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Diploma Cake

Diploma Cake
GRADUATION GUESTS are bound to enjoy this sweet "certificate"...to a high degree! The yummy cake features a layer of creamy filling and fresh strawberries. By rolling up the dessert jelly-roll style, the CT kitchen staff formed an instant diploma shape. To tie it all together, our cooks created a bow and "2002" with red marzipan. If you like, just tint it a different shade to match a school's colo
8-10 ServingsPrep: 45 min. Bake: 15 min. + cooling

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 5 eggs, separated
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 cup sugar, divided
  • FILLING/FROSTING:
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
  • 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
  • MARZIPAN RIBBON:
  • 6 tablespoons almond paste
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon red liquid food coloring
  • Whole fresh strawberries, optional

Directions

  • Line a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with waxed paper or
  • parchment paper. Grease and flour the paper and sides of the pan.
  • Set the pan aside.
  • In a bowl, combine the flour and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and milk on low speed until
© Taste of Home 2013

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Diploma Cake (continued)

Directions (continued)

  • foamy. Add the cream of tartar and beat for 5 minutes or until
  • mixture is light and lemon-colored. Gradually add 1/2 cup of sugar
  • and mix well.
  • In a small bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually
  • add the remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff
  • glossy peaks form. Fold into the egg yolk mixture. Gently fold in
  • the flour mixture. Pour into the prepared pan.
  • Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until the top springs back when
  • lightly touched. Invert the cake onto a kitchen towel dusted with
  • confectioners' sugar. Gently peel of the waxed paper. Roll up the
  • cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool
  • the cake completely on a wire rack.
  • Filling/frosting: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add
  • the confectioners' sugar. Fold in the whipped cream.
  • Unroll the cake. Spread 1-1/4 cups of filling evenly over the top of
  • the cake to within 1/2 inch of the edges. Arrange the sliced
  • strawberries on top.
  • Roll up the cake and place on a serving platter or 13-in. x 8-in.
  • covered board. Frost cake with the remaining filling.
  • Marzipan: crumble the almond paste into a large bowl. Knead in the
  • corn syrup. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar until thoroughly
  • blended, kneading well after each addition. Add the food coloring
  • until combined.
  • With rolling pin, roll almond paste mixture to a 1/4 inch thickness
  • between two sheets of waxed paper.
  • To form ribbon, cut a 9-in. x 1-in. strip of marzipan. Referring to
  • the photo for position, place the strip across the center of the
  • cake roll.
  • Cut a 6-1/2 x 1-inch strip and a 3-1/4 x 1-inch strip. Join the ends
  • of the longer strip and pinch to seal, creating a loop. Wrap the
  • shorter strip around the center of the loop to form the middle of
  • the bow. Referring to the photo for position, place the bow on the
  • cake.
  • Cut two 4-in. x 1-in. strips. Cut a "V" in one end of each strip.
  • Referring to the photo for position, tuck the straight end of each
  • strip underneath the bow to create the ribbon ends.
  • Using the numeral cookie cutters, cut out two "2's" and two "0's".
  • Referring to the photo for position, place the cutouts on the cake
  • to form "2002".
  • If desired, arrange whole fresh strawberries on the platter around
© Taste of Home 2013

3 of 3

Diploma Cake (continued)

Directions (continued)

  • the cake. Yield: 8-10 servings.
Finished size: Cake is 10 inches long x 5-1/4 inches wide x 3-1/2 inches high.
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 slice) equals 416 calories, 20 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 164 mg cholesterol, 174 mg sodium, 55 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 7 g protein.
Wine: Sweet White Wine: Enjoy this recipe with a sweet white wine such as Moscato or a sweet Riesling.
© Taste of Home 2013