Pomegranate Cream Icing Recipes

Steps:

• Place blackberries in a blender; cover and process until pureed. Press through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl; discard seeds., In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Beat in vanilla and salt. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add blackberry puree; beat until blended.

Steps:

• Line two 20cm springform cake tins with baking parchment. Whisk the eggs with the sugar in a bowl for 5 mins or so until thick and aereated. Slowly pour in the olive oil, whisking continuously, then pour in the honey and vanilla, and whisk again to combine.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Combine the flour, baking powder, spices and a pinch of salt in another bowl and mix. Lightly sieve this into the wet mixture, fold in, then add the walnut flour, little by little, until combined. Fold through the chopped walnuts and divide between the tins.
• Bake for 25-30 mins until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove and leave to cool in the tins.
• To make the candied walnuts, tip the walnuts onto a baking tray and roast in the oven at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 4-5 mins until crisp. Meanwhile, combine the sugar, molasses and 20ml water in a saucepan, and set over a medium heat until the mixture turns a deep caramel colour (around 3-4 mins). Turn the heat down low, then add the nuts, stirring constantly until completely coated. Remove from the heat and tip out onto a layer of baking parchment to cool.
• To make the frosting, beat together the icing sugar and cream cheese until well combined and smooth (the icing will get thinner before it thickens, so continue to whisk for 2 mins), then briefly stir through the molasses to create a ripple effect. Spread half of the frosting on top of one of the cake layers, then sandwich with the other. Top with more icing, the pomegranate seeds and candied walnuts. Serve cut into slices. Will keep chilled in an airtight container for up to three days.

Steps:

• * Note: To remove the seeds, roll the pomegranate on a cutting board, pressing down slightly. Then score the leathery skin into quarters and submerge it in a bowl of cold water. Gently break open the pomegranate and separate the seeds from the pith. The pith will float to the top of the bowl, and can be easily scooped off. Be sure to keep the fruit under water as you work, to prevent it from squirting on you and your clothing. Beat the butter until light and creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar until the frosting is light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and pomegranate molasses. To frost a cake, cut the cake in half horizontally, and place the bottom on a cake plate. Spread one-fourth of the frosting over the cake and sprinkle with half the pomegranate seeds. Top with the other cake half and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle the cake with the chopped nuts and the remaining pomegranate seeds. This recipe yields enough to frost a 9-inch layer cake. Each serving: 390 calories; 235 mg. sodium; 62 mg. cholesterol; 26 grams fat; 15 grams saturated fat; 39 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram protein; 0.38 gram fiber.

Steps:

• In an electric mixer, beat the butter until soft, add the cream cheese and beat together until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, until the mixture is is grainy, like breadcrumbs.
• Slowly add the pomegranate syrup and beat the mixture on high for about a minute and a half, until everything is smooth, creamy and fully incorporated. Refrigerate until needed, keep leftovers sealed and refrigerated.

Steps:

• Using a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until it is just soft.
• Add the butter and mix to fully incorporate.
• Add the sugar and mix well.
• Add the pomegranate molasses and beat to incorporate so that there are no streaks remaining.