Boston Cream Sponge Cakes Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease two 8 by 3-inch or 20 by 8cm round cake pans, then line them with greased parchment paper.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter on high speed until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute.
• Turn the mixer speed to medium-low, add the superfine sugar and vanilla to the butter, and mix until incorporated. Then turn the speed to medium-high and beat until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape the bowl often.
• Turn the speed to low and add the eggs, one at a time, beating just until combined. Scrape the bowl after each addition.
• Add one-third of the flour to the butter mixture and mix on low speed, just until incorporated. Repeat with another one-third flour until just incorporated. Add the final one-third flour. It will be a thick batter.
• Divide the batter among the prepared pans and smooth the tops using a small offset spatula. Gently tap the pans on the counter several times to release excess air bubbles.
• Bake until the cakes are golden and a tester comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 20 minutes, then remove from the pans and let cool completely on a wire rack.
• In a medium bowl, toss together the quartered strawberries, granulated sugar, lime zest, and pink pepper (if using). Allow to macerate until the sugar dissolves, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the parchment paper and place one cake layer on a serving plate.
• Spread the jam over the top of the cake, then cover the jam with a 1-inch or 2.5cm layer of the whipped cream. Distribute half the macerated strawberries over the whipped cream.
• Place the second cake on the whipped cream and dust the top generously with confectioners' sugar and decorate with whole and halved strawberries.
• This cake is best served right away, with the remaining macerated strawberries and whipped cream, but any leftovers can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice and use a fork to break up the raspberries just enough to produce a bit of juice. Set over medium-low heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring often.
• The jam is ready when it clings to a spoon and you can draw a line through the jam that doesn't immediately fill in. Remove from the heat and let cool thoroughly.
• Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla and beat on medium speed (you read that right) until just thick-it will start to leave marks from the whisk in the cream.
• Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using the whisk attachment, continue whipping by hand for several seconds until the cream reaches the desired consistency; this way, you can ensure the mixer won't take it too far. Whipped cream is best used right away.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottoms of two 9-inch cake pans with greased parchment, but leave the sides of the pans untouched. The cakes need to cling to the ungreased pans to rise properly.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt and then sift back into the bowl. Set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the eggs and egg yolks on high speed. Once the eggs are well combined and starting to foam, about 1 minute, turn the speed to medium-low and sprinkle 3⁄4 cup (150g) of the sugar slowly over top. Turn the speed to high and let it whip for about 5 minutes.
• While the eggs are whipping, in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the milk, oil, and remaining 3⁄4 cup (150g sugar) to a boil. Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Once the eggs are light in color and thick, they should be able to form a ribbon of batter that sits on top of the egg foam for a few seconds when you lift the whisk out of the foam. Turn the mixer speed to low, slowly add the boiling milk mixture, and then add the flour mixture, a few tablespoons at a time, scraping down the bowl several times.
• Immediately pour the batter into the prepared pans and gently run a spatula through the batter to pop any large air bubbles.
• Bake until a tester comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Let the cake cool completely in the pans. Run a knife around the edge before turning out onto serving plates.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, 1⁄4 cup (50g) of the sugar, butter, salt, and vanilla; bring to a gentle boil; and then remove from the heat.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 1⁄4 cup (50g) sugar. Add the egg and egg yolks and whisk into a smooth paste.
• Whisk enough of the hot milk, a little at a time, into the egg mixture until it is warm to the touch. Once the eggs are tempered, pour the mixture back into the remaining milk in the pan.
• Return the saucepan to medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil; continuously whisk for 3 minutes more or the pastry cream will separate once it cools.
• If there are any lumps in the pastry cream, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a shallow container and cover with plastic wrap, pressed directly onto the surface, to prevent a skin from forming.
• In a large bowl, add enough ice cubes and cold water to create a bath for the container to sit in without the water breaching the sides.
• Set the container in the ice bath or place in the freezer until chilled, about 15 minutes before using. Or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• In a medium saucepan over low heat, warm the cream until just simmering. Turn off the heat and add the chocolate. Swirl the pan to make sure all of the chocolate is submerged in the hot cream. Let sit for 3 minutes and then gently stir until smooth.
• Transfer the ganache to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Gently warm the ganache over a pan of simmering water, forming a double boiler, to a pourable or spreadable consistency, depending on your needs.
• Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
• Stir the pastry cream to loosen, then mix in one-third of the whipped cream to lighten. Fold in the remaining whipped cream.
• Using an offset spatula, spread all of the pastry cream over the cake; making sure not to go quite to the edge. Place the next cake layer over the pastry cream. Gently press down on the cake to make sure it is sitting snugly on the pastry cream. If the pastry cream goes beyond the edge, clean it up with a metal decorating spatula. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour to set the pastry cream in place.
• Pour the ganache over the top of the cake, starting in the center and stopping just as it drips over the edge.
• Refrigerate the cake until the ganache sets, about 30 minutes, then serve right away.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together cream and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. , Cut cake into three horizontal layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; top with half of the pudding. Repeat layers. Top with third cake layer. , In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, cocoa and enough water to reach desired spreading consistency. Spread over top of cake, letting glaze drizzle down sides.