Pomegranate Martini Cake

After seeing THIS perfect shot from Karen's blog - Citrus and Candy, I just to had to have one for my blog. I don't care if Billy thinks it's passe: I like it!

I chanced upon this Pomegranate Martini Cake recipe while googling for inspirational recipes. I knew I just had to make it. My favourite cocktail in a cake. How could I resist?

The list of ingredients - Pom, vodka, crème pâtissière, orange segments, marmalade, fresh whipped cream frosting - sound like a song to me, a perfect melody.

Then, I received a pair of Royal Pom Pomegranates from Wordstorm last week. They couldn't have come at a better time.

It's a little bit time consuming as there are recipes within the recipe but it's well worth the effort. After trying a slice of the cake, Mr J declared it's the best cake ever. Prior to this cake, it was the Sicilian Orange Cake.

Pomegranate Martini Cake Recipe
(Adapted from here)
This recipe yields 2 x 10" cakes

There are several parts to the process:

1 basic sponge cake recipe (yield: 3 – 10” cakes)
Pomegranate Vodka syrup
Pastry Cream
Orange Marmalade
Pomegranate seeds
Orange segments
Whipped Cream

Sponge Cake Recipe
Yields 3 – 10” cakes

Ingredients

10 eggs (separated)
2 ½ cups all-purpose four
2 ½ cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. lemon extract
5 oz. ice water
2 ½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt

Method

1. Shift flour and baking powder together.
2. Beat yolks until thick (lemon colored) and makes a slow ribbon when paddle attachment is lifted.
3. Gradually add sugar and ice water.
4. Add flour and baking power mixture to the eggs.
5. Mix until incorporated

Separately…

1. Beat egg whites, just before they are stiff add the extracts and salt. Beat until stiff, but not dry.
2. Fold whites into the batter. Turn into prepared pans that have been lined with parchment and sprayed with non-stick spray.
3. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes (convection oven 300 for 20 minutes).
4. Check with toothpicks. You want the cake to spring back to touch and be lightly golden.

Pomegranate Vodka Syrup Recipe

Ingredients

1 ½ cup sugar
1 ½ cup water
½ cup pomegranate juice
6 oz. vodka

Method

1. Combine sugar, water and juice in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add vodka. Let cool.

Pastry cream Recipe

Ingredients

1 quart milk
4 oz sugar
4 egg yolks
2 whole eggs
2.5 oz. corn starch
4 oz. sugar
2 oz. butter
1 tsp vanilla

Method

1. Heat milk and sugar until scald.
2. In separate bowl, mix eggs, starch and sugar until smooth.
3. Temper egg mix with milk and return to a boil, whisking constantly until thickened
4. Take off heat and add vanilla and butter. Let cool.

To assemble the Pomegranate Martini Cake:
(Makes 2 cakes)

Method

1. Cut each 10” cake in half.
2. On bottom layer, brush with pomegranate syrup.
3. Spread a thin layer of marmalade on top.
4. Spread pastry cream over the marmalade.
5. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.

   

6. Neatly place orange segments around layer.
7. Place another cake layer on top and repeat steps 2 -6.

   

8. After placing top layer on, brush with pomegranate syrup.

Whipped Cream Recipe

Method

1. Combine about 1 ½ quart of heavy cream with ¾ cup confectioner’s sugar and about 2 tsp vanilla (all to taste). Whip until medium peaks. Frost cake sides and top with whipped cream.

   

2. Garnish with sugared pomegranate seeds (just sprinkle the seeds with some sugar and toss.)