Best White Chocolate Buttercream Recipes

RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper liners.
• Mix together vanilla cake mix, 1 cup water, vegetable oil, and eggs in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until cake mix is moist. Raise mixer speed to medium and beat until batter is smooth, 2 minutes.
• Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling them about 2/3 full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cupcakes are very lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 23 minutes.
• Cool cupcakes in the pans for 5 minutes; transfer cupcakes to cooling rack to finish cooling.
• Place raspberries, 1 tablespoon water, and white sugar in a blender and pulse several times to chop raspberries; blend until pureed, about 30 seconds.
• Whisk cornstarch with 1/4 cup water until thoroughly combined; pour mixture into the raspberry mixture in the blender and blend again until smooth.
• Pour raspberry mixture into a saucepan and simmer over low heat until thickened, about 5 minutes. Let the raspberry filling cool.
• Cut a core out of each cupcake about 1 1/2 inches long and 1 inch in diameter.
• Spoon about 2 teaspoons raspberry filling into each cupcake.
• Place white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals until chips begin to melt, about 1 minute. Stir and repeat, heating chips about 10 seconds at a time, until thoroughly melted. Stir until chocolate is smooth and no more lumps remain.
• Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed in a mixing bowl until fluffy. Beat in half the confectioners' sugar, melted white chocolate chips, and milk until mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Slowly beat in remaining confectioners' sugar until smooth; if frosting is too stiff, beat in more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time.
• Spread or pipe the white chocolate frosting over the cupcakes to cover the raspberry filling; drizzle or pipe any remaining raspberry filling over cupcakes.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Beat confectioners' sugar and butter together in a large bowl using an electric mixer on low speed until fluffy. Add in white chocolate and whipping cream, adding more cream if needed to achieve desired consistency.
• Beat frosting on high speed, stopping the mixer and scraping the bowl using a spatula as needed, 3 to 4 minutes.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH RASPBERRY AND CHOCOLATE GANACHE FILLINGS AND BUTTERCREAM ICING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray.
• Whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pudding mix in a medium bowl. Set aside. Bring the milk to a boil and add the white chocolate chips. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes, then stir until completely incorporated. Allow the white chocolate mixture to cool completely. Beat the oil, eggs and white chocolate mixture in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fully incorporated, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and reduce the speed to low. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until combined, about 3 minutes.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out on wire racks to cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• For the raspberry filling: Combine the raspberries, sugar, lemon juice and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and slowly bring to a boil, stirring constantly until thickened. Let cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• For the chocolate ganache: Heat the heavy cream to boiling. Pour over the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Stir until completely smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature, about 45 minutes.
• For the buttercream: Beat the butter, shortening and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer until combined and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• To assemble the cake: Level both cakes by running a sharp knife around the top edge of each cake, scoring it, then carefully cutting through the cakes along the score lines. Fill a piping back fitted with a No.12 tip with buttercream icing. Pipe a dam around the inside of the bottom layer of cake. Inside the dam, spread a very thin layer of raspberry filling, about 3 tablespoons (for this filling, less is more). Then top with a more generous layer of chocolate ganache, about a quarter-inch thick. Stack the other cake layer on top and cover the whole cake with buttercream icing.

VANILLA BEAN BUTTERCREAM, VANILLA BEAN WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE AND VANILLA SYRUP FOR WEDDING CAKE

Steps:

