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preserves

Smoked Old Fashioned Cocktail Layer Cake

February 2, 2022 By Ashley 4 Comments

I’m going to get straight to the point here, this cake recipe is one of my hubby’s absolute favorites. And for good reason, it’s so freaking good. This recipe has been swirling around in my mind for a while and I am so, so happy how it turned out when I actually set out to test it. So, I am super excited to share with you my smoked old fashioned cocktail layer cake. Based on a riff of an amazing old fashioned we had not too long ago, this cake is a tender, fluffy orange bourbon cake filled with bourbon bitters cherry preserves and smoked brown butter Swiss meringue buttercream. All the flavors of a traditional old fashioned with a light and subtle smoky twist. Seriously, this cake. *Chef’s kiss*

Smoked Old Fashioned Layer Cake

Old Fashioned Cocktail layer cake and the importance of weight measurements

The flavors of this cake are so, so good. Caramel-like notes from the brown sugar, pops of orange from the zest with a mild, but prominent flavor from the bourbon. This cake, like many of my other cakes, are made using the reverse creaming method, making for a tight crumbed, fluffy and moist cake. And, like most my cake layers, you’ll notice the ingredients are listed in weight measurements only. Not only are weight measurements the most accurate and consistent, which means consistent (texture, height, color, etc.) and well made cakes, but also makes it far easier to scale the sizes up or down. Out of all the questions I get about my cake recipes, how to scale and adapt the recipes to other size cakes are some of most common. This scale is one I recommend.

Smoked Old Fashioned Layer Cake

You can bake this cake in 2 or 3 – 8″ pans. You will just need to bake the 2 – 8″ pans longer since they have more batter and will take a tad longer to cook. I tend to bake in 2 pans and torte because I like more filling, but also I think they look a bit fancier, which is my preference.

Smoked Old Fashioned Layer Cake

Bourbon Bitters Cherry Preserves

This bourbon bitters cherry preserves are a must for this cake, with that extra fruity pop, and the oomph from the bitters, a flavor must for an old fashioned cocktail. Toss the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, water, and bourbon into a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat. Cook for a couple minutes to soften the cherries and release the juices. Mash the cherries with the back of a wooden spoon, or a potato masher to break them up just a bit. Cook until the filling is bubbling, thickened and glossy. Whisk in the bitters, and set aside to cool completely before using. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week, if not using right away.

Smoked Old Fashioned Layer Cake

Smoked Brown Butter Swiss Meringue Buttercream

My smoked brown butter Swiss meringue buttercream is magical. It’s highly addictive, unique and just so, so good! Now, I know the liquid smoke element is strange – a super savory and strong seasoning seems weird near cake. But, used specifically to taste, it adds this slight smoky element that enhances the buttercream, but won’t actually have its own distinguishable flavor. You can totally leave it out and the buttercream will still be amazing, as there is still some smoky flavor from the brown butter, but I love the unique addition of liquid smoke.

Smoked Old Fashioned Layer Cake

If you make my smoked old fashioned cocktail layer cake, let me know! Drop a comment or tag me on Instagram. I love seeing your bakes and creations.

Enjoy!

Ash xx

For more layer cake recipes, check out these posts:

Strawberry Rose Buttermilk Cake

Earl Grey Cake with Honey Buttercream and Blackberry Caramel

Banana Cake with Salted Caramel and Peanut Butter Buttercream

Chocolate Stout Cake with Coffee Irish Cream Buttercream

Smoked Old Fashioned Cake
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Smoked Old Fashioned Cocktail Layer Cake

Fluffy and tender brown sugar cake with the flavors of orange and bourbon filled with bourbon bitter cherry preserves and smoked brown butter Swiss meringue buttercream
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Assembly30 mins
Course: Dessert
Servings: 3 – 8″ cakes (or 2 – 8″ cakes, torted)

Ingredients

  • 14 ounces (397g) cake flour
  • 14 ounces (397gg) light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 8 oz (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 10 ounces (283g) whole milk, room temperature
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 ounces (57g) bourbon
  • 3 ounces (85g) canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Bourbon Bitters Cherry Preserves

  • 2 cups (320g) red cherries, pitted and quartered
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Angostura bitters

Smoked Brown Butter Swiss Meringue Buttercream

  • 3 cups (678g) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
  • 9 large (300g) egg whites
  • 2 ½ cups (500g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 7-10 drops (optional) liquid smoke, to taste

