Epiphany Celebration Cake
This sumptuous Epiphany Celebration Cake, also known as Kings Cake, is a delightful traditional dessert served during the festive observance of the arrival of the Wise Men at the manger. Each slice is a celebration of flavors and textures, rich with butter, brown sugar, and an array of fruits and nuts. It is customary to hide a dried bean and a dried pea within the layers of this cake, symbolizing the selection of a King and a Queen of the Feast. With its moist layers and luscious apricot filling, this cake is perfect for sharing with family and friends as you commemorate the twelfth night of Christmas.
N/A
Servings
833.3
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
2 cups (softened)
Brown Sugar
16 ounces
Eggs
8 large
All-purpose Flour
3 1/4 cups (divided (3 cups + 1/4 cup for coating fruits and nuts))
Baking Soda
1 teaspoon
Mace
2 teaspoons (ground)
Cinnamon
1 teaspoon (ground)
Slivered Almonds
4 ounces
Raisins
15 ounces
Currants
10 ounces
Candied Citron
1/2 cup (chopped)
Candied Lemon Peel
1/2 cup (chopped)
Apricot Filling
12 ounces
Water
2/3 cup
Meringue Powder
1/4 cup
Confectioners' Sugar
48 ounces
Shortening
1 1/4 cups
Salt
3/4 teaspoon
Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon
Butter Flavoring
1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and line three 9-inch round cake pans with wax paper.
2
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add the brown sugar, beating well until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated.
4
In another bowl, sift together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, baking soda, mace, and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture, mixing at low speed until just combined.
5
In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of flour with slivered almonds, raisins, currants, candied citron, and candied lemon peel. Toss until the fruit and nuts are coated with flour.
6
Gently fold this fruit and nut mixture into the batter until evenly distributed.
7
Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. At this time, carefully drop the dried bean into one pan and the dried pea into another.
8
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing them from the pans. Let them cool completely on the rack.
9
Once cooled, spread apricot filling between the layers of the cakes. Frost the top and sides with White Buttercream Frosting and decorate as desired.
10
For the White Buttercream Frosting: In a large bowl, combine the water and meringue powder. Beat at high speed until soft peaks form.
11
Gradually add 4 cups of confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time, beating at low speed. Then add the remaining sugar alternately with shortening, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and butter flavorings.
12
This recipe yields 7 cups of frosting, sufficient for one 3-layer cake.
Nutrition Information
33.3
Fat
125
Carbs
6.7
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Epiphany Celebration Cake?
The Epiphany Celebration Cake, also known as Kings Cake, is a traditional dessert served to commemorate the arrival of the Wise Men at the manger.
What is another name for this cake?
This dessert is commonly known as Kings Cake.
When is this cake traditionally served?
It is customarily served during the festive observance of the arrival of the Wise Men and for the twelfth night of Christmas.
What is the significance of the dried bean and dried pea?
Hiding a dried bean and a dried pea within the cake layers symbolizes the selection of a King and a Queen of the Feast.
How many layers does the Epiphany Celebration Cake have?
This recipe is designed for a three-layer cake.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
What size cake pans are required?
You will need three 9-inch round cake pans.
How long does the cake need to bake?
The cakes should bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
What spices are used in the cake batter?
The batter is seasoned with ground mace and ground cinnamon.
Which fruits are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes raisins, currants, candied citron, and candied lemon peel.
Are there nuts in this cake?
Yes, the cake contains 4 ounces of slivered almonds.
What is used as the filling between the cake layers?
Apricot filling is spread between the cooled cake layers.
What type of frosting is used for this cake?
The cake is covered in a White Buttercream Frosting made with meringue powder and shortening.
How do I prepare the fruits and nuts before adding them to the batter?
They should be tossed with 1/4 cup of flour to ensure they are coated before being folded into the batter.
How long should the cakes cool in the pans?
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing them.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 833.3 calories.
How many eggs are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 8 large eggs.
What type of sugar is used in the cake batter?
The batter uses 16 ounces of brown sugar.
What is the total amount of flour used in the recipe?
A total of 3 and 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour is used, with the portion divided between the batter and the fruit coating.
How much frosting does the White Buttercream recipe yield?
The frosting recipe yields approximately 7 cups, which is enough for one 3-layer cake.
What is the fat content of the cake?
The cake has approximately 33.3 grams of fat per serving.
What flavoring extracts are used in the frosting?
The frosting is flavored with vanilla extract and butter flavoring.
What is the purpose of meringue powder in the frosting?
Meringue powder is beaten with water to create soft peaks, providing structure to the buttercream frosting.
What is the carbohydrate content of this dessert?
There are 125 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is butter used in both the cake and the frosting?
Butter is used in the cake batter, while shortening and butter flavoring are used for the frosting.
How much protein is in a serving of this cake?
Each serving contains approximately 6.7 grams of protein.
Should the cake pans be lined?
Yes, the instructions recommend greasing the pans and lining them with wax paper.
When should the bean and pea be added?
They should be dropped into the batter after it has been spooned into the pans, just before baking.
How is the brown sugar incorporated into the batter?
It should be added gradually to the creamy butter and beaten until the mixture is light and fluffy.
How much confectioners' sugar is needed for the frosting?
The frosting requires 48 ounces of confectioners' sugar.