Train cake
Train Cake - A Delight for Little Railway Enthusiasts
Do you remember the magical moments of childhood when every day was an adventure? The Train Cake is a recipe that transforms any occasion into a feast of joy, perfect for celebrating with little ones. With a delicious combination of chocolate, fine cream, and playful details, this cake will bring smiles to everyone's faces. Let's begin our culinary adventure!
Preparation Time
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Baking time: 45 minutes
- Cooling time: 12 hours (ideal for chocolate cream)
- Total time: Approximately 13 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 12
Ingredients
Cake Base
- 125 g butter
- 100 g sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 4 eggs
- 50 g flour
- 200 g cooking chocolate
- 100 g ground walnuts
Cream
- 500 ml milk
- 1 packet of vanilla pudding (or chocolate, depending on preference)
- 150 g chocolate (white or dark)
- 2 packets of gelatin
- 300 ml liquid cream
Icing
- 220 g soft butter
- 600 g powdered sugar
- 120 ml milk
Train Cake Base
- 5 eggs
- 250 g butter
- 150 g sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 250 g flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Cocoa (to taste)
Decorations
- 2 packets of chocolate icing
- Various candies
- Finetti sticks
- Haribo (or any other favorite sweets)
Step-by-Step Preparation
Step 1: Preparing the Cake Base
1. Melting the chocolate: Start by melting the cooking chocolate in a double boiler. Let it cool slightly until it is warm.
2. Separating the eggs: Separate the egg whites from the yolks.
3. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar and vanilla sugar until you get a creamy mixture. Add the yolks, warm chocolate, and ground walnuts.
4. Incorporating the egg whites: Whip the egg whites until stiff and carefully fold them into the mixture, mixing gently. Finally, add the flour and mix gently to avoid losing air from the mixture.
5. Baking: Pour the mixture into a round cake pan with removable rings lined with baking paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 2: Preparing the Creams
1. Dissolving the gelatin: Soak the gelatin according to the instructions on the package.
2. Preparing the pudding: Mix the pudding powder in a little cold milk, then add the rest of the milk and chocolate. Boil the mixture until it thickens, stirring constantly.
3. Cooling: Once the pudding has thickened, cover it with a lid to prevent a crust from forming and let it cool. After it has cooled, place it in the refrigerator.
4. Mixing: The next day, blend the cooled pudding with a mixer until smooth. Whip the cream and fold it into the pudding using the mixer.
Step 3: Preparing the Icing
1. Mixing the ingredients: In a bowl, mix the butter with half of the powdered sugar, then add the milk and the remaining powdered sugar. Mix well until you get a homogeneous mixture.
Step 4: Assembling the Cake
1. Cutting the cake: When the cake has completely cooled, slice it horizontally into two or three layers.
2. Filling: Spread the chocolate cream between the layers and cover the entire surface of the cake with icing.
3. Decorating: Use cocoa or food coloring to give a personal touch to the icing.
Step 5: Preparing the Train
1. Preparing the train base: Beat the eggs with the butter, sugar, and vanilla sugar. Add the flour, baking powder, and cocoa. Bake the mixture in a loaf pan.
2. Shaping the train: Once cooled, cut it in half vertically to form the cars. Cut out the shapes of the locomotive and cars.
3. Icing the train: Melt the icing and cover the train, then decorate it with biscuits, Finetti sticks, and candies.
Serving and Suggestions
The Train Cake is served with a big smile, perfect for birthdays or themed parties. You can accompany this dessert with fruit tea or fresh orange juice, which will balance the sweetness of the cake.
Tips and Variations
- Cream variations: You can experiment with different pudding flavors, such as caramel or white chocolate, to find your favorite combination.
- Customized decorations: Involve your kids in decorating the train with sweets of their choice. They will surely appreciate this moment and it will add a personal touch to the cake.
- Calories and Nutritional Benefits: This cake is a treat that contains calorie-rich ingredients but can also provide antioxidants from chocolate. Moderation is key!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use sugar-free chocolate?: Yes, you can replace regular chocolate with sugar-free chocolate for a healthier option.
- How long can the cake be kept?: The cake keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, but is best enjoyed fresh.
- Can the cake be frozen?: It is not recommended to freeze the cake due to the texture of the cream and icing, but you can freeze the plain cake base.
Now you are ready to create this delightful Train Cake! Enjoy every step of the preparation and let your imagination soar!
Ingredients: Base: 125 g butter 100 g sugar 1 vanilla sugar 4 eggs 50 g flour 200 g cooking chocolate 100 g chopped nuts Cream: 500 g milk 1 packet vanilla pudding for white cream or 1 packet chocolate pudding for black cream 150 g white or dark chocolate as desired for the cream 2 packets gelatin 300 g liquid cream Icing: 220 g soft butter 600 g powdered sugar 120 ml milk Base for the train: 5 eggs 250 g butter 150 g sugar 1 packet vanilla sugar 250 g flour 1 baking powder a little cocoa For decorating the train: 2 packets chocolate icing candies finetti sticks (I think that's what they're called) haribo
