Indulge in the heavenly and devilish delight of the classic Heaven and Hell Cake, a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes taste buds with its contrasting flavors and textures. This iconic cake features three distinct layers, each offering a unique sensory experience. The "Heaven" layer is a fluffy, moist vanilla sponge cake, a perfect canvas for the rich and decadent chocolate ganache that forms the "Hell" layer. The third layer, aptly named "Purgatory," is a luscious combination of both vanilla cake and chocolate ganache, creating a harmonious balance between the two extremes. With its visually striking presentation and irresistible taste, the Heaven and Hell Cake is a true feast for the senses, perfect for any occasion.
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HEAVEN AND HELL CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER GANACHE
A post by Claire inspired me to go off in search of this recipe. I haven't tried it yet, but will do so immediately!
Provided by Mirj2338
Categories Dessert
Time 1h50m
Yield 16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- ANGEL FOOD CAKE: Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cut a circle of parchment paper or wax paper to fit the bottom of a 9" cake pan.
- Do not grease the pan or paper.
- Sift together the flour and powdered sugar and set aside.
- Place the egg whites in the bowl of a heavy duty mixer.
- Beat slowly while adding the salt and cream of tartar and continue beating for 1 minute or until soft peaks form.
- Increase speed to medium, add sugar into whites by tablespoons until all is incorporated, then beat about 1-1/2 minutes longer.
- When egg whites have stiff peaks, add vanilla and almond extract.
- Remove bowl from mixer and sprinkle half of the powdered sugar-flour mixture and fold in again, using a minimum number of strokes so the egg whites do not deflate.
- Gently spoon the mixture into the pan and bake for 40-50 minutes or until golden brown.
- Do not over bake or the cake will sink in the center.
- DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Oil and flour a round 9-inch cake pan.
- Sift the cocoa powder into the mixing bowl, then drizzle in the coffee while whisking to make a smooth paste.
- Set aside.
- (Might be more liquid than paste) Combine shortening, sugar, vanilla, and eggs and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
- Alternately add the cocoa-coffee mixture and the flour mixture to the sugar-egg mixture and continue beating until incorporated.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes.
- Test for doneness.
- PEANUT BUTTER MOUSSE: In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the cream cheese until light and creamy.
- Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, then the peanut butter.
- If mixture looks lumpy, add 2 tablespoons of heavy cream.
- Continue beating until thoroughly incorporated and fluffy.
- Transfer mixture to another bowl and set aside.
- Place heavy cream in the electric mixer bowl and whip until stiff.
- Carefully, but thoroughly, combine both mixtures; set aside.
- GANACHE (FROSTING): In a saucepan, bring the cream to a boil and stir in the chocolate.
- Remove from heat, cover pan and let the chocolate melt.
- Whisk to combine thoroughly then let cool to room temperature.
- ASSEMBLING HEAVEN AND HELL CAKE: When both cakes have cooled, carefully slice them in half horizontally with a long, serrated knife so that you now have four layers.
- Place one layer of the devil's food cake on a cake plate and spoon 1/3 of the peanut butter mousse on the top.
- Place a layer of the angel food on top of the mousse and spread with another 1/3 of the peanut butter.
- Continue layering until you have four layers of cake and three layers of mousse.
- Whisk the ganache and spread with a spatula over the top and sides to frost generously.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.
- Serve chilled; slice with a warm, wet knife.
- Recipe Tip: slice thinly!
- It's rich!