• For the buttercream: Combine the sugar and egg whites in a double boiler and heat to 120 degrees F.
• Transfer the egg white mixture to a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Add the lemon juice and salt and beat on high speed until completely cooled, about 15 minutes. Add the butter piece by piece and whip until light fluffy, about 10 minutes. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a round tip and reserve the rest.
• For the vanilla bean white chocolate mousse: Whip the egg yolks on high speed in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until light and foamy, 3 to 4 minutes. Heat the sugar, vanilla bean paste and water to 120 degrees C in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add the sugar syrup to the whipping yolks and beat until cool, about 15 minutes. Once cooled, fold in the whipped cream.
• Melt the white chocolate over a double boiler until 110 degrees F., about 10 minutes. Add the melted chocolate to the egg and cream mixture and fold to combine. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a round tip and reserve the rest.
• For the vanilla syrup: Combine the vanilla bean paste, sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar is dissolved. Cool completely.
• To assemble the cake: Split the cake rounds in half to make 4 layers. Brush the top of each with 3 tablespoons of the vanilla syrup. Place 1 round on desired platter and pipe the buttercream around the top edge of the cake to create a dam. Fill the dam with a layer of the white chocolate mousse. Top with a second cake round and repeat piping and filling with the remaining layers, leaving the top undecorated. Place the stack in the freezer until firm, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Remove from the freezer and lightly frost the whole cake with some of the buttercream. Place the cake back in the freezer to firm up, another 30 minutes to 1 hour. Frost and decorate the cake as desired with the remaining buttercream and mousse.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust the pans with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk 3 cups flour, the baking powder and salt in a bowl until combined. Beat 2 sticks butter and the sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to medium; beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. (The mixture may look separated at this point.)
• Mix 1/2 cup water with the cream in a liquid measuring cup or bowl. Beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the cream mixture, beginning and ending with flour, until just smooth.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes are lightly golden on top and the centers spring back when pressed, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pans and turn the cakes out onto the racks to cool completely. Remove the parchment. Trim the tops of the cakes with a long serrated knife to make them level, if desired.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or use the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between, making sure chocolate is completed melted and not burning.
• Remove from heat, set aside; cool until lukewarm. Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth in a large bowl with a mixer set on medium speed.
• Add the melted chocolate, small amount at a time, making sure it does not seize on the side of the bowl, scrape and continue beating until well blended; add vanilla and lemon juice, mixing until incorporated.
• Add sugar and mix until frosting is light and fluffy (add extra confectioners' sugar if frosting is too soft. Store 2 weeks refrigerated.

CINNAMON SPICE CAKE WITH FIG BUTTERCREAM, WHITE CHOCOLATE GANACHE AND BUTTERMILK CARAMEL

Steps:

• For the cinnamon spice cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper and lightly butter.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter, shortening, brown sugar and granulated sugar together until smooth. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time until smooth and light. Stir together the buttermilk and vanilla in a separate small bowl. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and allspice in a large bowl. Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture in thirds to the mixer bowl, blending well after each addition.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool about 5 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely, about 10 minutes.
• For the fig buttercream: In a clean bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat until incorporated. Mix in the fig butter. Add the buttermilk if needed to thin to a spreading consistency.
• For the buttermilk caramel: Combine the granulated sugar, buttermilk, butter, corn syrup and baking soda in a LARGE pot. Do not use a saucepan; it may boil over. Bring the ingredients to a boil and reduce the heat to low but still bubbling. Cook, stirring very frequently, until golden brown, 8 to 9 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Let cool.
• For the white chocolate ganache: Put the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream in a saucepan until just simmering. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth and melted. Refrigerate until cooled completely, about 20 minutes. Transfer the ganache to a clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whip until smooth.
• To assemble the cake: Slice each cake layer in half horizontally. Place a layer on a plate or cake stand and cover with fig buttercream. Repeat with 2 more layers and the buttercream. Put the final cake layer on top, then frost the top and sides with the white chocolate ganache. Pour the buttermilk caramel over the top of the cake to drizzle down. Serve with more caramel sauce if desired.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PUDDING BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Whisk pudding with milk in a small bowl. Set aside in fridge or freezer until thick/solid; about 3 minutes; it's not very long.
• Meanwhile beat butter & shortening in a bowl with a hand mixer. Add vanilla & thickened pudding. Blend until combined.
• Add powdered sugar & blend again.
• Add milk, 1 Tbsp at a time until desired consistency is achieved. (I added about 3 to 4 Tablespoons.
• Fill pastry bag & pipe icing onto cupcakes or spread with a spatula onto a round cake.
• Makes about 2 1/2 to 3 cups frosting. **Use promptly after freshly being made. If prepared beforehand: thin with additional milk to a spreadable consistency. Keep refrigerated.

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.)

