Elvis Birthday Cake

This week I had the opportunity to do a small birthday cake for a close friend’s niece. The theme of the party was Elvis Presley (hence the design on the cake). While doing this cake I decided to do some experimenting with different types of frostings. I’ve made them all mixed, boiled, and I have such a hard time finding that perfect frosting that “crusts” over nicely, but doesn’t taste like you’re eating shortening out of the can! I came to this recipe by combining about 3 recipes. The combination of the butter and cream cheese create a perfect crust but the taste is still there. I hope you all find this frosting as yummy as the party goers did. Happy Baking! 

Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 8oz bar cream cheese softened
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 lbs shifted powder sugar
- ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

To make the frosting:

Cream butter, and cream cheese together. Cream until smooth. Mix in vanilla, and salt. Lastly add powdered sugar slowly to the creamed mixture. Mix until everything is all incorporated. YUM!

Frosting recipe yields approximately 4 cups of frosting. 

To make the cake: 

1.  Select a good quality cake mix (a nice quick cake).  I’m partial to Duncan Hines when I’m in a pinch because it is dense, and moist.  Very easy to decorate on. 

2. Mix the cake mix per the box instructions, and divide into 2 8″ round cake pans. 

3.  Bake cakes at 350 degrees for 28-30 minutes. 

4.  Allow cakes to cool slightly, take the cakes out of the pans, and cool on a cooling rack. 

5.  Add your favorite filling to your cake, and frosting completely.  Allow the cake to “crust” over slightly.  To speed up the process, put the cake in your refridgerator for about an hour.  

6.  You can use any design you’d like on your cake, but to make the Elvis design, you can do the following.  Find your favorite Elvis photo online, and print a 6″x4″ copy.  Cut the outline of the picture.  Carefully place your template onto your cake, trace the outline with a toothpick, and take the template off.  Using colored icing or icing gel, fill in the design completely.

Nuts play an important role in the creation of delicious sweet treats – from the walnuts that add extra ‘ummph’ to chocolate chip cookies to brownies with hidden pecans. From Macadamia Nut Cookies to Almond Paste Cake, there are thousands of dessert recipes that incorporate nuts. When you’re looking for ideas on how to make your own nutty desserts, consider the following suggestions:

Pecans

Many of us already know that the sweet gooeyness of pecan pie is a staple dessert during the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sometimes pecans are overlooked for their versatility in dessert making. However, the nut has found its way into a multitude of creative dessert recipes, especially in Southern baking. A couple of recipes include homemade caramel pecan ice cream, praline cheesecake, coconut pecan frosting, and pecan shortbread cookies. When looking to spice up a regular pecan pie recipe, try experimenting with chocolate and bourbon whiskey.

Walnuts

Walnuts can elevate the taste of cookies and brownies, but they also create delicious dessert combinations when paired with fruit. For example, you will find plenty of recipes that incorporate baked apples and walnuts. Some approaches may include dried fruits (like cranberries), while others may insert unsweetened shredded coconut. Nutmeg and cinnamon are popular spices added to the mix. When hot, serve baked apples with vanilla ice cream. In the morning, a cold baked apple makes a tasty breakfast when topped with vanilla yogurt.

Almonds

When creating desserts with almonds, you will find almond paste a delightful ingredient. For quicker results, you can purchase your paste from a store, while the more ambitious baker may prefer to create their own at home. Ground almonds and sugar are the two most significant ingredients in almond paste. A typical recipe may contain salt, almond extract, confectioner’s sugar, cooking oil, heavy cream, blanched almonds, and egg whites.

When baking, use almond paste to fill pastries (such as almond croissants) or add to homemade chocolate recipes. Some people also use the paste as a substitute for marzipan. In China, almond paste is used to create ‘sweetheart cakes,’ which also contain winter melon.

Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts make a flavorful filling for wafer cookies and enhance the taste of many dessert coffee recipes. To explore an uncommon hazelnut dessert, consider making a pudding out of the nuts. Start by mincing ½ pound of hazelnuts until they are the consistency of a powder. Heat 1 cup of cream until it reaches the point just before boiling. Add a bit of vanilla extract to flavor. Allow the cream to cool. Beat 8 ounces of unsalted butter until the mixture become pale and creamy. Stir in the hazelnuts, 8 ounces of powdered sugar, and 1 cup of cream. Line a mold with ladyfingers and add the hazelnut pudding. Chill well.

Makes: 30 triangles
Prep Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
1 pkg. (6.5 oz.) Alouette Berries & Cream Spreadable Cheese
18 sheets phyllo dough, defrosted
12 oz. unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tsp. confectioner’s sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 400° F.

Lay out 3 sheets of phyllo dough. Brush 1 sheet with ½ tbsp. melted butter. Place second sheet on top. Brush top of second sheet with ½ tbsp. melted butter. Repeat with third sheet.

Cut stacked dough into 5 equal strips (approx. 2.25 inches wide).

Place ½ tbsp. Alouette Berries & Cream in center of each strip at the end closest to you. Begin folding in a triangle (in the style we fold our flag). Fold triangle over until the end of the strip. Place triangle on sheet tray end side down. Brush with melted butter.

Repeat preceding steps with remaining sheets of phyllo dough.

Place the 30 bundles on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 13 minutes.

Meanwhile, place chocolate in a small bowl and microwave on HIGH, stirring occasionally, until melted, about 2 minutes.

Transfer bundles to waxed paper and drizzle with melted chocolate.

Let rest for 5 minutes.

Dust with confectioner’s sugar and serve warm.

About: this recipe is courtesy of Alouette Cheese. For more great Alouette recipes visit www.alouettecheese.com or follow them on Twitter @alouettecheese.