Dark Chocolate Macaron Cake Recipes

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a straight-sided baking sheet with parchment.
• In a food processor, combine the almond meal, powdered sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Process for 30 seconds to make a very fine mixture. Set aside.
• Using a hand-held mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium speed until beginning to stiffen, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add the cream of tartar, and continue beating, slowly adding in the sugar. Beat on medium speed until glossy and stiff peaks form, an additional 1 1/2 minutes--be careful not overwhip. In 3 additions, fold the dry ingredients into the egg white mixture, just until combined and no streaks remain.
• Divide the batter evenly into 2 rounds on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until dry on top and slightly puffed, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely on the baking sheet.
• For the ganache: Meanwhile, heat the heavy cream, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles form around the edges. Place the chopped chocolate in a medium bowl and pour the cream over the chocolate. Let sit for 3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the chocolate and refrigerate until firm but spreadable, about 1 hour.
• Spread the ganache on the flat side of each cake layer. Line raspberries in circles on top of the ganache. Top with the remaining cake. Wrap with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for about 2 hours. Slice and serve with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the almond paste and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until the almond paste is softened and the sugar well incorporated, about 5 minutes. Add the cocoa powder and blend just until combined.
• Add the egg whites a little bit at a time, incorporating fully after each addition. Egg whites are difficult to pour in small amounts, so hold a rubber spatula against the rim of the bowl and use it to "cut" the egg whites as they are poured. If you add the egg whites all at once, the mixture will be lumpy because the difference in consistency between the egg whites and the almond paste mixture is too great. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. You may or may not need all of the egg whites depending on the moistness and age of your almond paste. Stop mixing when the mixture reaches a consistency soft enough to pipe (like toothpaste).
• Place the batter in a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip. Pipe 1-inch mounds onto a parchment paper-covered baking sheet. It will be easier if you hold the pastry bag at a slight angle and allow the tip to touch the parchment as you start to pipe. Once you have formed the mound, stop squeezing and lift the tip straight up, leaving a small tail on the top of each mound. Space the macarons about 1-inch apart to allow for spreading. Pipe carefully: Your macarons will look nicest when they are sandwiched together if they are all the same size.
• Immediately before placing them in the oven, liberally sprinkle granulated sugar over the macarons. This will give them a nice crust that will keep the inside moist and chewy. Bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. The top of each macaron should be very finely cracked, a characteristic for which they are known. If overbaked, the macarons will be dry and crunchy.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately pour 1/4 cup of water onto the baking sheet under the parchment paper. Be careful: If you get any water on the macarons, they will be soggy. You will need to tilt the baking sheet to spread the water evenly. Let it sit for 2 minutes. The water will loosen the macarons from the paper. Remove the macarons from the paper 2 at a time and stick them together, matching the flat sides. Do not put them back on the hot, wet baking sheet or they will become soggy.
• The macarons can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or well wrapped in the freezer for up to 1 week. Unwrap them before bringing back to room temperature, or the condensation will make them soggy.

Steps:

