Smetanik Cake


 

smetanik cake

 

Smetanik cake is a Russian sour cream cake with sour cream frosting. It’s not overly sweet and the cream feels really light and smooth. If you love moist cakes you can add sugar syrup to moisten it, if you’re more on the drier type cake then skip this step. You can also add raspberries (my fave..) or any other berries for a little sour sweetness. My family loves this cake, it’s one of our favorites.

 

Ingredients:

6 eggs

1 1/4 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon baking soda + 2 tablespoons vinegar(combined)

1 1/2 cup flour

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

 

Cream/frosting:

8 ozs cream cheese

8 ozs condensed milk

1  1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Sugar syrup

1/2 cup cold boiling water with 1 tablespoon sugar for soaking

Optional-

raspberries,strawberries,blueberries,or bananas.

Direction:

Heat oven to 325 F degrees

Prepare two 9 inch cake pans lined with parchment paper and greased or sprayed with non-stick baking spray.

Beat eggs with sugar using electric mixer on high speed.

Add in sour cream,vanilla,and baking soda mixed with vinegar.

Continue to mix on medium-high speed until well incorporated.

Sift flour directly in the bowl with cake batter.

Mix gently using a whisk, always working one direction.

Divide mixture in half.

Add cocoa to one half,and mix it in with a whisk.

Pour cake batter into prepared cake pans. (1 for white cake,1 for chocolate cake)

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until when toothpick inserted and comes out clean.

Let cool.

Cream-

Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese on high speed, scraping the sides when needed.

Bring down the speed to medium and gradually add condensed milk.

Add in powdered sugar, sour cream, and vanilla.

Bring the speed up to high and continue mixing for about another minute or so.

 

Assembling-

Slice really carefully both cakes in half.

Cut off tiny amount of cake from around the sides of the cake.Set aside, we will need it for later.

Starting with chocolate layer, spray or pour (using a spoon) some sugar syrup on the cutted side of the cake layer.

Add good amount of cream.  If adding any berries or bananas, arrange them on top of cream.

Place white cake layer on top of cream, and repeat the steps. If adding berries or bananas, Arrange them on every other layer.

Using a shredder, Shred cake pieces in to tiny crumbs.

Add the crumbs to the sides and top of the cake. Or you can use chocolate/vanilla wafers or chocolate wafer candy (shredded)

Decorate with berries or as desired.

Refrigerate for at least 6 hours.

 

smetanik cake

 

 

 

 

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:154]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Dulce de leche Tiramisu Cake


 

coffee cake

Dulce de leche Tiramisu cake is a well loved classic cake with a twist. This cake is replaced with sponge cake for lady fingers and with creamy dulce de leche frosting. Always perfect dessert for any occasion.

 

Ingredients for cake:

8 eggs

1 1/3 cups sugar

1 1/3 cup flour sifted

Cream:

4 ozs. cream cheese

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 can (8 ozs) cooked condensed milk or dulce de leche

17.5 ozs. mascarpone cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Other ingredients:

3/4 cup coffee

1/2 cup Kahlua liqueur

toasted hazelnuts (optional)

 

Directions:

On high speed beat eggs with sugar.

When the batter is stiff and light, add flour and mix it gently and well on low .

Pour the batter into 10 ”* round baking pan and bake for about 35-40 minutes.

Let the cake cool.

*if using 9” reduce to 7 eggs,1 1/4 cup sugar and flour.

Cream:

In Stand/hand mixer beat cream cheese with dulce de leche.

Add mascarpone cream and beat not more then a minute, just until well combined.

In a separate bowl beat together heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar.

Gently fold in whipped cream into dulce de leche cream.

In a small bowl or spray bottle combine coffee with kahlua liqueur.

Assembling:

Divide the sponge cake in half.

Soak the bottom layer with coffee mixture.

Spread good amount of frosting.

If desired, sprinkle toasted crushed hazelnuts.

Soak the other half of sponge cake, and place it on top of the bottom layer.

Spread frosting all over the cake reserving some frosting for decoration.

Decorate as desired. Dust with cocoa powder.

 

 

coffee cake

 

 




Best German Chocolate Cake Recipe


german chocolate cake

 

This is the best German chocolate cake recipe ever! Perfect,rich, and moist chocolate cake with creamy, nutty, coconut, caramel like frosting. It’s one of our favorite chocolate cakes. This is the BEST chocolate layer cake that can be used with other frostings and/or fillings.

