, which will make up finished wedding cake. Stack layered cakes atop one another from largest to smallest.
• To Assemble: Without removing the cardboard rounds from underneath the cakes, place the 14 inch cake onto serving platter. Cut dowel rods into 5 sections the height of the 14 inch cake, and 5 sections the height of the 10 inch cake. Carefully insert 4 dowel rods around the middle perimeter of the 14-inch cake and 1 in the middle. Stack the 10-inch cake atop the 14-inch cake. Repeat dowel insertion process for the10-inch cake. Stack the 6-inch cake atop the 10-inch cake. Cover up cardboard by piping icing around perimeter base of each cake. Dust mini green grapes liberally with powdered sugar and adorn cakes with them. Further adorn cake with white ribbon. Find mate, wed, serve.
• *Champagne extract is available at most specialty baking and cake decorating stores. .

Steps:

• for frosting, in small bowl beat cream cheese and butter with electric mixer on medium heat until smooth. Beat in lemon curd. Add powdered sugar; beat until smooth and fluffy. Set aside.
• Place two cakes, well sides up, on two dessert plates. Divide berries, in a single layer, between wells of two cakes. Spoon 1/2 tablespoon of preserves over each. Place remaining cakes, well sides down, over filling. Spread frosting on cakes. Serve immediately or refrigerate, loosely covered, up to 48 hours. Makes 2 cakes (4 servings).

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190c/fan 170c/gas 5. Butter 2 x 20cm sandwich tins and line each with a circle of baking parchment. In a large bowl, beat together all the cake ingredients until you have a smooth, soft mixture. Spoon the mixture equally into the two tins, smoothing over the top of each with the back of the spoon. Bake in the oven for 20 mins until golden and the cake springs back when gently pressed. Turn the cakes onto a cooling rack.
• Heat the sugar, 2 tbsp water and Disaronno together until the sugar has dissolved. Leave to cool, about 10 mins. Use a large serrated knife to cut each cake in half. Brush the syrup all over all four pieces of cake with a pastry brush.
• For the filling, whip the cream until it forms soft peaks. Beat the mascarpone and caster sugar in a large bowl to loosen, then fold in the cream and mix together until smooth.
• Spoon a third of the cream mixture over one of the cake halves. Scatter over some of the fruit (you don't want to cover the cake), then sandwich another half on top. Spread with cream and fruit as before and top with another half of cake and more cream and berries. Lay the final cake half on top. Gently press down, then wrap tightly in cling film and leave in the fridge overnight. To stop the cream from melting, this cake needs to be transported to the picnic in a cooler box. At the picnic, carefully remove clingfilm and dust with icing sugar to decorate, if you like.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 in square baking pan with foil; extend foil 2 in over 2 opposite sides. With cooking spray. Flour foil and tap out excess.
• In a large bowl cream butter and 1 cup sugar with an electric mixer. Add eggs, one at a time, then vanilla, lemon juice and zest. On low speed, beat in flour, baking powder and salt. Add milk and beat until blended. Gently fold in raspberries, a rubber spatula works well.
• Spread batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Remove from oven and cool in pan 10 minutes. Lift cake from pan by foil and place on a rack to cool completely.
• Remove foil and place cake on a serving plate. Garnish with powdered sugar and fresh raspberries.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, gelatin, eggs, oil and water; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Stir in raspberries. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool. , For frosting, in a large bowl, fold whipped topping into raspberries. Spread over cake. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. Store in the refrigerator. Garnish with fresh raspberries if desired.