I really enjoy making cakes. I have featured a few on the blog but I must admit I get a lot of repeat requests from friends and family as they like the cakes they have tried before and as we don’t have them often generally they want a repeat of what they have tried. But then how would you know if you like other cakes if you don’t try them? Recently we had a family get together so I offered as I always do to make a cake, but, with one condition that I make something different. Easier said than done. I couldn’t decide what to make. Then I remembered experimenting with a toffee vodka in a cupcake recipe a little while back. I took a look in my drinks cabinet and there I found amaretto. Perfect. I have my first flavour but what to combine it with? After a little think I had planned out my next creation, an Almond and Amaretto Cake in a Double Chocolate Cage.
Almond and Amaretto Cake in a Double Chocolate Cage
Ingredients
250ml double cream (I normally use milk in my sponges but thought I’d try something different.)
170g softened butter
Extra softened butter to coat baking tins
440g caster sugar
6 medium eggs
1tsp vanilla essence
2tsp almond essence
530g plain flour
2tbsp baking powder
1tsp salt
For the Filling
460g double cream
120ml amaretto liquor
3 sheets of gelatin
55g sugar
Set aside a quarter of the filling once mixed to add to the butter cream
For the Butter cream Icing
340g softened butter
460g icing sugar
Set aside a quarter of the above filling once mixed to add to the butter cream
3tbs amaretto liquor
1tsp almond extract
Chocolate Cage
200g white chocolate
200g milk chocolate
Method
For the Sponge
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (a little higher if it isn’t a fan oven). Line the bottom of 3 9inch tins with greaseproof paper the coat with a little butter .
Place the cream and butter in a large pan and heat gently until the butter melt. Set aside to cool a little.
In another bowl whisk together the eggs and sugar. Add both essences and combine.
In a separate bowl measure out the flour, baking powder and salt and mix well.
Take the cream and butter mix and pour it into the egg and sugar mix and mix well. Then gradually sieve in and fold a few tablespoons at a time of the dry ingredient mix.
Once fully combined distribute evenly between the three tins.
Cook for 22-27 minutes at 170 degrees. Check it has cooked through with a skewer. Cool the sponges before adding the filling / butter cream.
For the Filling
Place the gelatin sheets into a bowl of cold water to soak.
In a saucepan place the double cream and Amaretto and simmer. Remove from heat. Squeeze out the liquid from the gelatin and add in the gelatin mixing well until it dissolves. Add in the sugar and stir well. Place in the fridge for approx. 30 minutes, it needs to be firm but do not allow it to set.
Spread the filling onto two of the cake tops, the base and middle cake then sandwich together and place in the fridge to chill.
For the Butter Cream Icing
Pop the butter and icing sugar into a bowl add in the amaretto liquor and almond extract plus the quarter of the filling which was set aside. Mix well then spread over the cake.
For the Chocolate Cage
Place a piece of baking paper around the cake and allow a few centimeters extra then cut. Trim the paper down so it is about 1.5 inches higher than the cake.
Melt one of the chocolates and drizzle in a circular motion all around the paper from the top to the bottom covering as many gaps as possible but keeping it even. Repeat with the other chocolate and allow to set a little. Do not allow the chocolate to set completely as it will crack when you place it around the side of the cake.
Hold the chocolate covered paper around the cake so it goes all the way around and gently press then remove the paper. The chocolate cage should stay attached to the cake.
Decorate the top as you wish.
I was in a hurry to go somewhere so I poured about 260g of Maltesers onto the top but you can always add chocolate dipped strawberries for a pretty finish.
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Oh my!!! Just surrendered from my less chocolate consumption challenge. Haha. I love the cage and and every part of this cake.
Lol, opsy, sorry about that. It’s worth breaking a diet for!!!!
If you like Almond Amaretto you should definitely try the Almond Amaretto flavoured coffee from Beanies! SO good!
Your cake looks delicious!
I will look into that, thanks for the tip. This is one of my favourite cakes.
OH MY GOD! This literally looks like a dream cake, the chocolate cage looks amazing! Such a great idea to make a nest style x
You would be shocked at how simple it is to make.
Mmm, this looks absolutely delicious. I’m definitely going to have to try and make one myself!
Louise x
It was yummy, I wish I had frozen some it would be nice to enjoy for a few months after.
You are so talented! Looking forward to seeing more cake posts from you in the future now
Trust me this was simple, I can’t make anything too complicated, bet you could do it easily too.
