Mini Chocolate-Coconut Cakes

By melissadove

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup almond flour (bobsredmill.com)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• Coarse salt
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
• Gel-paste food coloring in red or pink (nycake.com)
• 2 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

Details

Servings 20
Preparation time 60mins
Cooking time 100mins
Adapted from marthastewart.com

Preparation

Step 1

Make It Now

Makes 20

Directions

Make the cakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously coat two 6-compartment nonstick sphere-shaped silicone molds with cooking spray, and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.

Sift flours, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt into the bowl of a mixer. Beat in oil, sour cream, warm water, egg, and egg yolk with mixer on low speed. Continue to beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, make almond syrup: Heat water and sugar in a small saucepan over high heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Stir in almond extract. Brush cakes all over with warm almond syrup. Let stand for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the frosting: Bring 3/4 cup sugar, the water, and corn syrup to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until a candy thermometer reaches 230 degrees.

Meanwhile, whisk egg whites to soft peaks with a mixer on medium-high speed. Whisk in remaining tablespoon sugar.

Once syrup reaches 230 degrees, immediately pour it down sides of bowl in a slow, steady stream with the mixer on medium-low speed. Raise speed to medium-high. Beat until cooled and stiff, but not dry, peaks form, about 5 minutes. Add almond extract and 1 drop food coloring. Continue to beat for 1 minute.

directions

You may think that the Living test kitchen’s favorite cooking tool is a stand mixer...