-
1
Angel Food Cake: Preheat oven to 375F.
-
2
Cut parchment paper or wax paper to fit the bottom of a 10-inch round cake pan.
-
3
Do not grease the pan or paper.
-
4
Sift together flour and confectioners' sugar.
-
5
Set aside.
-
6
Place egg whites in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer.
-
7
Beat slowly while adding the salt and cream of tartar, then continue beating for 1 minute, or until soft peaks form.
-
8
Increase speed to medium; add sugar, by tablespoons until it is all incorporated, then beat 1-1/2 minutes longer.
-
9
When egg whites are still, add vanilla and almond extract.
-
10
Remove bowl from mixer and sprinkle half the flour-sugar mixture over the egg whites.
-
11
Fold in with rubber spatula; sprinkle with remaining flour-sugar mixture and fold again, using a minimum number of strokes so that the egg whites don ot deflate.
-
12
Gently spoon mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown.
-
13
Do not over bake or the cake will sink in the middle.
-
14
Devil's Food Cake: Preheat oven to 350F.
-
15
Oil and flour a round 10-inch cake pan.
-
16
Sift cocoa into mixing bowl, then drizzle in the coffee while whisking to make a smooth paste.
-
17
Set aside.
-
18
Combine shortening, sugar, vanilla and eggs and beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.
-
19
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
-
20
Alternately add the coffee-cocoa mixture and the flour mixture to the egg-sugar mixture and continue beating until incorporated.
-
21
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes.
-
22
Peanut Butter Mousse: Into the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the cream cheese until light and creamy.
-
23
Gradually beat into he confectioners' sugar, then the peanut butter.
-
24
Continue beating until thoroughly incorporated and fluffy.
-
25
If mixture looks lumpy, add 2 tablespoons of heavy cream.
-
26
It may not smooth out, but it will be easier to blend.
-
27
Transfer mixture to another bowl and set aside.
-
28
Place the heavy cream in the electric mixer bowl and whip until stiff.
-
29
Carefully, but thoroughly, combine both mixtures.
-
30
Set aside.
-
31
Ganache: In a saucepan, over medium heat, bring the cream to a boil and stir in chocolate.
-
32
Remove from heat, cover pan and let chocolate melt.
-
33
Whisk to combine thoroughly, then let cool to room temperature.
-
34
To Assemble: When both cakes have cooled, carefully slice them in half horizontally with a sharp serrated knife (the longer the better), so that you now have four cake layers.
-
35
To slice angel food cake, spray the knife with oil.
-
36
Holding the top of the cake with your flat open hand, use a sawing action to slice through.
-
37
Do not put pressure on the knife, or the cake might tear; just let the sawing action do its work.
-
38
(If the cake sinks in the center, fill it in with some extra mousse.
-
39
Make this the top part 1 layer and it will be easier to level off.)
-
40
Place 1 layer of devil's food cake on a plate and spoon a third of the peanut butter mousse on top.
-
41
Add a layer of angel food cake, then spread with another third of the mousse.
-
42
Add second devil's food layer, then remaining mousse.
-
43
Top with remaining angel food layer.
-
44
Whisk the ganache, then spread over the cake with a spatula, frosting both top and sides generously.
-
45
Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.
-
46
Serve chilled; slice with warm, wet knife.