Best White Chocolate Frosting Recipes

CRANBERRY CUPCAKES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 12-cup cupcake pan with liners.
• Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
• Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in orange zest and vanilla extract. Add in 1/2 the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Add buttermilk and heavy cream, mixing until just combined. Mix in remaining flour mixture until just combined. Batter will be thick.
• Fold 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into the batter until incorporated. Fold in remaining egg whites until no streaks of egg white remain. Fold in chopped cranberries. Spoon batter evenly into each prepared cupcake liner, filling each liner about 7/8 full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cupcakes spring back lightly when touched, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes in the pan before removing to a wire rack to cool completely, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting. Beat butter in a bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until completely smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Add powdered sugar and salt, and beat until smooth and well combined, another 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in melted white chocolate and beat until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in heavy cream, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat until frosting is smooth, light, and fluffy, 2 to 3 more minutes.
• Frost the cooled cupcakes with the frosting.

KEY LIME COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla extract, key lime zest and juice and mix well. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 5 parts total, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold the coconut into the cupcake batter.
• Line a muffin pan with paper liners and fill each liner almost to the top with batter. A spring loaded 1/4 cup ice cream scoop works great for this and ensures the cupcakes are all the same size. Bake for 25 minutes or until the tops begin to brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then transfer cupcakes to a baking rack to cool completely.
• While the cupcakes are cooling you can make the frosting. In a small heat proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, carefully and slowly melt the white chocolate. Remove from heat and let cool until just slightly warm. Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until well combined. Add the salt, vanilla extract, key lime juice, and sour cream and mix until very smooth. Add the melted white chocolate and mix just until incorporated.
• Frost the cupcakes and garnish with a bit of grated key lime zest. Enjoy!
• A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.

COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Line a regular sized muffin tin with cupcake papers.
• Sift flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.
• In a measuring cup combine egg whites, coconut milk and extracts.
• Cream together sugar and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed.
• Blend until butter lightens in color and texture, 4 minutes.
• Alternately add dry and wet ingredients, starting and ending with dry, in 3 additions.
• Fold in coconut using a rubber spatula.
• Scoop batter into prepared tin, filling each about 3/4 full.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 25-30 minutes.
• Cool in the pan 5 minutes; remove completely.
• For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer until smooth.
• Add melted white chocolate and lime juice; beat to blend.
• Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth (it will be gooey).
• Spread 3 Tbsp frosting on each cupcake.
• Top cupcakes with coconut.

SILVER WHITE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour bottom and sides of rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches, 2 round pans, 9x1 1/2 inches, or 3 round pans, 8x1 1/2 inches.
• Beat all ingredients except egg whites and Chocolate Buttercream Frosting in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Beat in egg whites on high speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan(s).
• Bake rectangle 40 to 45 minutes, 9-inch rounds 30 to 35 minutes, 8-inch rounds 23 to 28 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool rectangle in pan on wire rack. Cool rounds 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely.
• Frost rectangle or fill and frost layers with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.

COCONUT CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour. Reserve 1/3 cup coconut milk for frosting.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, remaining coconut milk (1 1/3 cups), the water and egg whites with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in 1/2 cup of the coconut until well combined. Pour into pan.
• Bake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool completely; about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart bowl, microwave vanilla baking chips uncovered on High about 30 seconds or until melted. Stir; if chips are not completely melted, microwave 15 seconds longer, then stir until all chips are melted. Stir in powdered sugar, butter, reserved 1/3 cup coconut milk and the vanilla. Cover; refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes. (If frosting becomes too firm to spread, microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 seconds to soften; stir until smooth.)
• Spread frosting over cake. Immediately sprinkle top with 1/4 cup coconut. Store loosely covered.

