Ingredients:
FOR CAKE:
- 3 c cake flour
- 2 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 3/4 c sugar
- 3 oz package of instant vanilla pudding powder
- 1 1/2 c unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 c heavy cream
- 1 c kahlua
FOR VODKA GLAZE:
- 1/2 c vodka
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp heavy cream
- 3/4 c confectioners’ sugar
FOR KAHLUA FROSTING:
- 1 1/2 c unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 c cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 1/2 c confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 4 Tbsp kahlua (or to taste)
- dark chocolate shavings, garnish
Directions:
1. preheat oven to 350’F Grease and line with parchment rounds, two 9 inch cake pans. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl sift together flour, salt, baking powder, and pudding mix. Set aside.
3. In a measuring cup mix vanilla, Kahlua and cream together. Set aside.
4. In another large mixing bowl cream butter and the sugar together. Beat in eggs, one egg at a time.
5. Mix flour mixture into batter gradually in thirds, alternating with the Kahlua mixture to the bowl in between adding the flour mixture. Starting and ending with the flour mixture. All in all, you will add Flour, Kahlua, Flour, Kahlua, and then Flour. Completely incorporate but do not over mix.
6. Pour batter out evenly between the two pans. Bake on the center wrack for about 32-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out almost clean.
7. For Vodka glaze, Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl, adding additional confectioner’s sugar as needed to make the glaze as thick as you like. I like it to be thick like paint, but not so thick it can’t soak into the cakes. Set aside.
8. For Frosting: Beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla together. Slowly add confectioner’s sugar until completely incorporated. Gradually add Kahlua and whip until completely smooth. Set aside.
9. ASSEMBLY! Once cakes are completely cooled, level off any doming with a serrated knife or cake leveler. Cut each cake in half to make four thin cake layers. Place the first layer on a cake circle. Spread a few tablespoons of the vodka glaze evenly over layer, then frost with Kahlua frosting. Repeat this process with the other layers, omitting the vodka glaze on the very top layer. Frost entire cake as desired and garnish with chocolate shavings. Serve cake room temperature.
