Spring Easter Cake Recipes

Steps:

• 1. 1. Preheat oven to 350° F (moderate). Grease and flour a cake pan. 2. In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and butter until a smooth cream. Incorporate eggs and then the vanilla. 3. Mix the flour and baking powder, add to creamed mixture and mix well. Finally, add the milk until mixture is smooth. Place on prepared pan. 4. Bake 30 to 40 minutes. If making muffins, bake 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.
• 2. In a small bowl, place 1/2 cup of fresh raspberries and set aside (if using frozen berries, skip this step). In a large saucepan, place the remaining raspberries along with 1 1/4 cup of water, sugar and lemon juice. Bring it to a boil and allow to cook, stirring the berries occasionally. They'll eventually break down in about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and strain the berry mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds. Place the mixture back into the saucepan over medium low heat. In a small bowl, prepare a slurry by combining the remaining 1/2 cup of water and the vanilla with the cornstarch. Pour this slurry into the saucepan with the strained raspberry mixture. Mix well over medium low heat until it starts to thicken. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely. Place in cake layers, bottom side up; spread with raspberry mixture, leaving a 1-inch border.
• 3. Chocolate Ganache: Place the chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil, watching very carefully because if it boils for a few seconds, it will boil out of the pot. When the cream has come to a boil, pour over the chopped chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Stir in rum if desired. Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring over a cake. Start at the center of the cake and work outward. For a fluffy frosting or chocolate filling, allow it to cool until thick, then whip with a whisk until light and fluffy.
• 4. HELPFUL TIPS: When the cake is ready put in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours , then everyone is ready for dessert , cut the slices of cake with a hot knife. Put the knife in very hot water ,dry the knife and cut the cake ... and enjoy =D

Steps:

• Cream the margarine & sugar until it's light & creamy. Beat in the eggs & lemon zest. Slowly add the sifted flour & baking powder & mix well but gently. Add the water & mix.
• Pour into a lined & greased baking tin. I use either a tall 5" round tin or a shallow 12" round tin (if having a plain- unfilled but iced cake) - both work very well & I've also seen others using square pans & bundt tins -- Bake in a preheated oven at 180C for 40-45 minutes; test to see if it is done - it may need a few extra minutes. If cooked, turn off oven & allow cake to rest in it for around 3 minutes.
• Filling:.
• Beat the margarine / butter until creamy. Slowly add enough icing sugar to reach a consistency you like. Tint yellow if desired. When the cake has cooled completely, use a bread knife to cut the cake into 3 layers. Divide the filling in half & spread onto bottom & middle layers using a pallet knife or similar.
• Icing.
• After filling the cake, put the top layer back in place. Trim off any edges or bumps etc. Mix the sifted icing sugar with the lemon juice & enough water to get a very thick but spoonable consistency. Tint with colouring if desired & carefully spoon over the top of the cake. The icing will slowly begin to drip down the sides of the cake - take a pallet knife & carefully run it around the sides of the cake to ensure & even covering.
• When the icing is almost set, run a clean damp finger or knife handle around the rim of the plate (if serving on it) & top with chocolate mini eggs or other decorations of your choice.