STRAWBERRY AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Generously spray bottom and side of 8- or 9-inch round cake pan with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, 3 tablespoons butter, the almond extract and egg with electric mixer on low speed until moistened, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.
• Bake as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch rounds. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, place white chocolate and 2 tablespoons butter in medium metal bowl. In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream over medium heat just to boiling. Immediately pour hot cream over white chocolate and butter. Let stand about 5 minutes or until mixture is melted and smooth when stirred. Let stand until room temperature, about 1 hour.
• Beat cooled white chocolate mixture on high speed until fluffy.
• Cut cake horizontally in half, using long, sharp knife. On serving plate, place 1 layer, cut side up. Spread with 1/2 of the filling; top with 1/2 of the strawberries. Add remaining cake layer, cut side down. Spread remaining filling over top of cake; top with remaining strawberries. Store covered in refrigerator.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Put some water in the bottom of a double boiler and make sure it won't touch the bottom of the upper part of the double boiler. Bring to a boil. Then break the white chocolate into the top of the double boiler and take it off the heat. Stir till melted. Put back on the heat IF the water has cooled too much, but be very careful because it can burn easily. It can take about ten minutes. Stir till smooth, then let cool. In mixing bowl beat the cream cheese till smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the cooled white chocolate till smoothly incorporated. Beat in the butter and lemon juice or vanilla. Use immediately or if you refrigerate it, bring it room temperature and beat it again to prepare it to use for frosting a cake. Don't heat it! This can hold up well and be used to decorate providing it doesn't get to warm. Adjust quantities to cover wedding cake depending on how large.

LAMB CAKE WITH WHITE-CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter both halves of an 8-cup lamb-shaped cake mold. Dust with flour; tap out excess.
• Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together into the bowl of an electric mixer. Add egg and yolk, 3/4 cup warm water, the buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Beat on low speed until smooth.
• Pour batter into halves of molds. Bake until a tester comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in molds on wire racks 30 minutes. Unmold; let cool completely.
• Trim flat side of each. Trim excess from edges. Cover flat side of 1 cake with jam. Turn halves upright; stick together.
• Spread a thin layer of pale-yellow buttercream over cake, sealing edges. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Spread with a second layer, smoothing around head.
• Cover with chocolate curls (exclude head). Put brown buttercream in a pastry bag fitted with a small plain round tip; pipe eyes and mouth. Refrigerate 30 minutes or up to 2 days.

RON'S CARROT CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9- by 2-inch round cake pans, attach a parchment circle to the bottom of each pan, grease and flour again.
• Mix well the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cayenne in a bowl. Toss in the walnuts and raisins to coat.
• Using a stand mixer, whisk the sugar, oil, vanilla and eggs for 3 minutes on medium speed. Add the carrots and mix well. Add the dry ingredients and mix for 1 minute on low speed to incorporate.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans. They will be about two-thirds full.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes.
• Allow the cake to cool for 10 to 15 minutes, and then remove the cake from the pans onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before applying the frosting.
• To frost the cake, take the cooled cakes and carefully slice each one horizontally with a serrated knife to create 4 layers of cake. Place a small dollop of the Ron's White Chocolate Buttercream in the center of the serving platter; this will help affix your cake to the platter. Then, put the first layer of cake on the platter. Apply a generous amount of buttercream to the top center of the cake. Using a flat spatula, spread the buttercream, starting at the center and moving outward to the sides of the cake. It's important to use enough buttercream and to let the spatula only touch the top of it, so you don't pick up any crumbs from the cake.
• Next, fit the second layer on top and repeat. Then, refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes to harden the fillings/buttercream.
• Repeat with the third layer and refrigerate for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
• Lastly, add the fourth layer and apply buttercream until evenly distributed on both the top and sides of the cake.
• This makes a very tall cake. To serve, cut into strips the length of the cake and 2 inches wide and 1-inch thick rectangular cake slices.
• Place the sugar and egg whites in large metal mixer bowl set over simmering water. Whisk constantly until the sugar melts and the mixture is very thin and warm.
• Remove the bowl from the heat and whisk on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.
• Continue beating on low speed until cool, about 15 more minutes.
• Beat in small pieces of the cool but soft butter on low speed. The mixture may curdle before coming together. Gradually beat in the melted and cooled white chocolate.
• Re-beat occasionally while frosting the cake to maintain a smooth texture.