• For the macaron cake layers: Fit a large pastry bag with a large open pastry tip. Line 3 sheet pans with parchment. Using a 9-inch cake pan and a Sharpie, trace around the cake pan to create a 9-inch circle on each piece of parchment. Using a 6-inch cake pan and a Sharpie, trace around the cake pan to create a 6-inch circle next to the 9-inch circle on each piece of parchment; flip the parchment pieces over so the ink is facing down but you can still see the outline of the circles. Set aside.
• Sift together the almond flour and confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the food coloring and 2 tablespoons of the egg whites but do not stir. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the salt and remaining egg whites and give it a quick stir. Set aside.
• In a saucepan, add the lemon juice and 1/3 cup water, then the granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring gently and brushing down any sugar granules that are clinging to the side of the pan with a damp pastry brush, until the sugar has completely melted. Continue to heat, without stirring or agitating the mixture, until the syrup reaches 235 degrees F. Then, start the mixer with the egg whites on high. Continue to heat the syrup, without stirring, until it reaches a final temperature of 245 degrees F. At this point, make sure the egg whites are nice and foamy, then carefully pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl, being careful not to pour it on the moving whisk (DANGER!). Whisk on high until the whites are bright white and shiny but not yet holding a stiff peak.
• Add the meringue to the bowl with the confectioners' sugar and almond flour and fold together until the batter is smooth, the consistency of ketchup and shiny.
• Transfer the meringue batter to the prepared pastry bag. On one of the 9-inch circles, pipe the batter in a spiral just large enough to fill the circle by starting in the very center and piping tight circles to the edge of the outline. Pipe the batter in the 6-inch circle in the same manner. Repeat with the remaining circles on each sheet pan. If you have additional batter, pipe quarter-size dollops or hearts on the empty spaces on the sheet pans. Gently tap the sheet pans on a work surface a few times to release any air bubbles and allow to sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes to form a "skin."
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• Bake the macaron shells, opening the oven door during baking very quickly once or twice if it's very humid to allow moisture to escape, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow the shells to cool completely before filling.
• For the German buttercream: Combine the egg yolks, granulated sugar, cornstarch and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk until smooth.
• In a large saucepan, bring the heavy cream and milk to a simmer.
• With the mixer running on medium speed, slowly add the hot cream/milk mixture to the bowl by pouring it down the side and into the egg yolk mixture, mixing to completely combine. Transfer the mixture back into the saucepan and heat, whisking CONSTANTLY over medium-low heat, until the mixture thickens to the consistency of mayonnaise and starts to bubble, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the hot pastry cream to the CLEAN bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a CLEAN whisk attachment and mix until the mixture has cooled to room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, whisking between each addition. Continue adding and whisking until the mixture thickens and has transformed into a spreadable filling. You may not need the entire pound of butter.
• Remove a third of the filling to a small bowl and stir in the lemon extract. In the remaining buttercream in the mixing bowl, add the blackberry jam and mix until smooth and combined. Transfer the fillings to separate large pastry bags fitted with large open star tips.
• On the flat side of one of the large macaron rounds, arrange blackberries around the perimeter, leaving about 1/2 inch of space between each. Evenly space more blackberries in the center. Pipe the blackberry buttercream around the blackberries. Top with a second large macaron round and repeat with the remaining blackberries and buttercream. Top with the third large macaron round. Repeat with the smaller macaron rounds, using the raspberries and lemon buttercream.
• Stack the smaller round on top of the larger one, or use a tiered cake stand to separate the two layers.

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter three 9-inch cake pans and dust with cocoa powder, shaking off the excess.
• Mix the chocolate into the hot coffee in a medium bowl and stir to melt. Set aside to cool completely.
• In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside.
• Combine the sugar, oil, salt and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed, 3 to 5 minutes. (This batter is fluid and tends to get lumps; mix carefully with the paddle, or even use the whisk attachment on low speed to avoid lumps.) With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape the bowl and continue mixing on medium-low speed until fully incorporated, 2 to 3 minutes. (Don't worry about overmixing at this stage; you need to make sure the batter base is fully mixed.)
• Stir the buttermilk into the coffee mixture. In alternating batches, add the flour and buttermilk mixtures to the batter base. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The batter should be thick but fluid. Stir or mix by hand to get rid of any lumps; strain if you feel compelled.
• Divide the batter among the prepared cake pans. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely.
• For the toffee: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine the butter, sugar and salt in a heavy-bottom saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. Heat over medium-high heat to 300 degrees F (the hard crack stage), 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour over the prepared baking sheet and let cool completely. Break into small pieces, then process into a powder using a food processor or coffee grinder.
• For the buttercream: Combine 339 grams of the sugar, the water, corn syrup and salt in a heavy saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. Heat over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium, being careful not to let the flames go up the sides of the saucepan. The target temperature for the syrup is 250 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, combine the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. When the syrup has reached 230 degrees F, run the mixer on medium speed until the egg whites get frothy. Sprinkle the remaining 30 grams sugar into the egg whites and continue to whip on medium speed. (The egg whites should increases in size and form soft peaks by the time syrup reaches 250 degrees F.) Once the syrup reaches 250 degrees F, increase the mixer to high speed and carefully pour the hot syrup down the side of the bowl, being sure not to hit the whip. Whip the mixture until it has cooled to room temperature, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Replace the whisk with the paddle attachment. Gradually beat in the butter, a few cubes at a time, on medium-low speed. Mix until the buttercream comes together, then mix in the vanilla bean paste.
• Mix 3 to 4 ounces of the powdered toffee into 1 cup of the buttercream and set aside.
• For the chocolate feuilletine crunch: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Melt the dark chocolate and milk chocolate in a double boiler. Remove from the heat and mix in the feuilletine. Spread on the prepared baking sheet and let cool. Crumble into bite-size pieces. Set aside.
• To assemble the cake: Set one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with a thin, even layer (about 1/4 inch) of the buttercream, then spread with a thin, even layer (1/8 to 1/4 inch) of the toffee-buttercream mixture. Top with feuilletine crunch. Repeat with the remaining layers. Cover the cake with the remaining buttercream.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Grease and flour two 9 inch round baking pans or one 13x9 inch pan.
• In large mixer bowl, stir together dry ingredients.
• Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
• Stir in boiling water by hand (batter will be thin). NOTE: I have tried it with 1/2 cup, 2/3 cup and 3/4 cup boiling water and we prefer it with less than 1 cup water. I usually use between 2/3 & 3/4 cups. The cake is still very moist but it doesn't seem to "fall" as much as it cools. This might have to do with our high humidity or brand of flour or other factors so I don't know if it will work for everyone.
• Pour into prepared pan.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes for round 9-inch pans, 35 to 40 minutes for rectangular pan or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. (Do not use 8-inch pans or the batter will overflow.).
• Because they have a tendency to overflow if you fill them more than 2/3 full, I usually get about 27-28 cupcakes per batch. Bake for approximately 18-20 minutes.
• Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire racks.
• Please note: baking cocoa isn't hot chocolate drink mix! Baking cocoa contains no sugar and it is found on the baking aisle. Chocolate drink mixes that you add to milk or water to drink WILL NOT work in this recipe.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/ 160C fan/gas 4. Line a large baking sheet with baking paper. Sift the icing sugar and cocoa into a bowl, then stir in the ground almonds. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then fold them into the dry ingredients.
• Fill an icing bag fitted with a plain nozzle with the mixture (or put in a large food bag and snip off the corner). Pipe 24 small blobs, about 3cm across, onto the baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Smooth the surface with a wet finger, then leave for 15 mins to dry out. Bake for 15-20 mins until macaroons feel firm to the touch and peel easily off the paper. Cool on the paper, then peel off and store in a tin for up to 1 week.
• To make the filling, put chocolate into a heatproof bowl and gently melt over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir in the warm milk until smooth. Leave to cool and thicken a little, then use to sandwich the macarons together

