Molehill Cake

Brick Nest Cake – An Autumn Delicacy

If you are looking for a dessert that combines the flavors of autumn with a soft and savory texture, the Brick Nest Cake is the perfect choice. This recipe will not only delight the taste buds of the whole family but will also bring a touch of nostalgia and warmth to the cooler days. Here’s how you can prepare it step by step.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 8-10

Ingredients

Base:
- 140 g soft butter (at room temperature)
- 100 g powdered sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar Dr. Oetker
- 6 egg yolks
- 6 egg whites
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 130 g flour
- ½ packet of baking powder
- 100 g chocolate (preferably high cocoa content for an intense flavor)

Filling:
- 2 bananas
- 2 mandarins
- lemon juice (to prevent banana oxidation)
- 1 teaspoon of orange essence Dr. Oetker

Cream:
- 500 ml liquid cream
- 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar Dr. Oetker

Decoration:
- pieces of mandarin
- vanilla powdered sugar Dr. Oetker

Preparation

Step 1: Preparing the base
1. Start by preparing the base. In a large bowl, mix the soft butter with the powdered sugar and vanilla sugar. Use a mixer to achieve a fluffy and smooth cream.
2. Add the egg yolks one at a time, continuing to mix until fully incorporated.
3. In another bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then gradually add the granulated sugar, mixing continuously until you achieve a glossy meringue.
4. Gently fold the egg whites into the butter cream, mixing with a spatula to avoid losing the air in the mixture.
5. Sift the flour together with the baking powder and gradually add it to the butter mixture, mixing gently.
6. Finally, add the chopped chocolate and mix until evenly distributed.

Step 2: Baking
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Line a 26 cm diameter baking pan with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pan and level the surface.
3. Bake for about 40 minutes. Check the baking time with the toothpick test: if it comes out clean, the base is ready.
4. Allow the base to cool completely in the pan.

Step 3: Preparing the filling
1. Once the base has cooled, use a spoon or knife to hollow out the inside of the base, leaving a margin of about 1 cm.
2. Keep the crumbs obtained for decoration. You can mix them with a little orange essence for added flavor.
3. Peel the bananas and slice them in half lengthwise, sprinkling them with lemon juice to prevent oxidation.
4. Peel the mandarins, remove the white skin, and then slice them.

Step 4: Preparing the cream
1. In a cold bowl, whip the liquid cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla sugar until you achieve stiff peaks.
2. Add the orange essence and mix gently.

Step 5: Assembling the cake
1. Place the banana slices on the hollowed base, followed by the mandarin slices.
2. Cover with a generous layer of whipped cream, then sprinkle the reserved crumbs and a few pieces of mandarin on top.
3. Finally, dust with vanilla powdered sugar for an elegant look.

Serving
The cake can be kept in the refrigerator until serving, making it ideal to prepare a day in advance. It can be served with a fragrant tea or hot coffee, and for a pleasant contrast, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside.

Tips and Tricks
- Replace the chocolate with white chocolate for a sweeter version of the cake.
- You can also add other seasonal fruits like kiwi or apples to diversify the flavors.
- If you want a more impressive-looking cake, you can use a stencil to decorate with melted chocolate or whipped cream.

Calories and Nutritional Benefits
A serving of Brick Nest Cake has about 300-350 calories, depending on the portion and ingredients used. It provides a good source of carbohydrates and healthy fats from butter and cream, while the fruits bring essential vitamins and fiber.

Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use other types of essences?
Absolutely! You can experiment with almond or even mint essences to achieve a unique flavor.

- Can the cake be frozen?
Yes, the cake can be frozen after it has been assembled, but it is recommended to add the cream and decorations before serving.

- How can I make the cake less sweet?
You can reduce the amount of sugar in the cake base or use dark chocolate with a high cocoa content.

The Brick Nest Cake is more than just a dessert; it is a culinary experience that brings together family and friends. I invite you to prepare it and enjoy every delicious slice! Enjoy your meal!