WHITE-CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring. Remove from heat, and keep warm.
• Put egg whites and sugar into the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk until sugar has dissolved and mixture reaches 110 degrees. Attach bowl to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until fluffy and completely cool.
• Switch to the paddle attachment. On medium-low speed, add butter, 2 pieces at a time, beating until combined after each addition. Beat in chocolate. Raise speed to high, and beat until smooth, about 5 minutes. Beat on low speed to eliminate air bubbles. Buttercream can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days or frozen up to 1 month; bring to room temperature, and beat on low speed until smooth.

RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH LEMON BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• For cake:.
• Heat oven to 350. Generously grease and flour 2 9" round cake pans.
• Melt the white chocolate in a small glass bowl in the microwave for 1 minute. (It will probably hold most of its shape even though it is starting to melt). Remove from the microwave and stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula until smooth. Let cool for approximately 5 minutes.
• Place the cake mix, water, oil, eggs, egg whites, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Add the slightly cooled melted chocolate. Mix with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stop your mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Using a medium speed, mix again for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Divide the batter between your prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a rubber spatula, then place the pans in the oven on the center rack, side by side.
• Set the timer for 28 minutes and then check for doneness. The layers should be golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed with your finger. It may take up to 4 minutes longer in the oven, but don't overcook.
• Remove from the oven and place on wire racks to cool for 10 minutes.
• Run a knife around the edge of each layer and invert onto a rack, then invert on another rack so that each layer is right side up. Allow to cool for at least 30 more minutes.
• For frosting:.
• Place the butter and 1 cup of the powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl. With an electric mixer, beat on low speed for 30 seconds.
• Add the remaining powdered sugar alternately with the milk and lemon juice (1 cup of sugar, then 1 T liquid at a time), blending with the mixer after each addition. Add the lemon zest. If the frosting seems very stiff, add up to 1 more tablespoon milk. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, approx 1 minute.
• To assemble:.
• Place the raspberry preserves in a small bowl and stir until it is smooth and no lumps are present.
• Using a long serrated knife, carefully split the first cake layer horizontally into halves, creating 2 layers. Place the bottom half on a cake plate, cut side up. Spread ¼ cup of the raspberry preserves on it. Place the top half of the layer, cut side down, on top of the first half. Again, spread with ¼ cup of the preserves.
• Split the 2nd layer in the same way you did the first. Place the bottom half on top of your partially assembled cake, cut side up, and top with the remaining ¼ cup of preserves. Then top with the top half, cut side down.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake with the lemon buttercream frosting.
• If you are garnishing the cake with fresh raspberries, wait until right before you serve it. Otherwise juice from the raspberries will start to spread into the frosting. It won't ruin it, but it won't look very pretty after a while.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

