WINTER SOLSTICE CAKE

Winter Solstice Cake image

Bring some rays of sunshine to your table with this Winter Solstice Cake. The dessert will brighten up any dreary winter's night. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h10m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 25

Ingredients

2 packages (16 ounces each) Betty Crocker pound cake mix
4 large eggs, room temperature
2/3 cup water
2/3 cup thawed lemonade concentrate
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
CANDY:
1 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons lemon extract
1/8 teaspoon yellow food coloring
LEMON FILLING:
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup lemon curd
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup lemon curd
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 cups confectioners' sugar
Yellow edible glitter

Steps:

In a large bowl, beat the cake mixes, eggs, water, lemonade concentrate, butter and lemon zest. Transfer to 3 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Meanwhile, line 3 greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans with parchment; set aside., In a large heavy saucepan, combine corn syrup and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook for 3 minutes to dissolve sugar crystals. Uncover and cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage)., Remove from the heat; stir in lemon extract and food coloring (keep face away from mixture as flavoring is very strong). Immediately pour into prepared pans forming small zigzag shapes. Let cool completely., For filling, beat cream in a small bowl until soft peaks form; set aside. In another bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, lemon curd and lemon peel. Fold in whipped cream., Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup filling. Repeat. Top with remaining cake layer. , For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, lemon curd, vanilla and salt until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Frost top and sides of cake. Break candy into shards; insert into frosting forming rays of sunlight. Sprinkle cake with edible glitter. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 888 calories, Fat 41g fat (20g saturated fat), Cholesterol 172mg cholesterol, Sodium 472mg sodium, Carbohydrate 126g carbohydrate (98g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 8g protein.