Hawaiian Lei Wedding Cake

Serves: 5

Eda Schinner

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

47

Spice

48

Sweetness

60

Sourness

38

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.7

Difficulty

Ingredients:

4 tsps

Vanilla

9 cups

Cake Flour

5 tbsp

Baking Powder

1 cup

White Rum

1 cup

Heavy Cream

Directions:

1

Special equipment: three 12-inch round cake pans, three 8-inch round cake pans, three 6-inch round cake pans, flower cutters, straws or dowels, a pastry bag fitted with a round number 10 tip and a 14-inch cake drum For the butter cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

2

Grease three 12-inch round cake pans, three 8-inch round cake pans and three 6-inch round cake pans with butter and line with parchment

3

Set aside

4

In 2 batches, using half of the ingredients for each batch (see Cook's Note), whisk together the milk, vanilla and egg whites in a bowl and set aside

5

Mix the cake flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in the bowl of stand mixer

6

Add the butter cubes and continue beating on low for 1 to 2 minutes

7

Add about half of the milk mixture and beat at medium speed for 1 1/2 minutes

8

Add the remaining milk mixture and beat for about 1 minute

9

Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake until the cakes are light golden brown and bounce back when lightly pressed in the center, 12 to 15 minutes for the 6-inch pans, 15 to 20 minutes for the 8-inch pans and 25 to 30 minutes for the 12-inch pans

10

Let the cakes cool for about 5 minutes in the pans, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely before assembling, 25 to 30 minutes

11

For the coconut-rum syrup: Combine the cream of coconut and rum in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer

12

Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature

13

For the passionfruit buttercream: Cream together the powdered sugar, butter, passionfruit puree and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer

14

Continue beating until thick and creamy

15

For the American buttercream: Cream together the powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, heavy cream and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer

16

Continue beating until thick and creamy

17

For the gum paste flowers: Lightly sprinkle cornstarch on a wood board and roll the gum paste out very thinly

18

Using a flower cutter, cut out flower shapes

19

Place the flowers in the cups of a mini muffin tin that has been lightly dusted with cornstarch

20

Let dry for at least 2 hours or overnight

21

Mix each gel food color with about 1 tablespoon of vodka until the desired color is achieved

22

Paint the dry flowers with the food-coloring paint, then let dry completely

23

Cake Assembly: For the 12-inch tier: Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the top of one 12-inch layer with the coconut-rum syrup

24

Spread the first layer with enough passionfruit buttercream to achieve a thickness of about 1/2 inch

25

Top with a second cake layer and repeat with the coconut-rum syrup and passionfruit buttercream

26

Top with the third layer and brush with the syrup

27

Stabilize the tier with straws or dowels

28

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or longer if possible

29

For the 8-inch tier: Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the top of one 8-inch layer with the coconut-rum syrup

30

Spread the first layer with enough passionfruit buttercream to achieve a thickness of about 1/2 inch

31

Top with a second cake layer and repeat with the coconut-rum syrup and passionfruit buttercream

32

Top with the third layer and brush with the syrup

33

Stabilize the tier with straws or dowels

34

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or longer if possible

35

For the 6-inch tier: Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the top of one 6-inch layer with the coconut-rum syrup

36

Spread the first layer with enough passionfruit buttercream to achieve a thickness of about 1/2 inch

37

Top with a second cake layer and repeat with the coconut-rum syrup and passionfruit buttercream

38

Top with the third layer and brush with the syrup

39

Stabilize the tier with straws or dowels

40

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or longer if possible

41

Once the cakes are chilled, crumb-coat each tier with the American buttercream frosting

42

Chill each tier for at least 1 hour

43

After chilling, apply a final coating of the American buttercream frosting using a decorative technique or by completely smoothing the top and sides of the cakes

44

Chill the completely frosted tiers again

45

Place the 12-inch tier on a 14-inch cake drum

46

Gently place and center the 8-inch tier on top of the 12-inch tier

47

Repeat with the 6-inch tier

48

Using more buttercream placed in a pastry bag with a round number 10 tip, pipe a decorative bead border along the bottom of each tier

49

Once the cake is assembled, use buttercream frosting to affix the gum paste flowers to the cake in a cascading arrangement (or as desired)