Star cake

Cake Dedicated to a Steaua Fan – A Decadent Delight

Total preparation time: 2 hours (plus cooling time)
Baking time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: approximately 350 kcal

Dedicated to all football enthusiasts, especially the fans of the Steaua team, this cake is not just a simple dessert but a true declaration of love for intense flavors and refined combinations. Here’s how to prepare it step by step!

A Brief History of Cakes

Cakes are an essential part of any celebration or special occasion. Throughout history, they have been associated with festivities and the celebration of important moments. Of course, our cake dedicated to a Steaua fan is no exception, containing all the necessary ingredients to bring a smile to anyone who enjoys it.

Ingredients

For the cake base:
- 10 eggs
- 20 tablespoons of flour
- 20 tablespoons of sugar
- 6 tablespoons of cocoa powder
- Vanilla extract (to taste)

For the chocolate cream:
- 10 egg yolks
- 10 tablespoons of sugar
- 10 tablespoons of flour
- 1 liter of milk
- 300 g dark chocolate
- 100 g raisins
- Rum essence (to taste)

For the white chocolate cream:
- 200 g white chocolate
- 100 g shredded coconut
- Vanilla extract (to taste)

For the syrup:
- 200 g sugar
- 200 ml water

For decoration:
- Fondant
- Green food coloring
- 200 g shredded coconut (for decoration)
- 1 pack of unsalted butter
- 100 g powdered sugar

Preparation

Step 1: Preparing the cake base

1. Whip the egg whites: In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. When the foam begins to form, gradually add the sugar, continuing to mix until you achieve a firm and shiny meringue.
2. Add the dry ingredients: Sift the flour and cocoa over the meringue and fold gently with a spatula, using delicate up-and-down motions to preserve the air in the mixture.
3. Baking the cake layers: Pour the mixture into a rectangular baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake at 180°C (medium heat) for 50 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. After baking, let it cool on a wire rack.

Step 2: Preparing the creams

4. Dark chocolate cream: In another bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until they double in volume. Add the flour and mix well to avoid lumps.
5. Preparing the pudding: Heat the milk in a double boiler and pour the egg yolk mixture into it, stirring constantly until it thickens. Divide the cream into two bowls.
6. Dark chocolate: In one bowl, add the chopped dark chocolate to the warm cream and mix vigorously until fully melted. Add the raisins and rum essence, mixing well.
7. White chocolate: In the other bowl, add the white chocolate and shredded coconut, mixing until well combined. Add the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.

Step 3: Assembling the cake

8. The syrup: In a pot, boil water with sugar until completely dissolved. Let it cool.
9. Cutting the cake: Once cooled, cut the cake horizontally into 3 equal layers.
10. Soaking: Soak each layer of the cake with the cooled syrup. Place the first layer on a serving plate, add the dark chocolate cream, followed by the second layer of cake, then the white chocolate cream, and finally the last layer of cake. Refrigerate for a few hours to set well.

Step 4: Decorating the cake

11. Preparing the buttercream: Beat the butter with the powdered sugar for about 15 minutes until creamy and airy. This will be the outer layer of the cake.
12. Coating the cake: Coat the cake with the buttercream and refrigerate to firm up.
13. Decoration: Mix the shredded coconut with a few drops of green food coloring until uniform. Use the fondant to cover the cake and decorate it with the colored coconut.

Serving Suggestions

This cake is perfect for special occasions, parties, or even a football night with friends. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a fruit sauce for a delicious contrast. A refreshing drink, such as mint lemonade, will perfectly complement the meal.

Practical Tips

- Storing the cake layers: To avoid drying out, make sure to wrap the layers well in plastic wrap after they have completely cooled.
- Choosing chocolate: Use high-quality chocolate to achieve a truly delicious cream.
- Variations: You can experiment with different types of nuts or dried fruits in the creams to add extra texture and flavor.
- Glaze: If you desire a shinier glaze, you can prepare a glaze from melted chocolate with a bit of butter and apply it over the buttercream.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use milk chocolate?
Yes, milk chocolate can be used, but it will slightly change the flavor profile, making it sweeter.

2. How can I make the cake less sweet?
You can reduce the amount of sugar in the creams and syrup, but be careful to maintain the balance of texture.

3. Can the cake be frozen?
Yes, this cake freezes very well, but make sure it is well wrapped to avoid freezer burn.

4. What type of flour is recommended?
Use all-purpose white flour for the best results.

This cake dedicated to a Steaua fan is not just a dessert, but a true culinary masterpiece, full of flavors and textures that celebrate not only the love for football but also the joy of cooking. I encourage you to try it and share this wonderful culinary experience with your loved ones!