 

Ingredients:

Chocolate cake-

2 cups all-urpose flour

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup cocoa  (I used raw cocoa)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil or any other unflavored oil.

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

 

Frosting:

1 can  or 1 1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 1/4 cup white sugar

3 egg yolks beaten with 1 teaspoon water

3/4 cup butter

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

1 1/2 cup flaked coconut

1 3/4 tablespoons cornstarch

 

Chocolate cream:*

4 ozs. cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

* Or double the recipe for frosting

 

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease 2 (9-inch)round cake pans.

In a mixing bowl (I use Kitchen Aid) whisk or combine flour,sugar,cocoa,baking powder,baking soda mixed with vinegar, and salt.

Stir until well combined.

Add milk,oil,eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix together on medium speed until well combined.

Reduce speed to low and add boiling water a little bit at a time.

Once the water is all mixed in, beat on high for 1 minute.

Evenly distribute cake batter between two prepared pans.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely(out of the pan).

 

While the cake is baking, prepare frosting-

 

In a large saucepan whisk evaporated milk and cornstarch.

Add in sugar,egg yolks,butter ,and vanilla.

Cook over low heat stirring constantly  until thick.

Remove from him and stir in pecans and coconut.

Let cool.

Chocolate cream:

Beat together cream cheese,powdered sugar, and vanilla.

Gradually add heavy whipping cream starting on medium speed and going up as the cream thickens.

 

Soaking ~ (Optional)-

1 cup water

1 tablespoon brandy, cognac or kahlua liqueur .

 

Assembling cake:

Spray or pour with spoon water and liqueur over the first chocolate cake.

Spread with some cooled frosting.

Place the other cake layer on top. Moisten it, and cover the whole cake with chocolate cream starting with sides.

Spread the rest of the frosting on top of the cake. Decorate as desired.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes or more.

This divine and super delicious recipe was adapted from adashofsanity.com.

german chocolate cake-6

 

 

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:138]

german chocolate cake-3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Bagel Sandwich with Smoked Salmon


open face bagel sandwich with smoked salmon-2 This bagel sandwich with smoked salmon makes an elegant breakfast or great brunch.It’s really simple, quick, and delicious. You can serve it as open faced sandwich or with the top. And the best part is ….. no cooking required.

Ingredients:

bagels sliced

avocado sliced

smoked salmon or lox sliced

capers (optional)

Spread- 4 ozs. cream cheese

1 tablespoon plain greek yogurt

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

salt (optional)

1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped*

You can sub in chives or basil.

 

Directions- Whip or mix all spread ingredients.

Spread cream cheese spread over bagel.

Top with sliced avocados,smoked  salmon slices(or lox),and capers.

 

open face bagel sandwich with smoked salmon-3

 

 

 

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:134]




Almond Chocolate Coconut Scones


almond chocolate coconut scones

 

Scones are classic teatime biscuit treats that are quick and easy to make.These almond chocolate coconut scones are full of scrumptious goodness.Slightly sweetened flaky biscuits with shaved chocolate, sliced almonds, coconut flakes and glazed with sweet coconut glaze.They are perfect with coffee or tea.

 

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter,cold.

1 cup coconut milk  (milk,almond milk or cream will work too)

1 egg

1/2 cup sliced almonds toasted

1/2 cup chopped chocolate ( or chocolate chips)

1/2 cup shredded coconut toasted

 

Glaze:

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons  coconut milk,milk,or cream

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Direction:

Preheat oven to 400F degrees.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a bowl of stand mixer,whisk together flour,sugar,baking powder,and salt.Shred cold butter and using your hands quickly work in the butter with flour mixture to create crumb mixture. You can also use a large blender to combine flour mixture with butter.

Add coconut,chocolate, and almonds to the mixture.

in a small bowl whisk coconut milk with egg.

Add milk and egg mixture to flour mixture and mix until combined.

On a slightly floured surface,divide the dough in half and pat a 6 inch circle.Cut the circle in to wedges.Transfer scones to baking sheet and set them at least 1 inch apart.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.

Prepare the glaze.Combine powdered sugar with coconut milk (reg.milk) and vanilla.