MIXED-BERRY AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Position 1 rack in center and 1 rack in lowest third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter and flour two 12-inch- diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Whisk flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, baking powder and salt in very large (6- to 8-quart) bowl to blend well. Add 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water; using electric mixer, beat until smooth (batter will be thick). Beat in oil, then egg yolks and vanilla.
• Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites and powdered sugar in large bowl until whites are very thick and billowy and form medium-firm peaks when beaters are lifted, about 12 minutes (do not underbeat). Fold whites into yolk mixture in 3 additions. Divide cake batter equally between prepared pans.
• Place one pan on each rack in oven, staggering pans so that one is not directly above the other. Bake cakes 25 minutes. Reverse position of pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 10 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes. Line 2 cooling racks with kitchen towels. Cut around cakes to loosen; turn out onto towels. Cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap in foil; store at room temperature.)
• Buttercream
• Makes about 8 cups.
• 8 ounces good-quality white chocolate (such as Lindt or Baker's), chopped
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup egg whites (about 8)
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons grated orange peel
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Stir white chocolate and cream in heavy small saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Cool to room temperature. Using electric mixer, beat butter in medium bowl until fluffy; set aside.
• Combine whites and sugar in large metal bowl. Set bowl over large saucepan of simmering water (do not let bottom of bowl touch water). Whisk until sugar dissolves and thermometer inserted into whites registers 160°F, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Using clean dry beaters, beat meringue until cool, stiff and shiny, about 10 minutes.
• Beat butter, about 1/4 cup at a time, into meringue, blending well after each addition. If frosting looks curdled, place bowl over very low heat for 3 to 5 seconds to soften slightly. Remove from heat and beat until smooth. Repeat warming technique as necessary. Gradually beat in cooled white chocolate mixture, then orange peel and vanilla extract. Chill buttercream until beginning to firm, about 30 minutes.
• assembly
• 1 cup seedless raspberry jam
• 6 cups (about) assorted fresh berries (raspberries; blueberries; blackberries, halved if large; and sliced strawberries)
• Cut each cake in half horizontally. Place 1 layer on 11-inch-diameter tart pan bottom or cardboard round. Spread with 1/2 cup jam, then 1 1/4 cups buttercream. Arrange half of berries atop buttercream, spacing about 1/2 inch apart. Press second cake layer atop berries. Repeat layering of jam, buttercream and remaining berries. Top with third cake layer (reserve remaining cake layer for another use).
• Spread 2 cups buttercream in thin layer over top and sides of assembled cake to anchor crumbs and smooth surface. Refrigerate cake on its base until crumb coat is firm, about 30 minutes.
• Spread 2 1/4 cups buttercream over top and sides of cake. Spoon remaining buttercream into pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe decorative border around top edge of cake. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate.)
• final decoration
• 4 cups (about) assorted fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries)
• 1/2 cup currant jelly
• Place cake with its base on platter. Fill top center of cake with berries. Melt jelly in heavy small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Using pastry brush, brush warm jelly over tops of most berries. Let cake stand at room temperature at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.
• Using long knife, cut cake into quarters. Cut each quarter into 6 wedges.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the butter and confectioners sugar at low speed until fluffy.
• Add in melted and cooled white chocolate and whipping cream (start with 3 tablespoons and add in more to achieve desired consistency).
• Beat on high speed for 3-4 minutes, scraping the bowl with a spatula.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH SALTED CARAMEL AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat a convection oven to 350 degrees F. Whisk the vinegar into the milk in a medium bowl and set it aside to curdle for 5 minutes.
• Add the granulated sugar, oil and vanilla to the milk mixture and beat by hand with a whisk until foamy.
• Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in 2 batches, beating with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until no lumps.
• Grease three 6-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Divide the batter among them and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, about 20 minutes
• Let cool slightly, then remove the cakes from the pans. Cool the cakes in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Soak the cake rounds with Coffee Simple Syrup by brushing about 1/3 cup onto each layer as you build the cake. To build: Spread the White Chocolate Buttercream on one soaked cake round, then add a heavy drizzle of Caramel Sauce. Add a second layer and repeat. Add the last layer and frost the whole cake with White Chocolate Buttercream.
• Add the sugar to a small saucepan fitted with a lid. Pour in the coffee and stir. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar completely dissolves. Turn off the heat. Cover immediately and let cool for 15 minutes.
• Put the white chocolate chips in a metal bowl. Bring the granulated sugar and 3 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce the heat. Mix the cornstarch with 1 cup of water in a small bowl to combine. Stir it into the sugar mixture. Bring to a boil. Pour the sugar mixture over the white chocolate. Stir by hand with a whisk to combine. As mixture cools, stir 2 more times over the next 40 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the butter and vanilla and mix until light and fluffy.
• Combine the light brown sugar, butter, evaporated milk, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until thickened.

PART I: BACARDI PINEAPPLE CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE AND CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• To prepare cake: Mix flour, graham crumbs, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Cream sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl, beating until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add half of the flour mixture then half of the milk and rum. Add vanilla. Mix until blended; add remaining flour, milk and rum, and beat until smooth. The batter will be thick. Spread batter in two greased and floured 8-inch layer cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly touched near center. For the pineapple rum syrup: In a 1-cup measuring cup, combine rum, hazelnut or vanilla syrup and reserved pineapple juice (from the crushed pineapple used in the pineapple filling). Set aside. For the pineapple filling: In a small saucepan, over medium to medium-low heat, combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon butter and 1 1/2 cups drained crushed pineapple (reserving juice for rum syrup), dash salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick and clear. Cool before using. For instructions for caramel sauce, buttercream frosting base and cake assembly, see PART II.