HEAVEN AND HELL CAKE
Steps:
- 1.Ganache: Place chocolate in med bowl. Bring cream to boil in 2-qt. pan; pour cream over chocolate; melt for 5 min. Stir chocolate and cream. Cover; rest for 4 hours. 2. Angel cake: Heat oven to 325°. Line a 10" cake pan with ungreased parchment paper. In med bowl, sift together 10x sugar & flour; set aside. In large bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, & salt on low until frothy. Increase speed to med, sprinkle in sugar, vanilla, & almond extract; beat until stiff peaks form. Sprinkle half of flour mixture over egg whites; fold until just combined. Repeat with remaining flour mixture. Pour into prepped cake pan. Bake until cake springs back when touched, 45-50 minutes. Cool. 3. Devil's cake: Heat oven to 350°. Grease 10" cake pan w/shortening; dust w/ flour to coat shaking out excess. In med bowl, whisk together cake flour, soda, salt, and baking powder; set aside. In another med bowl, whisk coffee & cocoa until smooth; set mixture aside. In large bowl, beat shortening, sugar, vanilla, and eggs on med until pale & fluffy, 2 min. Alternately add flour mixture & coffee mixture to the bowl in 3 stages, beating to combine after each addition. Pour batter into cake pan & bake until a pick comes out clean, 30-35 minutes; cool. 4. Mousse: In large bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, & 10x sugar on medium until smooth and fluffy, about 3 min. Put cream into a large bowl & beat on high until stiff peaks form. Fold cream into peanut butter mixture; refrigerate. 5. Assemble: Using serrated knife, slice each cake horizontally into 2 layers. Place 1 layer of the devil's food cake on a cake stand & spread 1/3 of the peanut butter mousse over top w/ a butter knife. Top mousse with a layer of angel food cake & spread w/half of the remaining mousse. Repeat w/remaining devil's food, mousse, & angel food. Wrap in plastic wrap; freeze for 2 hours. Stir ganache until smooth; spread over the top & sides of the cake w/butter knife. Refrigerate for 2 hours before slicing.
STEPHEN PYLES 'HEAVEN AND HELL' CAKE
Steps:
- ANGEL FOOD CAKE Preheat oven to 350° F. Use 10" pan. Sift together the flour and powdered sugar and set aside. Place the egg whites in the bowl of a heavy duty mixer. Beat slowly while adding the salt and cream of tartar and continue beating for 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium and pour sugar into whites by tablespoons until all is incorporated and continue beating about 3 minutes longer. When egg whites have stiff peaks, add vanilla and almond extract. Remove bowl from mixer and sprinkle half of the powdered sugar-flour mixture over the top of the egg whites and fold in with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with remaining sugar and fold in again, using a minimum number of strokes so the egg whites do not deflate. Gently spoon the mixture into the pan and bake for 30-40 minutes. DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE Preheat oven to 350° F. Sift the cocoa powder into the mixing bowl, then drizzle in the coffee while whisking to make a smooth paste. Set aside. Combine shortening, sugar, vanilla, and eggs and beat for 2 minutes with paddle on medium speed. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Alternately add the cocoa-coffee mixture and the dry ingredients to the sugar-egg mixture and continue beating until incorporated. Pour batter into an oiled and floured cake pan and bake for 30 minutes. PEANUT BUTTER MOUSSE In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the cream cheese until light and creamy and gradually beat in the powdered sugar; set aside. Place the peanut butter in the bowl of the electric mixer and beat until creamy. Blend into the cream mixture until just incorporated. Transfer mixture to another bowl and set aside. Place heavy cream in the electric mixer bowl and whip until stiff. Carefully, but thoroughly, combine ingredients. Set aside. GANACHE In a saucepan, bring the cream to a boil and stir in the chocolate. Cover pan and let melt. Whisk to combine thoroughly then let cool to room temperature.
Tips:
- Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start baking. This will help the cake batter to emulsify properly and produce a smooth, even texture.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dense cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Bake the cake in a preheated oven. This will help the cake to rise evenly and prevent it from sinking in the middle.
- Don't open the oven door during baking. This can cause the cake to fall. If you need to check on the cake, do so by looking through the oven window.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting to set properly and prevent it from melting.
Conclusion:
Heaven and Hell Cake is a classic dessert that is sure to impress your friends and family. With its moist chocolate cake, rich chocolate frosting, and creamy vanilla frosting, this cake is a true indulgence. By following these tips, you can bake a perfect Heaven and Hell Cake that everyone will love.
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