Instructions

Brown Sugar Orange Bourbon Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350F.
  • Prepare the cake pans. You can use 3-8" pans for a 3 layer cake, or 2 -8" pans, then torte in half, for a 4 layer cake. Brush the bottoms and sides of your cake pans with melted butter. Line the bottoms and sides with parchment paper.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cake flour, brown sugar, orange zest, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. On low speed, mix for 1 minute to combine.
  • Combine the milk, eggs, bourbon, oil and vanilla extract in medium bowl. Whisk to thoroughly combine.
  • With the mixer still running, add in the softened butter pieces, one or two pieces at a time. Mix until the mixture resembles cornmeal. You should be able to gather a bit in your hand, squeeze and you have a solid piece. This means the butter is evenly distributed.
  • With the mixer still on low, pour in a small amount of the liquid ingredients (about 2/3 cup) and mix until the flour mixture is moistened.
  • Turn the mixer speed to medium (4 or 6) and beat for *two full* minutes. The mixture should be whipped, thick, and lighter in color.
  • Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is properly mixed.
  • With the mixer speed on low, add the remaining wet ingredients in three parts, scraping down the bowl after each addition has been mixed in.
  • Once all the wet ingredients have been incorporated, give the bowl a final scrape and mix with a spatula. Evenly divide the batter among the prepared pans.
  • Bake the layers for 30-40 minutes for 3 pans, 40-50 minutes for 2 pans. Start checking the cake at 30-35 minutes to test for doneness. Cakes are done when a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, and the top of the cake feels springy and set when touched.
  • Tap each cake pan firmly against the counter to remove excess steam. If your cakes dome at all, use a clean kitchen towel to gently push the domes down. Cool the cakes for 15 minutes in the pans.
  • Run a palette or butter knife around the cakes in their pans before turning them out to cool completely on cooling racks.
  • Wrap in plastic wrap and chill while preparing the preserves and buttercream.

Bourbon Bitters Cherry Preserves

  • Combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, water, and bourbon in a medium saucepan over medium low heat.
  • Use a potato masher or a wooden spoon to crush the cherries just a bit to release the juices and break them up a bit.
  • Let the mixture simmer until thickened and glossy, about 5-7 minutes. 
  • Remove the mixture from the heat, whisk in the bitters and cool completely before using.

Smoked Brown Butter Swiss Meringue Buttercream

  • Place 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) butter into a skillet set over medium-low heat. Cook the butter until it gives a nutty aroma, is no longer making popping noises and has turned an amber color.
  • Remove the butter from the heat and let it cool in the pan until lukewarm. Poor the butter into a container and allow to cool completely and re-solidify to room temperature.
  • Weigh out egg whites and granulated sugar together in a non-reactive bowl, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the bowl and place over a pot of simmering (not boiling) water, whisking constantly and gently until temperature reaches 160F. 
  • Using a sieve, strain the egg white sugar mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer.
  • Mix on medium speed with the whisk attachment until the mixture is glossy, reaches stiff peaks and the outside of the bowl is no longer warm. You cannot add butter to the bowl if it is warm or the butter will just melt when added.
  • Once the mixture reaches stiff peaks, switch out the whisk attachment for the paddle attachment and begin mixing on low speed. 
  • Add the softened butter cubes, a couple at a time, until incorporated, followed by the room temperature, solidified brown butter.
  • Now, just let it mix. It might curdle or look lumpy but that’s ok. Keep mixing. This could take some time. The buttercream is ready when it is smooth, satiny and creamy.
  • Keep mixing on low and add the salt, and vanilla. Add liquid smoke, to taste.

Assemble Cake

  • Working with chilled cake layers, use a long serrated knife to remove any doming from your cakes.
  • **(If you baked in 2 pans instead of 3, torte the layers, cutting them evenly in half. You will have four cake layers total. The tops of the cakes will be the center two layers of your cake.)
  • Put one of the cake layers, cut side up onto an 8" cake board or directly onto a cake stand.
  • Spread a thin, even layer of the buttercream on the cake layer with an offset spatula. 
  • Fit a piping bag with a large round tip ( I use an Ateco 808), and fill with smoked brown butter Swiss meringue buttercream.
  • Pipe a dam around the edge of the cake to prevent the cherry preserves from spilling over the sides of the cake.
  • Spread an even, thin layer of cherry preserves on the cake layer over the thin layer of buttercream.
  • Pipe buttercream over the cherry preserves, creating a 1/4" layer of buttercream. Smooth with a spatula.
  • Add the second cake layer and repeat with the cherry preserves and buttercream. Place the third and final layer on top, and frost the outside and top of the cake.
  • *(For 4 layer cakes: Repeat with third and fourth layer on top, and frost the outside and top of the cake.)
  • Decorate with fresh cherries.

Filed Under: Cakes and Cupcakes Tagged With: bourbon, brown butter, buttercream, cake, cherry, layer cake, old fashioned cocktail, orange, preserves, smoked, Swiss meringue buttercream, whiskey

Pistachio Cherry Linzer Cookies

December 6, 2020 By Ashley Leave a Comment

Linzer cookies are a such a classic holiday cookie, and a staple to every cookie tray. We make variations of them every Christmas. Nutty, buttery cookies filled with our favorite jams, spreads and curds. This year, my pistachio cherry Linzer cookies will be making an appearance on our holiday cookie line up. Cherry preserves sandwiched between two pistachio cookies and topped with a fine dusting of confectioner’s sugar, these cookies are melt in your mouth delicious. Bonus that they’re also super pretty too.

