HEAVEN AND HELL CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER GANACHE

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!