Best Apricot Layer Cake Recipes

APRICOT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on high for 2 minutes. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. , Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, in a small heavy saucepan, cook butter over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Pour into a large bowl; beat in confectioners' sugar and orange juice. , Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with half of the apricot preserves. Top with a second layer; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with a third layer; spread with remaining apricot preserves. Top with the remaining layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting., Sprinkle with nuts. Store in the refrigerator.

APRICOT ALMOND LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Make macaroon layers:
• Trace 2 (8-inch) circles on 1 sheet of parchment paper and a third circle on second sheet. Turn sheets over and put on 2 baking sheets.
• Pulse almonds with 1 1/3 cups confectioners sugar in a food processor until very finely ground (mixture will resemble sand), 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and sift in remaining 2 cups confectioners sugar, then stir until combined well.
• Beat egg whites with salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until they just hold soft peaks. Add granulated sugar a little at a time, beating, then increase speed to high and continue to beat until whites hold stiff, glossy peaks, about 3 minutes.
• Stir whites into almond mixture until completely incorporated (batter will be thick), then divide batter evenly among traced circles on baking sheets (about 1 2/3 cups per circle), smoothing into 1/2-inch-thick rounds.Let rounds stand, uncovered, at room temperature until tops are no longer sticky and a light crust forms, about 30 minutes.
• Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 300°F. Bake macaroon layers, switching position of baking sheets halfway through cooking, until macaroons are crisp and edges are just barely pale golden, about 25 minutes. Turn off oven and let macaroons stand in oven 10 minutes. Cool completely on baking sheets on racks, about 1 hour.
• Make compote while macaroon layers bake:
• Simmer dried apricots in water in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan, uncovered, over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until apricots are very soft and most of liquid is evaporated, about 15 minutes. Stir in preserves, then cool completely.
• Make praline almonds:
• Heat almonds in a 12-inch dry heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until almonds are hot but not yet colored, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners sugar and continue cooking, stirring and tossing, until almonds are lightly toasted and sugar glaze is caramelized, about 3 minutes. Immediately transfer almonds to a large sheet of foil and spread into 1 layer with a fork. Cool completely.
• Make mascarpone cream:
• Just before serving, beat together mascarpone, heavy cream, and Amaretto with cleaned beaters at medium speed until thick and smooth, about 2 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup praline almonds, then fold remainder into cream.
• Put 1 macaroon layer on a platter and spread with one third of compote (about 1/2 cup), then spread one fourth of mascarpone cream (about 3/4 cup) on top. Make another layer with second macaroon in same manner. Top with remaining macaroon, remaining compote, and remaining cream (1 1/2 cups), then sprinkle with reserved praline almonds.

HEAVENLY ALMOND-APRICOT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 2 (8-inch) round pans with shortening; lightly flour. In large bowl, combine all cake ingredients. Beat with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Spread batter in pans.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Wrap each cake layer in plastic wrap; freeze 15 minutes or refrigerate 30 minutes. With long, sharp serrated knife, cut each cake layer horizontally into 2 layers.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat powdered sugar, 2/3 cup butter and 1/4 cup milk with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat in vanilla, almond extract and enough additional milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable.
• In small bowl, stir preserves until softened. Cut up any large pieces of fruit. On serving plate, place 1 cake layer, cut side up. Frost with 3/4 cup frosting; spread 1/3 cup preserves to within 1/4 inch of edge. Repeat with second and third cake layers, frosting and preserves. Top with remaining cake layer, cut side down; frost top and side with remaining frosting. Press sliced almonds generously onto side of cake.

WHITE CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH APRICOT FILLING AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Butter two 9-inch parchment paper rounds and place in pans, buttered side up. Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler set over barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Leave white chocolate in pot; turn off heat. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk in 3 additions, blending well after each addition. Add warm white chocolate and beat just until blended.
• Divide batter equally between pans, smoothing tops with spatula. Bake cakes until tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 20 minutes (cakes will fall). Run small sharp knife around cake pan sides. Turn cakes out onto cardboard round or tart pan bottom; peel off parchment. Turn cakes right side up onto racks and cool completely.
• For buttercream:
• Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler over barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove white chocolate from over water. Let stand until cool but not set, about 20 minutes. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in white chocolate and vanilla, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in powdered sugar. Cover and refrigerate until thick enough to spread, about 45 minutes (frosting will be very soft).
• For assembly:
• Boil 1/2 cup water and sugar in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cool syrup.
• Using serrated knife, cut each cake layer horizontally in half. Place 1 layer, cut side up, on 9-inch cardboard cake round or removable bottom of 9-inch tart pan and brush with 2 tablespoons sugar syrup. Spread 6 tablespoons buttercream over cake. Cover buttercream with single layer of sliced apricots. Spread 3 tablespoons buttercream over apricots; top with second cake layer, cut side up. Brush with 2 tablespoons sugar syrup, 6 tablespoons buttercream, apricots, and 3 tablespoons buttercream. Top with third cake layer, cut side up. Brush with 2 tablespoons syrup. Spread 6 tablespoons buttercream over cake; cover with apricots. Spread 3 tablespoons buttercream over apricots. Top with fourth layer, cut side down. Spread 1 cup buttercream over top and sides of cake (layer will be thin). Chill 1 hour. Spread remaining buttercream over top and sides of cake. Press chopped walnuts onto sides of cake. Cover top with remaining sliced apricots. Brush apricots with apricot preserves. Chill cake 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and keep chilled. Let stand 3 hours at room temperature before serving.)