CARROT CAKE WITH WHITE-CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Cake:Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush two 8-inch round cake panswith butter. Line pans with parchment rounds; brush parchment
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg until thoroughly combined, 30 seconds. Beat eggs with granulated sugar on medium-high speed until pale, fluffy, and doubled in volume, about 5 minutes. While still beating, slowly drizzle in butter, then beat in vanilla until combined. Reduce speed to low and add all but 1/2 cup of flour mixture, beating just until combined. Toss carrots with remaining flour mixture to evenly coat, then fold into batter. Divide batter evenly between pans; smooth tops with an offset spatula.
• Bake until cakes are puffed slightly and a tester inserted into centers comes out clean, 33 to 37 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack; let cool 10 minutes. Turn cakes out onto rack; remove parchment and let cool completely.
• Frosting:Meanwhile, beat cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. While still beating, gradually add chocolate until smooth, scraping down bowl as needed. Add butter and lemon juice; beat to combine. Reduce speed to low; beat in confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, until smooth and combined.
• Cut each cake horizontally into 2 layers with a serrated knife. Place bottom layer of one cake, cut-side up, on a cake stand, preferably revolving, or a plate lined with parchment strips. Spread evenly with 3/4cup frosting. Top with other half of cake, cut-side down; spread evenly with another 3/4 cup frosting. Repeat layering and frosting with second cake. Spread 1 cup frosting evenly over top and sides to create a crumb coat. Refrigerate, uncovered, until frosting is firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Transfer remaining frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a petal tip, such as Ateco or Wilton #104. Starting at top center of cake and holding tip vertically, pipe frosting while slowly turning stand or plate, gradually working outward toward edges to create a swirl effect. Repeat process down side of cake, starting at top edge. (Sides will be easier to decorate if you keep large end of tip touching or almost touching cake, holding pointed tip perpendicular to cake while tracing down side.) If frosting starts to get too loose, refrigerate briefly just until firm, but not long enough to harden. Cake can be stored, uncovered, at room temperature up to 12 hours or refrigerated, uncovered, up to 2 days; bring to room temperature before serving.

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.

ALMOND LAYER CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust with flour, tapping out the excess. Pulse 2 cups flour, the baking powder, salt and almonds in a food processor until the nuts are finely ground into a powder, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk the egg whites, milk, and vanilla and almond extracts in a medium bowl until combined.
• Beat 1 stick butter and the granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour, until just combined.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool in the pans. (The cakes can be frozen, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 2 weeks. Unwrap and thaw at room temperature.)
• Make the frosting: Microwave the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring, until melted; set aside. Beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 4 minutes. Gently fold in the melted white chocolate with a rubber spatula. (The frosting can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 2 days. Beat with a mixer to soften just before frosting the cake.)
• Assemble the cake: Loosen the edges of the cakes with a knife, then invert 1 layer onto a platter and peel off the parchment. Spread 1 to 1 1/2 cups frosting on top. Remove the other layer from the pan, peel off the parchment and carefully place on top of the first layer. Cover the top and sides of the cake with a thin layer of frosting (this is the "crumb coat"; it doesn't have to be perfect). Chill 15 minutes, then cover with the remaining frosting and decorate with nonpareils.

CARROT CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• FOR THE CAKE: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F & line the bottom of three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper, leaving the sides of the pan dry.
• In a large mixing bowl & with a hand mixer, beat together eggs & oil, mixing well. Add 1 cup of the sugar & continue mixing for 2 minutes, then add the remaining sugar & mix for 3 to 4 minutes.
• In another container, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves & nutmeg, then add this to the egg mixture, beating on low speed until blended, about 1 minute.
• Add carrots, walnuts & pineapple, mixing until well combined.
• Divide batter among the prepared pans & bake 60 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• On a wire rack cool to room temperature, then run a knife around the edge of the cakes & remove them from the pans, before wrapping in plastic wrap & refrigerating them overnight.
• FOR THE FROSTING: Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl & beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add melted chocolate a little at a time, continuing to beat at medium speed.
• Add butter a little at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl, then add the zest & beat until combined.
• Remove cakes from the refrigerator, then ice the top of one layer, place the 2nd layer on top of that & ice the top of that layer. Place the 3rd layer on top & ice the top & sides of the cake.
• Press chopped walnuts into the sides of the cake & ENJOY!

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.

BANANA LAYER CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE-CREAM CHEESE FROSTING AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 11/2-inch-high sides. Combine banana muffin mix, mashed ripe bananas, eggs, vegetable oil, and whole milk in large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat mixture at medium speed until well blended, about 2 minutes. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture is stiff but not dry. Fold egg whites into batter in 2 additions. Divide cake batter between prepared pans. Bake cake batter until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks and cool completely.
• For frosting:
• Stir chopped white chocolate in top of double boiler over barely simmering water until almost melted. Remove from over water; stir white chocolate until smooth. Cool to lukewarm, about 4 minutes. Beat cream cheese and unsalted butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually beat in lukewarm white chocolate, then powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread with 1 1/3 cups white chocolate-cream cheese frosting. Thinly slice 2 bananas. Arrange banana slices over frosting. Top with second cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Press toasted chopped walnuts into frosting on sides of cake. Refrigerate cake until frosting is set, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
• Slice remaining banana; arrange slices atop cake and serve.

