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Winter Wonderland White Chocolate Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 99 reviews

This Winter Wonderland White Chocolate Cake is a decadent and festive treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Featuring a moist cake infused with vanilla and yogurt, it is layered with a rich white chocolate buttercream and topped with a smooth white chocolate ganache tinted with gel food coloring. Delicate cardamom adds a hint of warmth to the cake, making it truly special for the winter season.

Ingredients

Scale

Buttercream

  • 1 pound unsalted butter (454g), softened
  • 2 cups white chocolate chips (340g)
  • 8 cups confectioners’ sugar (880g)
  • 1/2 cup cream (118mL)

Cake

  • 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (205g)
  • 1 cup sugar (200g)
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda (1g)
  • 1 tsp baking powder (4g)
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom (optional)
  • 3/4 cup salted butter (170g), room temperature
  • 3 egg whites
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract (15mL)
  • 1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt (120g)
  • 1/2 cup milk (118mL)

White Chocolate Ganache

  • 1 cup white chocolate chips (170g)
  • 1/4 cup cream (60mL)
  • 1 drop gel food coloring (regular food coloring will seize the chocolate)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, cream the salted butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in egg whites one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and optional cardamom. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the liquids—milk and yogurt—to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  2. Bake the Cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pans. Pour the batter evenly into the pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
  3. Make the White Chocolate Buttercream: Melt the white chocolate chips gently over a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Allow melted chocolate to cool slightly but remain liquid. In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and continue beating. Slowly pour in the melted white chocolate and cream while beating until the buttercream is smooth and spreadable.
  4. Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes have cooled, level the tops if needed. Place one cake layer on your serving platter and spread an even layer of the white chocolate buttercream on top. Repeat with the second layer. Cover the entire cake with a thin crumb coat of buttercream and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Then apply the final layer of buttercream smoothly all over the cake.
  5. Prepare White Chocolate Ganache: Heat the cream until just simmering and pour over the white chocolate chips in a bowl. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir gently until glossy and smooth. Add one drop of gel food coloring to tint the ganache, stirring thoroughly. Allow ganache to cool slightly but remain pourable.
  6. Decorate the Cake: Pour the ganache over the chilled cake, allowing it to cascade over the sides evenly. Use a spatula to smooth if necessary. Place the cake back into the refrigerator to set the ganache for at least 30 minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with white chocolate shavings or edible glitter to enhance the winter wonderland theme.

Notes

  • Use gel food coloring for the ganache to prevent seizing that occurs with regular liquid food coloring.
  • Ensure the butter and eggs are at room temperature for best cake texture.
  • Cardamom is optional but adds a warm spice note complementary to white chocolate.
  • Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the cake tender.
  • Allow the cake layers to cool completely before applying buttercream to avoid melting.
  • Store the cake refrigerated and bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.

Keywords: white chocolate cake, white chocolate buttercream, white chocolate ganache, holiday cake, winter cake, festive dessert, cardamom cake

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/winter-wonderland-white-chocolate-cake-recipe/