GOLDEN PUMPKIN AND APRICOT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• For Cake:
• Preheat oven to 350° F. Butter three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Dust pans with flour. Sift first 6 ingredients into medium bowl. Blend Apricot Puree, pumpkin and buttermilk in small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with pumpkin mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Smooth tops. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes (cakes will not rise to tops of pans).
• For Frosting:
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in medium bowl until fluffy. Add Apricot Puree, pumpkin and spices and beat until blended. Cut around pan sides to loosen cakes. Turn out cakes. Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 1 cup frosting over. Top with second cake layer. Spread 1 cup frosting over. Top with third cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over sides and top of cake. Garnish with dried apricot cutouts, if desired. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.)

ORANGE-APRICOT LAYER CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• FOR APRICOT PUREE: Combine dried apricots and orange juice in small saucepan. Bring to boil. Cover tightly and simmer over low heat until apricots are very tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer mixture to processor. Add sugar and puree until smooth. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Transfer to bowl; cover and chill.) FOR CAKE: Position rack in bottom third of oven. Preheat oven to 325°F. Using electric mixer, beat ½ cup sugar, egg yolks, oil, orange peel and 1/3 cup apricot puree in large bowl until mixture is very thick, about 5 minutes. Beat in matzo cake meal and potato starch. Using clean dry beaters, beat whites and salt in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add ½ cup sugar, beating until whites are stiff but not dry. Fold large spoonful of whites into yolk mixture. Gently fold in remaining whites in 3 additions. Transfer batter to ungreased 10-inch diameter springform pan. Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 42 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack (cake will sink slightly). FOR FROSTING: Meanwhile, stir chocolate and margarine in saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Whisk in 3 Tbsp apricot puree. Remove from heat. Let stand until thickened but still spreadable, about 2 hours. Cut around cake sides; remove pan rim. Cut cake horizontally in half to form 2 layers, leaving bottom layer on pan bottom. Place top layer, cut side up, on plate. Spread bottom layer with 2/3 cup apricot puree. Spread ½ cup chocolate frosting on cut side of top layer. Place top layer, chocolate side down, on apricot filling. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Chill until frosting sets, at least 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature before serving.) Garnish with apricots and orange peel, if desired.

CHOCOLATE APRICOT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• HEAT oven to 325 degrees.
• Coat two 8 inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray.
• Line bottoms of pans with waxed paper, coat paper with spray.
• CAKE LAYERS: Prepare cake mix following package directions, using egg,water and oil.
• Add in chopped apricots and chopped almonds.
• Divide batter evenly between the 2 pans.
• Bake in 325 degrees, about 45 minutes.
• Let cool in pans for 15 minutes.
• Then turn out layers onto rack, carefully removing waxed paper.
• Let cool completely.
• FROSTING: In small saucepan heat heavy cream over medium- high heat until simmering.
• Place chopped chocolate in medium-size bowl.
• POUR heavy cream over the chocolate and stir it.
• Put in refrigator for at least 45 minutes.
• FILLING AND GARNISH: Place 1 cake layer on dish.
• Spread top layer with apricot preserves.
• Place 2nd cake layer on top of it.
• Frost sides and on top with frosting.
• Put sliced almonds on sides of cake.
• Refrigerate for at least 35 minutes.

PASSOVER ORANGE-APRICOT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• APRICOT PUREE: Combine dried apricots and orange juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover tightly and simmer over low heat until apricots are very tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer mixture to a food processor. Add sugar and puree until smooth. Can be prepared up to 3 days ahead. CAKE: Position rack in bottom third of oven. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Using electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, oil, orange peel and 1/3 cup apricot puree in large bowl until mixture is very thick, about 5 minutes. Beat in matzo cake meal and potato starch. Using clean dry beaters, beat whites and salt in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, beating until whites are stiff but not dry. Fold large spoonful of whites into yolk mixture. Gently fold in remaining whites in 3 additions. Transfer batter to ungreased 10-inch diameter springform pan. Bake cake until tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 43 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack (cake will sink slightly). FOR FROSTING: Meanwhile, stir chocolate and margarine in saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Whisk in 3 tablespoons apricot puree. Remove from heat. Let stand until thickened but still spreadable, about 2 hours. Cut around cake sides; remove pan rim. Cut cake horizontally in half to form two layers, leaving bottom layer on pan bottom. Place top layer, cut side up, on plate. Spread bottom layer with 1 cup apricot puree. Spread 3/4 cup chocolate frosting on cut side of top layer. Place top layer, chocolate side down, on apricot filling. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Chill until frosting sets, at least one hour. Can be made one day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature before serving (this is critical).