Pour or brush glaze over baked warm scones. Sprinkle with coconut flakes and sliced almonds over the top.

almond coconut and chocolate scones-3

 

 

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:128]

almond coconut and chocolate scones-6

 

 




Blueberry Lemon Sticky buns


blueberry lemon sticky buns-8

These blueberry lemon sticky buns are beyond delicious! They are super good,sticky,and fingerlicking.My kids loved them…my family members loved them…Im sure you’ll love them too. Perfect with cup of coffee in the morning.Kids liked them with milk, and great with hot cup of tea as well.

Ingredients-

yields 18-20 rolls

Dough:
1 cup warm milk (not hot)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter melted (1/2 stick)
2 large or 3 medium eggs
1 1/2 tablespoons oil

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon yeast
1 tablespoon sour cream

2 ozs cream cheese*

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 1/2 – 4 cups Canadian flour(highly recommended)  or all purpose flour**
1 egg for egg wash

1 tablespoon water

 

Filling:

2 lemon zested

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 flour

1/2 (1/4 cup) butter melted

blueberries

 

Glaze-

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 lemon juice squeezed

lemon zest from 1 lemon optional

1/4 cup butter melted

1/2 cup milk

 

* you can replace for 1/4 cup sour cream
**Most European/Russian stores and Winco Foods carry it.
Direction using bread maker:
Add sugar to milk.Stir until sugar disolves.Stir in yeast and 1/2 cup flour and set aside.

Melt butter,let it cool.

In another mixing bowl whisk with hand blender eggs,cream cheese,sour cream,oil,salt,vanilla.

Whisk in milk mixture to egg mixture.

Whisk in butter.Add rest of the flour,and transfer dough mixture to bread maker.

Set your setting on “dough”.

With stand mixer:

1.Follow steps 1-4

2.Whisk in butter.Transfer mixture to stand mixer bowl.

3.Add flour.

4.Mix dough with hook attachment.Starting on med-low speed and increasing speed gradually to highest.

5.Cover bowl with plastic wrap.Place the bowl in the warmest place in your house covered with blanket or towel.

I like to place it in the microwave(don’t turn it on!).

6.Let dough rise,about 2 +/- hours.

 

Filling-

 

In a mixing bowl, combine lemon zest and sugar. Rub sugar and lemon zest using your hands.

Whisk in flour.

Pour in butter and rub the mixture with your hands to create crumbs.

 

Making buns-

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter or grease 2 small or 1 large baking pans/dish.

Roll the dough into large thin ractangle.

Brush on a thin layer of melted butter or spread evenly using your fingers.

Sprinkle the filling mixture over buttered dough.

blueberry lemon sticky buns-2

Sprinkle blueberries over crumb mixture.Roll the dough into a log.Pinch the edges and seal the seams.

blueberry lemon sticky buns-3

Slice the roll into 1 inch slice.Arrange pieces onto buttered pans.

blueberry lemon sticky buns-4

Cover with kitchen towel and allow to rise for about 20 minutes. Take it outside during summer for quicker better rise.

Whisk egg and water together and brush on buns.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until they are deep golden brown.

Glaze- Combine all ingredients together using a whisk.

Remove buns from oven and pour the glaze over them while hot.

Serve warm or room temperature.

sticky buns

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:125]




Berry Cake Roll


berry cake rollalmonds.easy dessert, baking, berries, berry roll, cake, delightsofculinaria.com, dessert, easy recipe, food, quick dessert, recipes, rolls, roulade, russian recipes, summer cake, sweet, teatime-2

 

This is a quick and tasty berry cake roll recipe that is perfect for summer when berries are in season.Making a berry cake roll that is easy to make,refreshing,and beautiful is simply delightful.It’s tastes really light that you might be tempted to get seconds.

 

Ingredients:

6 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup all purpose flour sifted

 

Cream-

1 package (8 0zs) cream cheese

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

or

1 tablespoon orange liqueur

 

Mix or choice of berries:

sliced strawberries

raspberries

blackberries

blueberries

shredded almonds

 

Directions-

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a 10×15 jelly roll pan (large baking sheet) with parchment paper going over the sides of baking sheet.Spray with cooking spray.

In a stand/hand mixer bowl, beat eggs on medium speed while slowly adding sugar.Increase speed to high and beat until eggs are pale and fluffy.

Carefully mix in flour.

Spread the  batter evenly on prepared pan.

Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until cake is golden.

Roll the cake up loosely while hot and let cool completely.

