ALMOND JOY LAYER CAKE

Almond Joy Layer Cake image

This is an absolutely fabulous recipe in both the taste and looks department. It was straight forward to follow and came from Rachael Ray's magazine "Everyday". If you like chocolate, coconut and almonds you will love this cake. It is very moist and flavourful! The only thing I changed was that I used semisweet chocolate chips instead of a chopped chocolate bar.

Provided by hannahvankirk

Categories Dessert

Time 1h25m

Yield 1 cake, 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Ingredients

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus a big pinch
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 (14 ounce) bag sweetened flaked coconut (4 packed cups)
2 cups sliced almonds
3 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 325. Butter two 8-inch-by-2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment and butter the parchment.
In a medium saucepan, bring 2/3 cup water to a boil. Whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth. Whist in the butter and chocolate over low heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla and ½ teaspoons salt. Whisk in 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition.
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Pour in the chocolate mixture until smooth. Stir in 1 packed cup coconut. Divide the batter between the pans and bake in the lower third of the oven for 35 minutes or until firm in the center. Let cool in the pans on racks for 10 minutes, then invert onto racks to cool completely.
While the cake cools, spread the almonds on a rimmed baking sheet and toast for 12 minutes; let cool.
In a saucepan, combine ¾ cup cream, the remaining ¾ cup granulated sugar and pinch salt and simmer, stirring, over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla and 3 packed cups coconut. When cool, fold in the 1 ½ cups almonds.
Split the cake layers to make 4 layers. Place 1 layer cut side up on a cake stand and spread with 1 cup of the coconut-almond mixture. Top with the second layer cut side down and spread with 1 cup more of the mixture. Repeat with the remaining 2 cake layers and filling, spreading the filling on the top. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to firm up.
Whip the remaining 2 ¼ cups cream with the confectioners' sugar until stiff. Spread over the cake. Sprinkle the top and or sides with the remaining almonds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 811.4, Fat 54.8, SaturatedFat 32.7, Cholesterol 148.3, Sodium 379, Carbohydrate 78.8, Fiber 6.6, Sugar 56, Protein 10.6