Christmas Cake

Time to take a break from soap wrapping and ponder some Christmas Eve cake thoughts. Isn't that a pretty cake? I love its red and white layers. I always make a special cake for Christmas Eve. We host a Christmas Eve dinner at our home. It's actually my favorite part of the holidays next to Christmas morning. My dad, step mom, brother and his wife come to our home.  After browsing through oodles of cake receipts this one stood out. You may remember last years Christmas Eve cake.   That was a yummy cake! Pretty too. I think this one will be just as wonderful. I found the recipe in the chocolate book while browsing the magazines the other day. Which by the way, has some really yummy sounding recipes in that book. I very seldom purchase a magazine any more. It must really capture my attention more than once before I take the plunge. This one did just that. It's on the news stands now. The recipe though originated from Better Homes & Gardens. 

ingredients

• 1  12-ounce package fresh cranberries
• 1-1/4  cups granulated sugar
• 1/4  cup cranberry juice
• 2  teaspoons finely shredded orange peel
• 2  teaspoons

  lemon juice
• 1/4  teaspoon

  ground cinnamon
• 1/8  teaspoon

  ground ginger
• 1/8  teaspoon ground cloves
• 8  ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
• 2-1/4  cups all-purpose flour
• 2-1/4  teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4  teaspoon salt
• 10  tablespoons butter, softened
• 1-1/3  cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1-1/2  teaspoonsvanilla
• 1-1/4  cups milk
• 12  ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
• 1  cup butter, softened
• 2  teaspoonsvanilla
• 2  cups powdered sugar

 

directions

1.

For filling: In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, the 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar, the cranberry juice, orange peel, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 10 minutes or until thickened. Transfer filling to a medium bowl. Cover and chill for 2 hours. Transfer to a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until smooth.

2.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the bottoms of two 9x1 1/2-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms of pans with waxed paper; grease and lightly flour pans. Set aside.

3.

In a medium saucepan, cook and stir the 8 ounces white chocolate over low heat until melted. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the 10 tablespoons butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add the 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar, beating until combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in the 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Beat in melted white chocolate just until combined. Spread batter in the prepared cake pans.

4.

Bake about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Cool cake layers in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove layers from pans. Peel off waxed paper. Cool completely on wire racks.

5.

For frosting: In a medium saucepan, cook and stir the 12 ounces white chocolate over low heat until melted. Cool for 20 minutes. In a large bowl, beat the 1 cup butter on medium to high speed until fluffy. Beat in melted white chocolate and the 2 teaspoons vanilla. Gradually beat in powdered sugar.

6.

To assemble, use a long serrated knife to cut each cake layer in half horizontally. Place one layer, cut side up, on a serving plate. Spread with one-third of the filling. Top with the second layer; spread with one-third of the filling. Top with the third layer; spread with the remaining filling. Top with the fourth layer, cut side down.

7.

Spread top and side of cake with frosting. If desired, cover loosely and chill for up to 24 hours. Let stand about 30 minutes at room temperature before serving, if chilled. Makes 16 servings.