APRICOTS AND CREAM CHEESE CAKE

Apricots and Cream Cheese Cake image

This sweet apricot dessert is topped with decadent cream cheese frosting and is large enough to satisfy a crowd.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Dessert

Time 2h20m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 can (15.5 oz) apricot halves in heavy syrup, well drained
1 cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 3/4 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can (5.5 oz) apricot nectar (about 2/3 cup)
4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter, softened
5 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cup reserved apricot puree
5 soft, dried apricots
1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
2 lemon leaves or rose leaves

Steps:

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 3 (8- or 9-inch) round pans with shortening. Line pan bottoms with waxed paper or cooking parchment paper; grease again and lightly flour. In food processor bowl with metal blade, place canned apricots. Process 30 seconds or until smooth, scraping bowl after 15 seconds; set aside.
In large bowl, beat 1 cup butter and 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; beat on low speed until mixed. Measure 1/4 cup apricot puree; set aside. Add remaining apricot puree and apricot nectar to batter; beat on low speed until mixed. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Spread about 2 cups batter in each pan.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 40 minutes.
In large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 cup butter with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Add powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla and reserved puree. Beat on low speed until mixed. Beat on medium speed until creamy. Spoon about 1 1/2 cups frosting into decorating bag fitted with medium star tip.
Place one cake layer on cake plate, top side down. Spread about 3/4 cup frosting over top. With decorating bag, pipe a wavy ring of frosting around outside top edge of cake, extending slightly over edge. Top with second layer, top side down. Repeat frosting and piping. Top with third layer, top side up. Frost top with remaining frosting; pipe edge. (Side of cake is not frosted.)
For garnish, separate 2 dried apricots into 4 halves. With rolling pin, roll each apricot half between 2 pieces of plastic wrap to 1 1/2-inch diameter. Set aside. Roll remaining 3 apricots between plastic wrap to about 2-inch diameters. To form rose, roll one of the apricot halves into a tight roll (center of rose). Place remaining 3 apricot halves around roll to form petals, pinching at bottom to secure. Place larger apricot circles around smaller ones, pinching together at bottom to complete rose. Sprinkle lightly with 1/4 teaspoon sugar. Place in center of cake. Place lemon leaves next to rose. Store in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 600, Carbohydrate 83 g, Cholesterol 115 mg, Fat 5 1/2, Fiber 1 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 450 mg, Sugar 63 g, TransFat 1 g