The MOST GORGEOUS cake I've ever made

What I had planned to be a 3 day project, I completed in 3 hours, on the day before 3 exams. Seems like 3's a lucky number, except that I didn't really do so well for the 3rd exam the next day. Oh well. But I have no regrets. This cake was more than enough to compensate for the few marks I lost.

I can tell you, this cake isn't a quick and simple cake. It's not for those of you who are trying to satisfy your sweet tooth quickly. I have other recipes for that. This cake is for those of you who want that sense of achievement. The kind of sense that only comes with complicated recipes that require time and devotion. You want to put your heart and soul into it.

Every single layer, the frosting and the ganache. Most importantly, the decorating of the cake. You want it to be absolutely perfect, and not accidentally squash the beautiful rosettes on top like I did.

This is going to take time, but it's oh so worth it.

The base is a fudgy and rich chocolate cake. Followed by the light caramel cake that's bursting with caramel flavour but not overpoweringly so. Then you have a simple, light white cake. It's plain but really so good. It's a perfect canvas to paint on.

Now slather on the buttercream, because you want a light, refreshing frosting on your cake. Then pour over the ganache and let it flow...

Gorgeous, isn't it?

Now, take a bite of it. It's the perfect combination of flavours. You know how ketchup and fries are just meant to be together? Well, so are chocolate and caramel. Yes yes, I know, look back into the other posts I've had and the conclusion is that chocolate is a very polygamous food. But fear not, polygamy in this case is the best talent given to chocolate.

Chocolate Caramel & White Cake with Caramel Buttercream and Chocolate Ganache
White Cake
Ingredients:
1/3 cup milk
2 egg whites
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract, optional

94g cake flour
57g sugar
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

113g butter, at room temperature

Method:
1. Whisk together milk, egg whites and extracts.

2. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

3. Beat in the butter into the flour mixture.

4. Then beat in the milk and egg white mixture in 2 additions.

5. Pour into a 6 inch cake tin that has been well buttered and floured and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a skewer poked in the centre comes out clean.

Caramel Sauce
Ingredients:
75g sugar
3/4 cups water
3/4 cups water

Method:
1. Combine sugar and 3/4 cup of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.

2. Stop stirring and continue to cook until a deep golden, stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in 3/4 cup of water, remove from heat and allow to cool completely.

Caramel Cake
Ingredients:
125g sugar
70g butter, at room temperature

4 tbsp of caramel syrup
1 egg

140g cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

Method:
1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

2. Beat in the caramel syrup and egg till smooth.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt.

4. Alternate beating the flour mixture and milk into the batter.

5. Pour into a 6 inch cake tin that has been well buttered and floured and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a skewer poked in the centre comes out clean.

Chocolate Cake
Ingredients:
30g cocoa powder
1/4 cup boiling water
1/4 cup milk


95g cake flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt


85g butter, at room temperature
50g sugar

1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:
1. Whisk together cocoa powder and boiling water till smooth. Then whisk in the milk. Set aside to cool.

2. Sift together cake flour, baking powder and salt.

3. Cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract till smooth.

4. Whisk in the cocoa mixture, then fold in the flour till just combined.

5. Butter a 6 inch cake tin and coat with cocoa powder. Pour batter into the tin and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a skewer poked in the centre comes out clean.

Caramel Buttercream
Ingredients:
2 egg whites
2/3 cup sugar

226g butter, at room temperature, cut into cubes

6 tbsp caramel syrup

Method:
1. In a double boiler, whisk egg whites and sugar over simmering water till they reach 60 degrees Celsius.

2. Transfer to a stand mixer (or another bowl and use a electric whisk) and beat on medium high speed for 5 to 10 minutes, until the egg whites are glossy and have doubled in size.

3. Lower the speed down to medium and beat in butter, about 1 tablespoon at a time. Add the next cube only when the first has been incorporated.

4. Once all the butter has been beaten in, drizzle the caramel syrup in slowly while beating. Then increase the speed to high and beat until you have a smooth buttercream.

Chocolate Ganache
Ingredients:
1/2 cup cream

120g dark chocolate, chopped
4g butter

Method:
1. Bring cream to a simmer.

2. Pour over chocolate and butter and stir until you have a glossy and thick chocolate sauce. Set aside to cool.

Assembly
1. Place chocolate cake as the base.

2. Spread caramel buttercream onto it and place the caramel cake over.

3. Spread caramel buttercream onto it and place the white cake over.

4. Frost the entire cake with caramel buttercream, but do not use all if you want to pipe more decorations over the ganache later.

5. Pour chocolate ganache over the top of the cake and allow it to drip down the sides. If you have ganache that's too thick to pour, heat it up for a while. If it's pourable but not dripping, nudge it a bit with a spatula.

6. Chill the cake for about 15 minutes, till decorate with more frosting. And you're done! Chill for a while more then, enjoy =D