Gilded Mocha-Walnut Layer Cake Recipe

Gilded Mocha-Walnut Layer Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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This has been in my recipe file for years. This lovely cake is perfect for any occasion where you would like to impress your company. It does take some time to make, but it is worth the time when you hear the compliments.—Lorraine Caland, Thunder Bay, Ontario

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Gilded Mocha-Walnut Layer Cake Recipe

Prep: 55 min. + standing Bake: 15 min.+ chilling

Yield: 12 Servings

55 15 70

Ingredients

10 eggs
1-1/2 cups ground walnuts
1 cup cake flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
MOCHA BUTTERCREAM FILLING:
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
2 egg yolks, beaten
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Gold pearl dust

Directions

Separate eggs; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the ground walnuts, flour, cinnamon and salt; set aside. Grease the bottom of four 9-in. round baking pans; line with waxed paper. Dust with flour and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat egg yolks until slightly thickened. Gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating on high speed for 10 minutes or until thick and lemon-colored. Blend in vanilla. Gently stir 1/3 cup ground walnut mixture at a time into yolk mixture; fold in chopped walnuts.
In another bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. Fold a fourth of egg whites into the batter, then fold in remaining whites. Gently spoon into prepared pans.
Bake at 350° for 14-18 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For filling, in a heavy saucepan, bring the sugar, water and coffee granules to a boil; cook over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add a small amount of hot mixture to egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Cook 2 minutes longer or until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Cool to room temperature.
In a microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Gradually beat in coffee mixture and chocolate. Beat in confectioners' sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes.
For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form.
Spread mocha filling between cake layers. Frost top and sides of cake with whipped cream; dust with gold dust. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Yield: 12 servings.

Editor's Note: Pearl dust is available from Wilton Industries. Call 800-794-5866 or visit wilton.com.

Nutritional Facts 1 slice equals 751 calories, 49 g fat (24 g saturated fat), 305 mg cholesterol, 284 mg sodium, 73 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 11 g protein.

Originally published as Gilded Mocha-Walnut Layer Cake in Taste of Home Christmas Annual Annual 2012, p39

Grinding Nuts

A food processor can make short work of grinding nuts, but if you're not careful you can end up with nut butter instead of ground nuts. To avoid this, toss the nuts with 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour from the recipe. This will absorb some of the nut oil and help keep the nuts moving freely in the processor. Also, pulse the processor on and off to help prevent overprocessing.