Scandinavian Spiced Christmas Cake With Applesauce Filling

Serves: 4

Felicia King

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

55

Spice

55

Sweetness

49

Sourness

37

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.8

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tsp

Salt

1 tsp

Baking Soda

1 cup

Water

1 cup

Sugar

1 large

Egg

1 cup

Buttermilk

1.25 cups

Applesauce

2 tbsps

Brandy

Directions:

1

For cake: Preheat oven to 350°F

2

Lightly butter 9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides

3

Line bottom of pan with parchment paper

4

Mix first 5 ingredients in medium bowl

5

Dissolve baking soda in 1/4 cup water

6

Using electric mixer, beat shortening and sugar in large bowl until blended

7

Beat in egg

8

Gradually beat in molasses

9

Mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk

10

Beat in baking soda mixture

11

Transfer batter to prepared pan

12

Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes

13

Transfer pan to rack and cool cake 10 minutes

14

Cut around pan sides to loosen cake

15

Turn cake out onto rack; peel off paper

16

Cool completely

17

Preheat oven to 350°F

18

Lightly butter 9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides

19

Line bottom of pan with parchment paper

20

Mix first 5 ingredients in medium bowl

21

Dissolve baking soda in 1/4 cup water

22

Using electric mixer, beat shortening and sugar in large bowl until blended

23

Beat in egg

24

Gradually beat in molasses

25

Mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk

26

Beat in baking soda mixture

27

Transfer batter to prepared pan

28

Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes

29

Transfer pan to rack and cool cake 10 minutes

30

Cut around pan sides to loosen cake

31

Turn cake out onto rack; peel off paper

32

Cool completely

33

For filling: Combine all ingredients in heavy medium saucepan

34

Cook over medium-low heat until thick and reduced to 1 cup, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes

35

Transfer filling to small bowl and cool completely

36

Discard cinnamon stick

37

(Cake and filling can be prepared 1 day ahead

38

Cover cake and let stand at room temperature

39

Cover filling with plastic wrap and refrigerate

40

) Combine all ingredients in heavy medium saucepan

41

Cook over medium-low heat until thick and reduced to 1 cup, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes

42

Transfer filling to small bowl and cool completely

43

Discard cinnamon stick

44

(Cake and filling can be prepared 1 day ahead

45

Cover cake and let stand at room temperature

46

Cover filling with plastic wrap and refrigerate

47

) For frosting: Beat chilled cream, sugar, 2 tablespoons molasses and brandy in large bowl until stiff peaks form

48

Spoon 3/4 cup frosting into pastry bag fitted with medium star tip

49

Cut cake into 3 equal layers

50

Using bottom of tart pan as aid, transfer 1 cake layer to platter, cut side up

51

Spread 1/2 cup applesauce filling over

52

Spread 1 cup frosting over

53

Repeat layering with 1 cake layer, 1/2 cup filling and 1 cup frosting

54

Top with remaining cake layer, cut side down

55

Spread some of remaining frosting thinly over top and sides of cake

56

Press almonds onto sides of cake

57

Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon molasses over top of cake

58

Pipe remaining frosting around top edge of cake

59

Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 6 hours

60

Beat chilled cream, sugar, 2 tablespoons molasses and brandy in large bowl until stiff peaks form

61

Spoon 3/4 cup frosting into pastry bag fitted with medium star tip

62

Cut cake into 3 equal layers

63

Using bottom of tart pan as aid, transfer 1 cake layer to platter, cut side up

64

Spread 1/2 cup applesauce filling over

65

Spread 1 cup frosting over

66

Repeat layering with 1 cake layer, 1/2 cup filling and 1 cup frosting

67

Top with remaining cake layer, cut side down

68

Spread some of remaining frosting thinly over top and sides of cake

69

Press almonds onto sides of cake

70

Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon molasses over top of cake

71

Pipe remaining frosting around top edge of cake

72

Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 6 hours