 

Cream:

Beat cream cheese until smooth.Add in powdered sugar and continue to beat until sugar is well combined.Add vanilla or liqueur.

On medium speed gradually pour in heavy whipping cream while slowly increasing the speed as it begins to thicken. Continue to beat on high until cream is fluffy.

 

Assembling:

Carefully remove parchment paper while unrolling the roll.

Spread cream over the roll and scatter your choice of berries over the cream.

Roll the cake and cover with cream.

Top with shredded almonds and decorate with berries and mint.Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

 

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:123]

 




Tiramisu Meringue Cake


Tiramisu Meringue cake-2

Tiramisu meringue cake is an amazing and super delicious cake with combination of meringue and tiramisu cake.Soft coffee soaked sponge cake has a thick middle layer of nutty marbled chocolate meringue and covered in heavenly divine cream.

This recipe was shared with me by an awesome baker Marina from my church.Her Food always looks SUPER and DELICIOUS! Thank you so much Marina.

Please take note… This cake does require some time to make,I like to split the process in two days. Day 1:Make meringue and custard(store in fridge  covered),Day 2: Bake cake,make frosting and assemble.

 Ingredients:

Meringue-

6 egg whites

pinch of salt

pinch of cream of tartar

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2- 1 cup hazelnuts(not toasted)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

3 ozs. chocolate chips

 

Cream-

6 egg yolks

1/2 cup sugar + 1/2 cup sugar

16 ozs. cream cheese (2 packages 8oz each)

2 cups heavy whipping cream

 

Cake batter-

8 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup sifted flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

 

Syrup-

1 cup coffee

1 tablespoon kahlua liquor

1 tablespoon sugar

Other ingredients-

shredded chocolate

toasted hazelnuts

 

Directions-

Meringue:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Whip egg whites with pinch of salt and pinch of cream of tartar.

Add in sugar slowly while beating.Egg whites need to come to stiff peeks.

Mix nuts with cornstarch and gently fold in to meringue.

Melt chocolate chips and gradually fold in to meringue making a marble effect.Just few turns,don’t over mix.

Reduce oven temperature 250 degrees just before placing the pan in the oven.

Bake for 4 hours. Open door to cool completely  before taking it out,so meringue doesn’t crack.

Custard-

Prepare water bath.Whip egg yolks with 1/2 cup sugar until frothy and place it on water bath.

Heat for 10 minutes stirring continually until sugar dissolves.

Take off heat and mix in Kahlua liquor,let cool completely.

Cake-

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare and line a 10 inch spring foam cake pan.

Beat eggs and sugar together until pale and thick.(15-20min)

Add vanilla.

Add sifted flour and gently mix it in.

Bake for 25-30 minutes. Test with toothpick.It needs to come out clean.

Combine syrup ingredients.

Cream-

Whip cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until smooth.

Gradually add in custard.

In a separate bowl, whip heavy whipping cream until stiff.

Fold in half of whipped cream with cream cheese mixture and leave the rest to decorate the cake.

 Assembling-

Slice the cake in half.

Soak cake with coffee syrup using a brush.

Spread cream on the soaked side and add shredded chocolate over it.

Place meringue on top of shredded chocolate and spread more cream over meringue.Add shredded chocolate over cream.

Soak second layer of cake and flip soaked side down.

Cream cake all over. Decorate with toasted hazelnuts and shredded chocolate.
Refrigerate overnight.

 

Note: If decorating the sides of cake as shown you will need more heavy whipping cream.

 

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:114]




Markiza Cake


Markiza cake

This is a delightful cake that is fairly sweet and with a little fruity flavor.Markiza cake is multi layered shortbread cake with meringue,nuts,and jam.In most original Russian recipes it is made with rich and sweet dulce de leche frosting.It’s too sweet for my family. I make it with my favorite frosting that goes perfect for this cake.One advice…Plan to spend good amount of time in the kitchen.It’s not a quick cake,but worth all your time and effort.Enjoy with coffee or tea.

Ingredients:

6 eggs (egg yolks and whites separated)

2 1/2 cup sugar

3-4 cups flour

2 sticks butter room temp.

1/3 cup sour cream

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Chopped walnuts or hazelnuts

Your choice of jam (I like apricot)

Cream:

2 sticks butter at room temp.

1 (8ozs) cream cheese

8 ozs. heavy whipping cream (or cool whip)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 3/4 can condensed milk

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Directions:

In a mixing bowl using hand or stand mixer combine butter with 1 cup of sugar.

