My Chocolate Fantasy

Gourmet cakes are baked sweet foods designed elegantly in classic style. It comes in round shapes, having different assortments and designs. Gourmet cakes are often served in celebrations, special occasions and festivities.
Gourmet cakes are both sophisticated and delicious. They can be birthday cakes, wedding cakes or holiday cakes. It is a great gift for any type of occasion.
Most common flavors:
• White Cake
• Marble Cake
• Cheese Cake
• Spice Cake
• Raspberry Cake
• Banana Cake
• Chocolate Cake
• Strawberry Short Cake
• Sour Cherry Cake
• Carrot Cake
• Raspberry Cake
• Lemon Cake
• and Zest Orange Cake
One can choose from the cake fillings available in cake stores like:
• Natural Preserves
• Fresh Fruits
• Bavarian Cream
• Fudge Filling
• Chocolate Mousse
• Chocolate Ganache
• Pineapple Charlotte
• Pear Mousseline
• Cannolis Filling
• Cream Cheese
• Mocha
• Cream Cheese
• Raspberry Mousse
Gourmet cake icings depend on the artistic design. Most ingredients they use would include the following:
Whipped Cream:
This is a non-dairy product which has a light kind of icing. It is not that sweet.
Butter Cream:
This is made from starch, having real unsalted butter.
Ganache
It has a rich chocolate taste. It can be melted into an icing and poured on a butter creamed iced cake.
Rolled Fondant:
This is a smooth looking sugar paste that can be rolled to cover butter cream cake.
Different Types of Gourmet Cakes:
Cheesecakes are made of cream cheese, cottage cheese and ricotta. It has a little flour component. Different flavors and toppings include key lime, strawberry, mango and kahlua. Cheesecakes can be decorated on top with fruits or nuts.
Rum or brandy cakes are a flavorful blend of sweetness and crème sherry subtle.
Muffin cakes have a tendency to dry out fast. It is much heavier as compared to other conventional cakes. Tea and coffee are good complements of banana or plain vanilla muffins. Muffins are usually served in tea parties.
Meringue cakes are good for formal occasions. It is made of fruit or ice cream.
Angel food cakes are fluffy and light because of beaten egg whites. It is recommended to dieters because the cake does not contain fat. Angel cakes can be drizzled with fruit sauce.
Chocolate cakes are the all-time favorite of adults and children alike. Different variations have come out such as:
• Chocolate raspberry
• Chocolate butter cream
• Chocolate hazelnut, etc
This cake is perfect for all occasions.
Coffee cakes are a smooth blend of chocolate, coffee and cream. It is ideal for a family gathering or tea party. This can be blended with walnut, banana and almonds. This cake is perfect to eat with hot tea or ice cream.
French pastries or gateaux are prepared with exotic and colorful flavors. Tarts are filled with cream, fresh strawberries and other fillings. Black forest and gateau Basque are one of the well-loved wonderful dessert cakes.
Some of the well-loved cakes are:
Red Velvet Cake – This is a smooth southern classic cake that is also one of Oprah’s favorites. It has a mild chocolate flavor, having a rich shade of red. Red Velvet Cakes are topped with frostings of thick cream cheese, making it more moist and delicious.
Chocolate Satin Cake – This cake is a two layered dark and moist chocolate filled with rich satin smooth ganache frosting. The sides are designed with chocolate crumbs.
Banana Split Silk Cake – It has caramel and roasted walnuts topped with dark chocolate ganache layers. It also has a white chocolate strawberry silk, white chocolate banana silk and strawberries on top.
Mocha Hazelnut Truffle Cake – This cake is an ultimate chocolate dessert. It is completely flourless and not too sweet. It is decorated with chocolate ganache and bordered with rosettes.
Best seller gourmet cakes include:
• Black Forest
• Chocolate Chip Cake
• Carrot Spice Layer Cake
• Chocolate Truffle
• Cappuccino Cake
• Strawberry Short Cake
• Chocolate Mousse
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Torte

When we think of Black Forest Cake we usually think of a chocolate cake, whipped cream, and cherries.  But not this Black Forest Cake.  If you notice this is Han’s Black Forest Cake and you can imagine that Han is a German name.  So he knows his Black Forest Cake.  This original recipe was made famous in Texas by a German named  Hans who gave it up to the public domain years ago.  I have made a few changes but still call it Han’s to differenciate it from my other Black Forest Cake recipes. Give it a try, you won’t even miss the cherries.  I promise!  This cake is sure to become a favorite among your family and friends!

HAN’S BLACK FOREST CAKE

10 large egg whites3 cups minus 2 tbsp sugar, divided1 tbsp cornstarch1/2 lb blanched almonds, finely grated1 envelope unflavored gelatin2 tbsp hot water3 cups whipping cream1 tsp vanilla extractdark sweet chocolate, shaveddark sweet chocolate, finely gratedpowdered sugar for dusting

Beat the egg whites in a large mixing bowl until foamy. Gradually add 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons of the sugar, beating constantly until mixture forms a mass that will stand in a stiff peak. Combine 1 cup of the sugar with the cornstarch; carefully fold this into the beaten egg whites along with the grated almonds. Spread the mixture onto baking sheets lined with buttered parchment paper, forming three 10-inch circles using the collar of a 10-inch springform pan. (Place the collar on the paper, fill with the mixture, lift the collar and repeat twice more.) Bake in a 250 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours. Remove from pans, cool on wire racks.

Dissolve the gelatin in the hot water then allow to cool slightly. Commbine the whipping cream and the vanilla; beat until stiff. Add the remaining 1 cup sugar and the warm gelatin mixture, mixing carefully.

To assemble the cake: Spread some of the whipped cream mixture between the meringue layers. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining whipped cream mixture. Sprinkle the chocolate shavings over the top of the cake and press the grated chocolate onto the sides. Sift the powdered sugar over the top. Store in a cool area.

NOTE: You are not misreading the recipe and it is not a mistake; there are no cherries in or on this cake.  But you will never miss them!

Enjoy!