This looks delicious
The recipe looks easy to follow too
It was simple to do although a fair amount to it.
That is such a stunning looking cake! I love the cage around it. I want this as my birthday cake 🙂
It was amazing although massive, I think it’s enough for about 18 to 22 people.
My God that cake is beautiful! That chocolate cage is stunning, I’d love to try make one of those myself – it looks delicious too 🙂
It does look impressive but is surprisingly simple to do thankfully.
Why have I just started a diet..i need to eat this!!!
Lol, sorry Hannah x
Wow! Now this looks amazing Mel, I would more than definitely tuck into that x
I was really impressed at my first attempt, I was so glad I decided to experiment in the kitchen.
Wow you are super talented. This looks so good.
It’s simple to make, why not give it a try.
Oh my goodness can you make me a cake please, this looks absolutely amazing! x
I love this cake it has a lovely mix of flavours that go deliciously well together.
you got me at double chocolate cage. this looks and sounds amazing
It is a great cake to make for parties, people will want seconds and thirds.
Omg I love this! That chocolate cage is so effective.
It does look impressive doesn’t it x
I adore anything almond and this cake look amazing!
It is yummy although very BIG!!!!
Bloody hell this looks incredible! God I want cake now.
Me too, wish I had some at the moment as I really have a craving for it.
Oh wow this looks amazing, it is my Mums birthday next week and she would love this x
Give it a go, it’s very easy to make x
Holy moly!! I’ve sent this link to the hubby via whatsapp before even commenting. Need this in my life!
It is a yummy cake 😉
Oh this is so pretty! I bet it would be a big hit at a fancy event too. It sounds amazing.
Thanks Liz, it does look pretty good doesn’t it.
Holy cow you must be talented because that cake looks so complex I love the look of the cage around the delicious cake!
Thanks Ana, I wish I was the cake is super simple to make and you can make it with any chocolate you like.
wow this looks so so tasty! I’d love to try and make this type of cake one day!
It’s easy to do, have fun x
Oh My Gosh!! I have never seen anything quite like this! It looks amazing, and I bet it tastes it too!! x
It was fabulous, we all loved it, thankfully lol 😉
Oh wow! Seriously wow! You are incredibly talented. That cake looks amazing:)
Trust me it looks like it’s complicated but it really isn’t.
oh my what a creation!
wheres my slice? looks yummy 🙂
i bet the chocolate aroundthe sides was fun to eat 🙂
It sure was the kids went for that first.
Oh my God, this looks incredible! I especially love the chocolate cage. I will have to give this a go.
Have fun baking Tori 😉
This looks delicious! I am terrible at baking lol
This is super easy to make, why not give it a try 😉
Oh my goodness I am loving the look of this cake, I am salivating. Can I move to yours?
OH MY! I don’t even have words! This has got to be the most beautiful sounding cake and it looks amazing, I don’t even think I could recreate it! x
Oh my word, it’s like you spook to my stomach and asked it what it would like most in the word (ignoring my hips as they pleaded noooooo!) H x
that is absolutely amazing! Love the idea of the double chocolate cage around it to make it extra special.
You’re so clever! I wish I could bake half as well as this – I’m really good at eating cakes though… 😉
I love amaretto so I love the sound of the flavours in this cake. The chocolate cage is spectacular too and who knew it would be so easy!
This looks like my sort of cake! I really want to make one now 🙂
Louise x
Have fun baking Louise.
I loooooove Ameretto but there’s no way I’m talented enough to make something like this! I may have to bookmark this for when my baking improves though haha X
Wow this looks so amazing! Love it.
OMG that cake looks like total chocolate-lovers heaven! And the cage around the outside really elevates it even more! ?
Thanks Keely, I was pleased with the cake, glad I followed my instincts with the recipe now.
This looks amazing and so nice!! Is it possible to make it without the geletin? My sister would love this, so going to share this post with her
Don’t forget you can get vegetarian gelatin too! 😉
Oh wow, that looks amazing, I’ve got to try this for the kids, and I’m definitely keeping the recipe ready for easter next year as it would be great to fill with easter eggs .x
It sure would Jayne, enjoy making the cake and of course eating it.
wow this looks simply amazing
Wow, gorgeous! I’ve never used cream in a cake mix, I bet it’s lovely.
Wow that really looks amazing with the chocolate around the side ?
Thanks. It took ages to make but was delicious.