Cucuzzacake Recipes

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter three 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment. Butter the parchment and dust the pans with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla.
• Reduce the speed to medium and add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the cream, beginning and ending with the flour; beat until just smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Divide the batter between 2 of the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes are light golden on top and the centers spring back when pressed, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool for 10 minutes. (Leave the oven on for the cookie dough.) Invert the cakes out onto the racks (remove the parchment) to cool completely, about 1 hour. Trim the tops of the cakes with a long serrated knife to make level, if needed.
• For the cookie dough: Meanwhile, microwave the flour in a small microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute (see Cook's Note). Remove and stir well. Microwave for an additional minute or until the temperature registers 180 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Sift into a medium bowl, then whisk in the baking soda and salt.
• Beat the brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, yogurt and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until well incorporated, about 1 minute. (Turn off the beaters and use your hands to help combine if needed). Fold in the chocolate chips with a rubber spatula or mix them in with your hands. (You should have about 4 cups of cookie dough.)
• Remove 1/4 cup cookie dough and roll into 6 heaping teaspoon sized balls and place them 1-inch apart on a baking sheet. Bake until the cookies are set and browned around the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a rack to cool completely, about 25 minutes. Cut the cookies in half.
• Make the ganache: Place the chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring the heavy cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
• Assemble the cake: Place a cake layer on a cake stand or platter. Press half of the remaining cookie dough evenly on top of the cake (it should be about a 1/2-inch-thick layer). Top with the other cake round and then press the remaining cookie dough evenly on top of the cake. Drizzle some of the ganache around the edge of the cake letting it drip down the sides. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the ganache over the top of the cake. Spread the remaining ganache around the bottom of the cake to make a 1-inch border. Press the mini chocolate chips into the ganache. Decorate the top of the cake with the cookie halves. Chill until the ganache has set, about 20 minutes.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the couscous, cilantro, egg, egg yolk, coriander, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture. Mix until combined.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Form 1/4 cupfuls of the mixture into 8 patties. Add 4 of the patties to the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes each side until golden. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining couscous mixture.
• Serve the couscous cakes with mango chutney.

Steps:

• Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour the batter into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pan. , Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Place each cake on a 10-in. serving platter. Combine the frosting and food coloring; spread over the top of each cake to within 1/2 in. of edges. Sprinkle with grated chocolate for cheese. , Unroll Fruit Roll-Ups; use a 1-1/2 in. round cutter to cut into circles for pepperoni. Arrange on cakes.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Sift flour, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder together and set aside.
• Beat eggs with sugar, oil and vanilla.
• Add flour mixture to egg mixture, mix well.
• Add grated cucuza (skin, seed and all), orange zest, pineapple and pecans.
• Mix well.
• Divide batter into 2 greased loaf pans.
• Pan should be about 1/2 full.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until cakes test done.
• Let cool for about 10 minutes.
• Mix all icing ingredients together, using enough milk to get a smooth, spreadable icing.
• Remove cakes from pans and glaze tops of cakes while warm.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, oil and sugar, creaming until smooth.
• Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition.
• Add vanilla and beat well.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternately with buttermilk.
• Stir in shredded cucuzza.
• Pour batter into a greased 13X9-inch baking pan.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes until done. You can test to see if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick near the center of the cake and see if it comes out clean. If it does, it's done.
• Allow cake to cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine all frosting ingredients.
• Spread over warm cake.
• Broil in oven approximately 4-6 inches from the heat for about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn, it will broil fast!
• Cool cake completely before serving.
• ~NOTE~ You don't have to peel or seed the cucuzza, just wash the outside skin with warm water and pat dry before shredding.

Steps:

• Brown the ground beef in a skillet, drain and set aside.
• In a large dutch oven, add the olive oil and sauté the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic for about 4-5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
• Add the ground beef to the pot along with the can of whole tomatoes, add the cucuzza, and the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer, uncovered for around 45 minutes or until the squash is cooked.

Steps:

• Combine the raisins, currants, apricots, figs, prunes, dates, walnuts, pecans, orange zest, lemon zest, candied ginger, pumpkin pie spice and cloves in a large bowl and toss to combine. Add 1 cup of the brandy, orange liqueur and molasses and stir to coat. Cover and set aside to macerate overnight. (Alternatively, cover the bowl and microwave 2 minutes, or until very hot. Leave covered and let sit until almost all the liquid has been absorbed into the fruit and nuts, about 2 hours.)
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Spray two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray and line each with 2 pieces of parchment, one lengthwise and one crosswise, leaving a 2-inch overhang on each side. Spray the parchment with cooking spray.
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup flour over the soaked fruit mixture and toss to coat. Whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
• Cream the butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to medium-low and beat in the flour mixture until the batter is blended and smooth. Pour the batter over the fruit mixture and fold with a rubber spatula until all the fruit is coated in batter.
• Divide the mixture evenly between the two prepared pans, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake until the cakes begin to pull away from the sides of the pans, the tops spring back slightly when pressed and a cake tester comes out clean, about 1 1/2 hours. Transfer to a wire rack and brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons brandy. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 15 minutes. Carefully remove each cake from its pan using the parchment overhang and place on the rack to cool completely.
• To store, wrap each loaf tightly in plastic and then foil. The wrapped fruitcakes can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square metal baking pan with a 12-by-8-inch piece of parchment paper, leaving an overhang on 2 sides.
• Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, about 1 minute. Brush the parchment paper with some of the melted butter, then flip it over and press it back in the pan. Brush the other side of the paper and the sides of the pan with butter.
• Whisk the egg yolks and sugar vigorously in a large bowl until pale, creamy and thick, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the remaining melted butter and whisk until incorporated. Add the flour, cinnamon and salt, mixing until completely combined.
• Heat the milk in a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup in the microwave until warm, about 1 minute. Whisk the espresso powder and vanilla extract into the milk until completely dissolved. Slowly add the milk mixture to the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly until well combined (the batter will be thin).
• Beat the egg whites and the cream of tartar in a clean bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed in until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Scrape the whites into the yolk mixture, gently breaking them up a little with a whisk. Using a whisk, gently stir and fold the mixture a few times to coat the whites with liquid while keeping as much volume as possible (the batter will not be homogeneous). Pour the batter into the prepared and gently smooth the top with a rubber spatula.
• Bake until the top is browned and puffed and the cake is mostly set with a slight jiggle in the center, about 1 hour. Let the cake cool completely in the pan, about 2 hours.
• To serve, dust the cake with some confectioners' sugar and a little cinnamon. Run a small offset spatula or thin knife around the edges of the pan to loosen. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the cake from the pan and place it on a cutting board. Cut the cake into 9 squares and serve topped with whipped cream.

Steps:

• Place cubed cucuzza in a saucepan with water.
• If needed, add enough water to cover cucuzza.
• Simmer over medium heat until cucuzza is tender, about 15 minutes.
• Drain off water and allow cucuzza to cool.
• In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
• Add spices, pudding mix, and milk.
• Beat until smooth.
• Add cucuzza to the cream cheese mixture and stir.
• Pour into pie shell.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
• If desired, top with whipped cream or Cool Whip topping.
• ~NOTE~This pie isn't very colorful.
• If you like you can add a little food coloring in step#5.