Hungarian seven-layer cake
Hungarian Seven-Layer Cake
Recipe By : Felicia Pickering
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Cakes
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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Cake
6 large eggs, separated
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
Bittersweet Chocolate Filling and Icing
5 ounces unsweetened chocolate
(for a sweeter icing, use semisweet for al
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon dry instant coffee
4 egg yolks
1/4 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
cut into 1/2-inch pieces
If you have only two or three 8-inch pans, and if they will fit on
the same rack, adjust the rack to the lowest position in the oven.
If you have more pans than will fit on one rack, adjust two racks,
one to the lowest position and the other closer to the middle. Preheat
oven to 350 F.
Cut seven circles of wax paper to fit the 8-inch pans. Butter as many
pans as you have, line them with the papers and butter the papers. Set
the prepared pans aside and reserve the extra circles of wax paper.
In the small bowl of an electric mixer beat the egg yolks and about
half of the sugar at high speed for about 5 minutes until very pale and
thick. On low speed gradually add the flour and beat, scraping the
bowl with a rubber spatula and beating only until the flour is incorporated.
The mixture will be very thick. Remove it from the mixer (use your index
finger to scrape the beaters clean.)
Add the salt to the egg whites in the large bowl of the electric mixer.
With clean beaters, beat until the whites hold a soft shape. Reduce the
speed to moderate, gradually add the remaining sugar, then increase the
speed again and beat until the whites hold a firm shape.
Add about 1/2 cup of the beaten whites to the yolks and stir it in.
Then stir in another 1/2 cup. Then, adding about 1/2 cup at a time,
fold in all but about 2 cups of the whites. Fold the yolks into the
remaining whites.
You will have about 6 1/2 cups of batter to make seven layers, therefore
each layer should use a scant 1 cup of batter. It is not necessary to
measure the amount - you can approximate it. Spread the batter smoothly
all the way to the edges of the prepared pans - it must touch the sides
of the pans all the way around, and it should be smooth.
The layers should bake about 15 minutes. If you are using more than one
rack, the pans must be reversed top to bottom once during baking; each
layer should spend some time on the lowest rack so that the bottom bakes
well. When done, the tops will be barely colored, and the layers may
show signs of beginning to come away from the pans at the edges.
Spread out a large, smooth (not terry cloth) cotton or linen towel.
When the layers are done, cut around the sides to release and then
invert the layers onto the towel. Remove the pans and peel off the
papers. If the bottoms are baked dry enough the papers will peel off
in one piece; if they don't, it is all right to tear the papers off,
once section at a time. (The bottoms should be a little darker than
the tops.) With your hands immediately turn the layers right side up -
the tops of the layers are sticky and would stick to the towel. Let
stand until cool.
The remaining batter may wait uncovered at room temperature, but don't
waste any time getting it all baked. Wash the pans, prepare them as
before, and bake the remaining layers.
Prepare a flat cake plate by lining the sides with four strips of wax
paper. Place one layer right side up on the plate, checking to be
sure that the papers touch the cake all around.
If you have a cake-decorating turntable or a lazy Susan, place the
cake plate on it. Prepare the filling and icing.
Bittersweet Chocolate Filling and Icing
Place the chocolate in the top of a small double boiler over hot water
on moderate heat. Cover until partially melted, then uncover and stir
until completely melted.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, mix the water with the sugar and instant
coffee. Place over moderate heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved
and the mixture comes to a boil.
Also meanwhile, in the small bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg
yolks at high speed until they are pale lemon-colored.
When the sugar/coffee syrup is ready, turn the mixer speed to low and
very slowly, in a thin stream, beat the syrup into the yolks. Then
add the warm melted chocolate and beat only until smooth - it will be
very thick.
Now, beating slowly, add the butter, one or two pieces at a time, and
beat well until completely blended.
With a long, narrow metal spatula spread a very thin layer of the
buttercream over the cake, spreading it smoothly all the way to the
edges. The layers of filling must be thin or there will not be enough
to cover the top and sides - this amount is just right if you spread it
thin enough. All the layers should be placed right side up except the
top one, which should be upside down to insure a perfectly flat top.
After filling all the layers, cover the top and sides. But just before
spreading the icing on the top and sides of the cake, if it is not silken
smooth, and if you have a food processor, process the icing (use the metal
blade) for a few seconds and like magic it will become completely smooth.
Then, with a long, narrow metal spatula, spread the icing smooth.
Remove the wax paper strips by pulling each one out toward a narrow end.
Refrigerate for several hours to set the icing. The cake may be cold when
it is served or at room temperature. It should be cut with a sharp, heavy
knife. If you freeze this, chill it until the icing is firm before wrapping;
then thaw overnight or for several hours in the refrigerator before unwrapping.
Before serving the top may be covered with small chocolate shavings which may,
if you wish, be coated with a sprinkling of dry powdered sweetened or
unsweetened cocoa.
(Recipe is from _Maida Heatter's Book of Great Chocolate Desserts_. This
cake may be refrigerated for a day or two or it may be frozen.)
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