Add egg yolks and sour cream.Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.

In another bowl combine flour and baking powder.

Gradually add flour* to the batter.

Form 6-8 balls,cover with plastic wrapper and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

* start with 3 cups,gradually  adding more if needed.

Meringue:

Whip egg whites until frothy.

Add 1 1/2 cup sugar.

Continue to whip until stiff peeks.

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Roll out one ball at a time on slightly floured parchment paper.

Cut edges of cake layer using a 8 or 9 inch cake pan.

Spread about 1 -1 1/2 tablespoons of jam** on the layer.

Spread about 2 +/- tablespoons of meringue.

Sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon of nuts on top of meringue.

** Spread jam on every other layer.

Markiza cake

 

 

Bake for 6-8 minutes depending on your oven then reduce temp. to 200 degrees and continue baking for another 10 minutes.

Repeat steps with the rest of the dough.

Cream:

Whip butter with cream cheese and vanilla.

Gradually add condensed milk.

Gradually on med-low speed pour in heavy whipping cream*,increasing speed as cream thickens a little.

Continue to whip until cream thickens.

*if not using heavy cream,add cool whip.

Assembling:

Slightly heat jam using stove or microwave.Stir and let it cool.

Carefully spread a good amount of cream on the first layer with jam.

Place second layer(no jam)meringue side facing down on top of the first one.

Repeat steps with the rest of the layers in this order:

with jam-cream-no jam-cream-with jam-cream-no jam…so forth.

Apply cream to the sides and top of the cake.

Gently spread cooled jam on top of the cake.

Decorate sides of the cake as desired.I used white chocolate shavings and whipped cream with powdered sugar for top edges.

Markiza cake

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:105]




Poppy seed Walnut Cake with Dulce de Leche


If you’re a poppy seed lover like me,then this cake is for you.The cake is very scrumptious and consists of lots and lots of poppy seeds and walnuts.Dulce de leche frosting enhances the cake and makes it divine.I tried making this cake using different flours,and my best pick  considering the taste and health wise is spelt and almond flour( or spelt by itself).You can use regular white flour or whole wheat pastry flour also.

To make the process quicker,I like to bake meringue layer a day before Im baking the cake.

Ingredients:

6 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoon baking soda + 1 tablespoon vinegar combined

1 3/4 cups poppy seeds

1 cup walnuts

1 cup pastry whole wheat flour*

* you can substitute for all-purpose white flour or spelt flour

 

1  can dulce de leche

12 ozs. cream cheese (1 1/2 package cream cheese)

1 stick butter room temperature.

1 cup heavy whipping cream or 8 ozs cool whip ( I prefer heavy cream )

1 teaspoon vanilla

Syrup:

1/2 cup boiling water

2 tablespoons sugar

(mix together,let it cool)

Meringue:

3 egg whites

1 cup sugar

a pinch cream of tartar

Frosting:

 

Direction:

Meringue-

Prepare a lined 10 inch springform pan.

Heat oven to 200 degrees.

Beat egg whites with sugar and cream of tartar on high speed until the peeks are stiff and glossy.

Transfer to the cake pan. Spread meringue evenly. Bake for 3 1/2 -4 hours. leave it to cool and continue drying overnight in the oven ( best results)

 

Pre heat oven to 325 degrees.

In a mini blender,pulse and chop walnuts together with poppy seeds.

Beat eggs with sugar until fluffy and pale in color.

Sift flour and combine poppy seeds and baking soda with vinegar.

Gently mix in flour poppyseed walnut mix.

Line the bottom of the 10 inch pan with parchment paper.

Grease or spray the sides and bottom of the pan.

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out dry and clean.Let cool.

Dulce de Leche frosting:

Beat cream cheese with butter.

Add dulce de leche and beat until well combined.

Gradually Pour in heavy whipping and vanilla, beat until cream thickens.**

**Or replace with cool whip

Assembling:

Slice the cake in half.

Moist (a little) the cake layer with syrup using spoon or spray.

Spread dulce de leche frosting.

Place the meringue layer on top. Add more cream and spread.

Moist ( a little) and place third layer on top of the meringue layer.

Spread frosting on sides and top of the cake.

Decorate as desired.

poppy seed walnut cake with dulce de leche frosting

 

DSC_4279

You can use this flour,regular white flour ,or spelt and almond flour.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:41]