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- Take a look at this slideshow first on how to cut out the 6 inch rounds.
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http://sweets.seriouseats.com/2014/02/behind-the-scenes-in-momofuku-milk-bars-kitchen-strawberry-lemon-layer-cake-slideshow.html
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Will need edible flowers and toasted coconut chips if desired to decorate.
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Put a piece of baking paper on a chopping board or straight onto your counter top. Invert the cake onto it and peel off the baking paper from the bottom of the cake. If you are using a sharp edged, 6 inch cake ring, use the cake ring to stamp out 2 circles from the cake (see pictures). If your cake tin is round edged like mine, sit the cake ring on top of the cake trace out the circles using a sharp knife, and then cut the circles out carefully with the knife.
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Cut 2 semicircles in the remaining cake for the first layer.
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For the first layer: clean the cake tin/ring and line the base (or a small baking tray, if using a cake ring) with baking paper. Line the sides with a strip of acetate 9 cm wide and 55cm long - tape together.
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Put the 2 semicircles of cake together inside the ring, filling the gaps with remaining cake scraps. Use your hand to tamp down the scraps into an even layer.
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Dunk a pastry brush into the espresso-chocolate soak adn give the cake layer a good brush with the soak. (be generous, but you will end up with some left over, so don’t try to use half or it will be sodden!)
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Spread half the crack-coconut filling over the cake, pressing down in an even layer.
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Sprinkle half the pecan crunk evenly over.
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Use the back of a spoon or a small offset spatula to spread 1/3 of the chocolate-espresso frosting over the pecan crunch.
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Gently tuck the second strip of acetate between the cake ring/tin and the top cm of the first strip of acetate, in order to extend the height of your cake tin. Tape in place.
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Set a cake round on top of the chocolate frosting, and repeat the process of espresso-chocolate soak, the rest of the crack-coconut filling, the rest of the pecan crunch, and another 1/3 of the chocolate espresso frosting.
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Nestle the last cake round into the frosting. Cover the top of the cake with the remaining frosting and spread into an even layer.
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Transfer the cake to the freezer and freezer for a minimum of 12 hours to set the cake and fillings together.
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At least 3 hours before serving, remove from the freezer. Pop the cake out of the cake ring or remove from the tin and gently take off the base. Carefully peel off the acetate adn transfer the cake to a platter or cake stand. Let defrost in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
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Before serving, decorate the cake with edible flowers and toasted coconut chips.
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Any remaining cake (which there may not be!), can be kept in the fridge for a few days wrapped in plastic wrap.