Introducing the Marble Blue Cheese Layer Cake, a unique blend of savory and sweet flavors that’s sure to intrigue and delight your palate. Perfect for those who love to experiment with unconventional cake flavors, this cake combines the tangy zest of blue cheese with the sweet, soft texture of blue velvet layers, all wrapped up in a creamy frosting.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 3 ¼ cups cake flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ tsp fine salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs
- ¾ cup full-fat sour cream
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- Blue food gel
- ¼ cup blue cheese powder
Frosting:
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter (3 sticks), softened
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 8 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ tbsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- ¼ tsp citric acid
Directions
- Cake Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans.
- Sift together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, mix sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract. Alternately add the dry and wet ingredients to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
- Creating the Marble Effect:
- Divide the batter in half. Mix cocoa powder and blue food gel into one half for the blue velvet layer, and stir blue cheese powder into the other half.
- Spoon the two batters into the prepared pans, alternating them to create a marbled effect. Gently tap the pans to even out the batter.
- Baking:
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frosting Preparation:
- In a large bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in heavy cream, vanilla, salt, and citric acid until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Tint the frosting blue if desired.
- Cake Assembly:
- Level the cake layers if necessary. Stack them with a generous amount of frosting between each layer.
- Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting around the entire cake and chill to set. Once chilled, apply the final coat of frosting.
- Decorate with piped frosting ruffles or additional designs as desired.
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 90 minutes
Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to ensure even mixing and a smooth batter.
- Smooth Frosting: For a lighter, airier frosting, beat it until it is fluffy and light.
- Chill Before Frosting: Cooling the cake layers before applying the frosting can make them easier to handle and help achieve a smoother finish.
Conclusion
The Marble Blue Cheese Layer Cake is a sophisticated and adventurous choice for those looking to explore new culinary territories. With its eye-catching appearance and distinctive taste, this cake is perfect for special occasions or as a gourmet dessert at any gathering. Enjoy the rich, complex flavors that make this cake a truly unforgettable treat!