IS THIS THE MOST CHALLENGING XMAS CAKE EVER? YOUR GUESTS WILL LOVE IT!

Creating this delectable masterpiece is not for the faint-hearted, but the result is sure to leave your guests in awe! Introducing the remarkable Dasher Coffee Xmas Cake, artfully designed by Kirsten Tibballs for JURA Australia. This delightful creation combines a symphony of exquisite flavours with innovative coffee-infused elements. To crown this culinary marvel, Kirsten has meticulously fashioned gingerbread antlers, infusing a whimsical charm that perfectly captures the essence of Christmas. Enjoy!

Dasher Coffee Cake 

Ingredients:

260g unsalted butter, room temperature  

110g caster sugar  

150g brown sugar  

10g vanilla bean paste  

150g whole eggs  

320g plain flour, sieved  

4g ground cinnamon  

2g ground cardamon 

15g baking powder  

3g bicarbonate soda  

3g sea salt 

90g Greek yoghurt  

60g Almonds, roughly chopped 

Method:

1.Heat the oven to 160°C (320°F), fan forced. Grease 3 x 180mm rings/tins with oil. Place the butter, caster sugar, brown sugar and vanilla into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix until light and aerated. Meanwhile, roughly break up the eggs. While continuing to mix, gradually add the eggs to the butter mixture, ensuring it completely incorporates after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as required. Add the flour, cinnamon, cardamon, baking powder, bicarbonate powder and salt, then mix on low speed until combined. 

2. Add the yoghurt to the cake mixture and mix to incorporate. Divide evenly between the 3 prepared tins. Use the back of a spoon to spread the mixture. Scatter the top of the batter with chopped almonds, then bake in the pre-heated oven for about 28 minutes, until golden-brown in colour and the cake bounces back when gently pressed in the centre. Allow to cool slightly at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before removing from the tins and transferring to a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely at room temperature. 

Coffee Vanilla Soak 

50g icing sugar 

135ml coffee, Jura Cold Brew espresso (3x45mL) 

1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste 

1.Use the cold brew function on the Jura Coffee Machine to produce 3 x 45ml (135ml) of cold brew espresso.  

2. Mix in the icing sugar and vanilla bean paste 

3. Soak the sponges using a brush as it comes out of the oven 

Coffee Buttercream 

120g egg whites 

Pinch cream of tartar 

240g caster sugar 

90ml coffee, Jura Double Espresso (2x45mL) 

480g unsalted butter 

2tsp vanilla bean 

1.Use the Double Espresso function on the Jura Coffee Machine to produce 90ml of espresso.

2. Create an Italian meringue by placing the sugar and double espresso into a saucepan (mixture will bubble up) and stir until it starts to boil, wash the sides of the bowl down if needed with a brush and water if any undissolved crystals appear on the side.  

3. Start whisking the egg whites when the sugar mixture reaches 110°C at 115°C your egg whites should be at a soft peak. Cook the syrup to 116C and slowly add the boiling sugar syrup to the egg whites and continue mixing. 

4. Slowly added the chopped butter until it is all incorporated add vanilla. Store at room temperature for a few hours, if you place in the fridge it will need to be re-whipped. 

Vanilla custard 

210g milk 

2tsp vanilla bean paste 

42g sugar 

14g cornflour 

110g yolks 

72g Callebaut white chocolate  

85g unsalted butter 

1.Boil the milk with vanilla bean paste, mix the cornflour and sugar then add in the egg yolks. Pour the boiled milk onto the egg mixture and whisk together before placing back into the saucepan and whisking while it comes back to a boil.

2. Add in the white chocolate and whisk. Cool slightly and add the softened butter adding gradually while whisking by hand. This process can also be done in a mixer.

3. Once all the chocolate and butter is incorporated press plastic wrap onto the surface of the bowl.  Set in the fridge for 2 hours. 

GINGERBREAD ANTLERS

215g plain flour 

60g caster sugar 

7g gingerbread spice 

100g honey 

15g unsalted butter, softened 

3g bicarbonate of soda 

30g hot water 

plain flour, for dusting 

1.Add the flour, sugar, gingerbread spice, honey and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

2. Mix until you achieve a fine powder and there are no lumps of butter. Dissolve the bicarbonate of soda in the hot water and add it to the mixture. Continue to mix until all the ingredients are incorporated and it comes together as dough. Press the dough into a flat disc, 1cm thick and cover in plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.  

3. Remove the dough from the fridge and cut it in half. Lightly dust the bench surface with flour and roll until 6mm thin. Cut two antlers (make a stencil beforehand) and bake on a silicone baking mat at 180C FF oven for 11 minutes until golden brown.  

Assembly: 

1.Soak each layer of sponge with the coffee soak. 

2. Put the butter cream in a piping bag with a 18mm plain nozzle and the vanilla custard in a piping bag with a 15mm plain nozzle. 

3. Pipe a ring of buttercream around the edge of the first layer of sponge, followed by another ring of vanilla custard. 

4. Continue with a second round ring of buttercream and finish the centre with vanilla custard so there are four distinct rings/circle of filling. 

5. Place the second sponge on top of the filling and repeat the same process with the soak and the two fillings. 

6. Place the final sponge on top and soak with the syrup. Pipe more buttercream around the sides of the cake and on top.  Level off with a palate knife to coat the cake until all the edges are smooth. 

7. Place into the fridge to fully set. 

8. Decorate with the gingerbread antlers and Christmas decorations such as chocolate bells.