WHITE CHOCOLATE MOCHA FROSTING

Steps:

• Mix the instant coffee with the milk, and let it stand until coffee is dissolved.
• Melt the butter and chocolate together, and beat until smooth, then add vanilla.
• Beat in 1 cup of confectioners sugar. Add half the milk mixture, then 1 cup confectioners sugar, then the other half of the milk, then 1 cup confectioners sugar.

COCONUT CUPCAKES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• To Make the Cake
• 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. and set oven rack in the middle position. Lightly coat the surface of a twelve-cup cupcake pan with a nonstick spray and line each cup with a foil or paper liner.
• 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut cream, egg whites, and vanilla extract to combine. In another bowl, or over parchment paper, sift together the flour and baking powder.
• 3. Beat the butter and salt together in an electric mixer fitted with a whisk until creamy and smooth and while continuing to beat add sugar in a steady stream. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
• 4. Add one-third of the dry ingredients along with one-third of the coconut cream mixture and beat on low speed until just combined. Add the remaining dry ingredients and coconut cream mixture in two alternating batches, beating between each addition to fully incorporate. Add the dried, ground coconut and sweetened dried coconut with the last addition of dry ingredients. Scrape down the bowl and give a final stir with a sturdy rubberspatula.
• 5. Fill each cupcake cup about two-thirds full and knock the pan on the countertop once or twice to release air bubbles and even the surface of the batter. Place pan in oven. After 10-12 minutes, rotate the pan 180 degrees and continue to bake until cake springs back when lightly pressed in the center and a cake tester or wooden skewer emerges with crumbs clinging to it. Total baking time will be 20-22 minutes.
• 6. Cool pan on a cooling rack for 5 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the pan to the rack and let cool completely.
• To make the frosting
• 1. Melt white chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of water that is not quite simmering. Make sure the bottom of the bowl rests several inches above the surface of the water. Stir chocolate until smooth and let cool to room temperature on the countertop.
• 2. Sift the powdered sugar into a medium-sized bowl. Using a whisk, stir in the milk until all of the sugar has dissolved and mixture is smooth. Add butter, vanilla extract, and salt and continue to beat until smooth and shiny. With a rubber spatula, stir in the cooled white chocolate.
• 3. Place frosting in the refrigerator until cool enough to frost the cupcakes, about 30 minutes. (Frosting can be kept for a day in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Refrigerated frosting will need to soften at room temperature before spreading.)

WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Break the chocolate into individual squares and place in a bowl set over a pot of hot water (no hotter than 160 F) on low heat.
• The water must not touch the bottom of the bowl.
• Remove the pot from the heat and stir until the chocolate begins to melt.
• Return to the heat if the water cools, but be careful it does not get too hot.
• Stir until smooth.
• (The chocolate may be melted in a microwave on high power if stirred every 15 seconds. Remove before fully melted and stir, using the residual heat to complete the melting.) Allow the chocolate to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
• In a mixing bowl beat the cream cheese (preferably with a flat beater) until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually beat in the cooled chocolate until smoothly incorporated.
• Beat in the butter and lemon juice.
• Use at once or to ensure smoothness rebeat at ROOM TEMPERATURE (to prevent it from curdling) before frosting.
• Store: 1 day room temperature, 2 weeks refrigerated, 2 months frozen.
• Allow to come to room temperature before rebeating.
• Pointers for success: Do not overheat the chocolate and stir constantly while melting.
• Be sure no moisture gets into the melted chocolate.
• Beat constantly while adding the chocolate to prevent lumping.
• If lumping should occur, it can be remedied by pressing the buttercream through a fine strainer.
• Buttercream may separate slightly if room temperature is very warm.
• This can be corrected by setting the bowl in ice water and whisking the mixture.
• The buttercream becomes spongy on standing.
• Rebeat to restore smoothy creamy texture.
• Use ice to chill your hand during piping to maintain firm texture of the buttercream.

LEMON-BLUEBERRY CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides; line bottoms with rounds of parchment paper.
• Sift first 4 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until blended, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in lemon juice and peel, then eggs 1 at a time. Continue to beat until well blended. Beat in dry ingredients in 4 additions alternately with buttermilk in 3 additions. Fold in berries. Transfer batter to pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks.
• For frosting:
• Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler set over barely simmering water until almost melted. Remove from over water and stir until smooth. Cool to lukewarm. Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until blended. Beat in lemon juice, then cooled white chocolate.
• Turn cakes out onto work surface. Peel off parchment. Place 1 cake layer, flat side up, on platter. Spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with second cake layer, flat side down. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Garnish with additional blueberries and lemon slices, if desired. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.)

