See part 1
springs back when gently pressed with a finger.
9.Cool the cake layers in the pans set on wire racks for 5 minutes. Run a
thin-bladed knife around the edges of the cake layers to loosen them.
Invert the cake layers onto wire racks. Peel off the paper circles and
leave them loosely attached to the bottom of the cake layers. Reinvert the
layers onto other racks so that they are right side up. Cool the cake
layers completely.
Make the raspberry sauce:
1.In a non-corrosive medium saucepan, combine the frozen raspberries and
sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves
and the raspberries start to soften. Continue to cook at a gentle simmer
for 3 to 5 minutes, until the raspberries are completely softened.
2.Press the raspberry mixture through a fine-meshed sieve into a 1-quart
measuring cup, reserving 1 cup of the puree. Discard the seeds. Pour the
raspberry puree into a clean noncorrosive medium saucepan.
3.Put the arrowroot in a small cup. Slowly stir in the water until the
mixture is completely smooth. Scrape the arrowroot mixture into the
raspberry puree and stir until blended.
4.Cook the raspberry puree over medium heat, stirring constantly with a
wooden spoon, until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 30 to 60 seconds,
until the sauce is transluscent. Do not boil for longer than 1 minute, or
the sauce will become watery. Remove the pan from the heat.
5.Cool the sauce to room temperature and stir in the liqueur to taste.
Transfer the sauce to a bowl; cover and refrigerate.
Make the dark chocolate shavings:
1.Warm the 6-ounce chunk of dark chocolate by placing it on a piece of
waxed paper. Microwave on MEDIUM (50 percent) power for 10 second
intervals, until the chocolate starts to soften slightly. This can take
three to six tries, depending on the wattage of the microwave, the type and
brand of chocolate and the temperature of the kitchen. The chocolate should
soften slightly, not melt. Alternatively, soften the chocolate by heating
it with a portable blow dryer. Turn the chocolate chunk every few seconds,
until it begins to soften.
2.Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Grip the chocolate chunk with a
folded paper towel so that your hand does not melt the chocolate. Using a
sharp vegetable peeler, scrape one of the edges of the chocolate chunk in a
downward motion, forming loose shavings. As you form the shavings, let them
fall onto the waxed paper. Continue making shavings until most of the
chocolate has been used. Refrigerate the dark chocolate shavings on the
baking sheet until ready to decorate the cake.
Make the black satin fudge frosting:
1.Melt the chocolate according to the instructions in the Chocolate Melting
Tips.
2.Put the milk, butter, black raspberry liqueur and vanilla in a food
processor fitted with the metal chopping blade. Add the melted chocolate.
Cover for 20 to 30 seconds, until the frosting is thick and creamy. Use the
frosting immediately. Reserve 1 cup of the frosting for piping on top of
the cake. Use the remaining frosting to fill and frost the cake.
Assemble and frost the cake:
1.Remove the paper circles from the bottoms of the cake layers. If
necessary, trim the tops of the cake layers so that they are level with a
long serrated knife. Place one of the cake layers on an 9-inch cardboard
cake circle. Using a small offset metal cake spatula, spread 3 tablespoons
of the raspberry jam over the top of the cake layer. Spread 3/4-cup of the
black satin fudge frosting in an even layer over the raspberry jam. Put the
second cake layer on top of the frosting. Spread the remaining 2
tablespoons of the raspberry jam over the cake layer. Cover the raspberry
jam with 2/3-cup of the frosting. Put the third cake layer on top of the
frosting.
2.Lift up the cake, supporting the bottom in one hand. With the other hand,
using a metal cake spatula, frost the top of the cake with some of the
fudge frosting. Spread more of the frosting around the side of the cake,
filling in the space between the edge of the cardboard and the side of the
cake. Finish the top by holding the metal cake spatula at a slight angle
and with several strokes, smooth the raised lip of frosting around the
upper edge toward the center of the cake until the cake is smooth.
Decorate the cake:
1.Remove the tray of dark chocolate shavings from the refrigerator. Lift up
the cake on the cardboard, supporting the bottom of the cake with one hand.
Hold the cake over the tray of chocolate shavings. Using a baker’s scraper
or metal spatula, scoop up some of the shavings and gently press them
against the side of the cake. Continue until the side of the cake is evenly
covered with shavings.
continued in part 3
Yields
10 Servings