Pistachio Cherry Linzer Cookies

What are linzer cookies?

Linzer cookies are a smaller spin off of the Austrian classic Linzertorte (if you haven’t had one they’re amazinggggg). These sandwich cookies are similar to a shortbread cookie made with ground nuts, traditionally almonds. The cookies are filled with fruit preserves, and topped with a dusting of confectioner’s sugar. The hole in the top cookie exposes the preserves, gives them a stained glass look and mimics the lattice topping of a Linzertorte.

Pistachio Cherry Linzer Cookies

This Linzer cookie recipe uses ground pistachios, and cherry preserves, but these cookies are totally customizable. Use almonds, pecans, or your favorite nut, and pair the cookies with your favorite preserves or jams. Fruit curds, cookie butters, and dulce de leche make great fillings for Linzer cookies.

Pistachio Cherry Linzer Cookies

How to make Linzer cookies

These impressive looking cookies are actually quite easy to make. Butter and sugar are beaten together until light and fluffy. An egg yolk and vanilla extract are beaten in. Flour, cinnamon, and salt (if you’re using unsalted pistachios) are mixed in, followed by finely ground pistachios. I ground the pistachios in a food processor. While I ground them finely, I did leave a few coarse pieces in there for some extra crunch. I also used salted pistachios, so I omitted the salt. If you are using unsalted pistachios, add in the salt amount noted in the recipe.

Pistachio Cherry Linzer Cookies

The dough does need to chill for a bit to relax the dough and make them easier to roll out, about an hour. I used a 2 1/2″ scalloped edge round cutter, and a smaller 1″ cutter for the centers. Cut the centers out of half the cookie cut outs. Chill the cookies for an additional 20-30 minutes while preheating the oven.

Bake the cookies until light golden brown. Dust the cut out hole cookies with confectioner’s sugar. Spread 3/4 teaspoon of jam on each whole cookie. Carefully top each with a cut out hole cookie and press down gently to create a cookie sandwich, but avoid getting fingerprints in your confectioner’s sugar.

Pistachio Cherry Linzer Cookies

These pistachio cherry Linzer cookies are so much fun to make. I love how the preserves peeking through the cookies looks like little glittering gems. Super pretty, easy to make and so delicious. If you make these cookies, let me know! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram. I love seeing your bakes.

Enjoy!

Ash xx

For more cookie recipes, check out these posts:

Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies

Espresso Toffee Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Snowflake Sugar Cookies

Pistachio Cherry Linzer Cookies
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Pistachio Cherry Linzer Cookies

Sweet and tart cherry preserves sandwiched between buttery and nutty pistachio Linzer cookies and topped with a dusting of confectioner's sugar
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Chill1 hr
Total Time1 hr 25 mins
Course: Dessert
Keyword: Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies, cherry, linzer cookies, pistachio
Servings: 12 sandwich cookies

Equipment

  • Electric Stand Mixer
  • Fluted cookie cutters

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, Only use if using unsalted pistachios
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup finely ground pistachios

Instructions

  • Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, and salt (if using) in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until smooth, fluffy and creamy, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, and beat until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat again as needed to ensure everything is combined.
  • Add the flour mixture and the ground pistachios and mix on low until combined. It will be crumbly at first, but will come together after a couple minutes of mixing. Stop mixing when large clumps have formed and there are no big pockets of flour.
  • Turn out the dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Flatten into a disc, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
  • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside.
  • Generously flour a work surface, as well as your hands and the rolling pin. The dough may become sticky as you work, so keep extra flour nearby to use as needed. You can roll out the dough between two pieces of wax paper or parchment paper to prevent any sticking issues if you wish.
  • Roll out the disc until 1/4 inch thick. Using a 2½ inch scalloped cutter, cut the dough into circles. Re-roll the remaining dough and continue cutting until all is used. You should have 24 cookies.
  • Place the cookies 2" apart on the baking sheets.
  • Using a 1" round or scalloped cutter, cut a hole into the center of 12 of the cookies.
  • Place the cookies into the refrigerator to chill for an additional 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350F.
  • Bake the cookies for 14-16 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn brown. Let them cool for 5 minutes on the pan, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
  • Place the cookies with the holes in them on a cookie sheet and sift confectioners' sugar over the top.
  • Spread 3/4 teaspoon of jam on each whole cookie. Carefully top each with a sugar dusted hole cookie and press down gently to create a cookie sandwich.
  • Cookies will stay fresh covered at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They can also be frozen unfilled for up to 2 months.

Filed Under: Cookies Tagged With: christmas cookies, cookies, jam, linzer, pistachio, preserves, sandwich cookies

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Hi, I’m Ashley! Welcome to the Little Vintage Baking blog – where you will find recipes, tutorials, resources and more for bakers and cake decorators.
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