KEY LIME CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING (PAULA DEEN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 340. Grease and flour 3 (9 inch) cake pans.
• In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and lime zest at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in juice until combined.
• In medium bowl, combine cake flour and baking soda; sift. Gradually add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
• Pour evenly into prepared pans, and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread white chocolate frosting in between layers, and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with Key lime wedges, if desired.
• White Chocolate Frosting:.
• In medium bowl, combine chocolate an dcream. Microwave on high in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until chocolate is melted and smooth (about 1-1/2 minutes total); let cool completely.
• In large bowl, combine white chocolate mixture, butter, and vanilla. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners sugar until fluffy.

WHITE CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING

Steps:

• In a small, heavy saucepan, heat the cream just until it starts to simmer.
• Add the white chocolate, shaking the pan gently to immerse it into the cream, then add the butter.
• Let the mixture stand for 1 minute, then beat with a wire whisk until the chocolate and butter dissolve and the mixture is smooth.
• Refrigerate until mixture is cold, then whip with a wire whisk again until fluffy.
• Use frosting as desired; refrigerate your frosted goodies to firm up the frosting.

WHITE CHOCOLATE WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• For best results, use a stainless steel bowl and place in the freezer for a minimum of one hour before making the frosting.
• While the bowl is in the freezer, sift together the pudding mix and powdered sugar so that it is well combined.
• Add the whipping cream to the cold bowl.
• Using a mixer, whip for a few minutes until peaks form.
• Add the powdered sugar / pudding mixture a little bit at a time.
• If you are adding color, you can add this now, it is best to use gel coloring.
• Mix frosting until it is thick and it is the consistency to pipe with.
• If it gets too thick add a little bit of milk (1 teaspoon at a time.).
• Be careful to not over mix as the whipping cream will start to separate.
• Happy frosting!

WHITE CAKE WITH COCONUT, PECAN AND CHOCOLATE CHIP FROSTING

Steps:

• Make cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and vegetable shortening in large bowl to blend. Beat in eggs and egg whites, then milk and vanilla extract. Add flour and beat just until blended. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cake in pan.
• Make frosting:
• Combine first 6 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Whisk constantly over medium-low heat until butter melts and mixture thickens (do not boil), about 10 minutes. Stir in pecans and coconut. Cool until frosting is thick enough to spread but is still warm, about 40 minutes.
• Spread warm frosting over cake in pan. Let cool completely. Sprinkle chocolate chips over cake, pressing gently to adhere. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

GERMAN LEBKUCHEN CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• For syrup:
• Using vegetable peeler, remove peel (orange part only) from oranges in strips. Mince enough peel to measure 4 tablespoons. Mix honey, orange juice and 2 tablespoons orange peel (reserve remaining 2 tablespoons peel for cake) in heavy medium saucepan. Boil until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Set honey syrup aside.
• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch square baking pan with 2-inch-high sides. Line bottom with waxed paper. Butter paper. Dust pan with flour. Using electric mixer, beat first 8 ingredients in large bowl until fluffy. Mix in reserved 2 tablespoons minced orange peel. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking soda and baking powder into medium bowl. Mix half and half and lemon juice in small bowl. Beat dry ingredients alternately with half and half mixture into butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix in currants. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. (Cake will not rise to top of pan.) Cool cake 20 minutes. Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen. Turn cake out onto rack; cool. Peel off paper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover syrup and cake separately and let stand at room temperature.)
• For frosting:
• Melt chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Cool to barely luke warm. Using electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until light. Add chocolate and 1/4 cup honey syrup and beat until smooth and light. Chill until thick enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Cut cake horizontally in half. Place bottom layer cut side up on platter. Brush with 1/4 cup honey syrup. Spread 1 1/4 cups frosting over. Brush remaining 1/4 cup syrup over cut side of top cake layer. Place cake cut side down atop filled layer. Set aside 2/3 cup frosting for garnish. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Press almonds around sides. Spoon remaining 2/3 cup frosting into pastry bag fitted with small star tip. Pipe frosting decoratively around top edge of cake. Chill cake until frosting sets, about 1 hour. Garnish with orange slices. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving.)