Steps:

• Boil first 4 ingredients for 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add vanilla.
• Pour over oatmeal and coconut and mix well.
• Drop tsp fulls onto wax paper and wait until dry and easy to lift off paper.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 10-inch bundt pan.
• To Make Filling: Beat egg white with 1 teaspoon vanilla until soft mounds form. Add 1/2 cup sugar gradually, beating until stiff peaks form. Stir in coconut and 1 tablespoon flour. Set filling aside.
• Dissolve the cocoa in the hot coffee. Separate the three eggs, setting the yolks aside. Beat the egg whites until soft mounds form. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup sugar until meringue stands in medium-stiff peaks.
• Combine the sour cream and the baking soda. Beat remaining 1 1/4 cups of the sugar, shortening, egg yolks, salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 of the of the cocoa mixture until light and creamy, about 4 minutes. Stir in 2 cups flour, the sour cream mixture, and the remaining cocoa mixture; blend well.
• Fold about 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into the batter to lighten it; gently fold in remaining egg whites.
• Turn 1/2 of the chocolate batter into the prepared pan. Place 1/2 of the coconut mixture on top. Cover with the remaining chocolate batter, then the remaining coconut mixture.
• Bake in preheated oven until a tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes. Let cake cool completely before removing from pan and icing.
• To Make Icing: Combine 2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa powder; transfer to a saucepan. Add butter, corn syrup, and milk. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently, and let boil for 1 minute. Do not overcook! Remove from heat, let cool, and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat icing until it is at a soft, spreading consistency; glaze cake.

Steps:

• Filling: In small bowl, beat egg white until soft peaks form.
• Gradually add sugar; beat until stiff peaks form.
• By hand, stir in coconut, flour and vanilla, blending well.
• Set aside.
• Cake: In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, blending at low speed until moistened.
• Beat 3 minutes at medium speed and then pour batter into greased and flour 12 cup Bundt Pan.
• Drop teaspoonfuls of coconut filling over the chocolate batter.
• Bake at 350°F for 55-65 minutes or until cake tests done.
• Cool 10-15 minutes in pan, then turn out onto serving plate or rack to cool completely.
• Top with vanilla or chocolate glaze.