PISTACHIO CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• PREPARE PISTACHIO CAKE:.
• Preheat oven to 350º F & grease and lightly flour three 8x1-1/2-inch round baking pans; set aside.
• Stir together flour, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.
• Beat the 3/4 cup butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
• Add the 2 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon almond extract; beat until fluffy.
• Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk or sour milk, beating on low to medium speed just until combined.
• Thoroughly wash and dry beaters.
• In a medium mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight).
• Gently fold beaten egg whites into batte;.fold in the pistachio nuts and the orange peel.
• Pour batter into prepared pans.
• Bake in preheated oven 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center of each cake comes out clean.
• Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes.
• Remove cakes from pans and cool thoroughly on wire racks.
• PREPARE BUTTERCREAM:.
• Combine the 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour in a medium mixing bowl; add egg yolks.
• Beat mixture with a wire whisk until combined; set aside.
• Heat the 1-1/2 cups milk in a heavy saucepan over medium heat just to boiling;.remove from heat.
• Gradually beat hot milk into egg mixture with the wire whisk; return entire mixture to saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat until bubbly, whisking constantly; cook 2 minutes more & remove from heat.
• Add white baking bars, 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.
• Let stand for 1 minute; stir until smooth & transfer mixture to a bowl.
• Cover surface with plastic wrap to prevent skin from forming; cool to room temperature.
• Beat the 1 cup butter in a medium mixing bowl on medium to high speed until fluffy.
• Add cooled baking bar mixture, one-fourth at a time, beating on low speed after each addition until combined.
• Spread between layers and over cake.
• If desired, pipe decorative lines along the edges and down the sides of the cake, using a decorating bag fitted with a star tip.
• Serve immediately or cover and store cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Just before serving, if desired, top with Caramelized Pistachio Shards.
• PREPARE CARAMELIZED PISTACHIO SHARDS::.
• Preheat oven to 350ºF & line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil; coat foil with nonstick cooking spray.
• Sprinkle 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios onto prepared foil.
• Bake in preheated oven 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly toasted.
• Meanwhile, place 1/3 cup sugar in a heavy 10-inch skille & heat over medium-high heat until sugar begins to melt, shaking skillet occasionally to heat sugar evenly.
• Do not stir.
• When sugar begins to melt, reduce heat to low.
• Cook for 2 minutes more or until sugar is melted and lightly golden, stirring as needed with a wooden spoon.
• Remove pan from heat.
• Stir in 1/2 teaspoon hot water.
• Immediately pour over nuts on hot baking sheet; let cool for 1 minute.
• Using two forks, gently pull caramel mixture as thinly as possible, lifting slightly as you pull.
• Let cool thoroughly on foil.
• Break into pieces; store tightly covered.
• Enjoy!

STRAWBERRY-WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Thaw the strawberries, either by setting them out for several hours or microwaving on the defrost setting until no longer cool to the touch.
• Puree the strawberries in a food processor or blender. If the mixture is still cold, defrost in the microwave until no longer cool to the touch.
• Break the chocolate into squares and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the oil and microwave, stopping and stirring every 15 seconds, until the chocolate is completely melted. Do not allow the mixture to exceed 160°F A double boiler may be used to melt the chocolate mixture if you prefer.
• Add 1/2 cup strawberry puree to the melted chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Microwave briefly if necessary until mixture is smooth.
• Fill a large bowl with ice cubes and water. Set the bowl with the melted mixture directly in the ice water. Be careful not to get any water into the bowl. Stir constantly with a spoon or whisk until the mixture becomes thick and holds stiff peaks. Immediately remove from the ice water.
• Allow the buttercream to sit for several minutes. If it has become solid, it is too cold and will need to rest until it has returned to room temperature.
• Beat the buttercream until thick and airy.