Italian Rum Cake

By ctozzi

This Italian Rum Cake is a delicious four layer cake that is flavored with rum, filled with alternating layers of vanilla and chocolate (pasticciera) pastry cream, topped with whipped cream icing, and garnished with almonds.

Ingredients

• WHIPPED CREAM ICING:
• CAKE (Makes two 8 or 9-inch layers)
• 6 large eggs, room temperature
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup dark rum
• CREAM FILLING (Pasticciera): (Makes 4 cups)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 3 cups whole milk
• 5 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 ounces chopped milk chocolate
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• GARNISH:
• 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• CHOCOLATE GANACHE:
• 1/4 cup chopped semisweet chocolate
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• OPTIONAL BUTTERCREAM ICING: (Makes about 3-1/2 cups)
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Preparation

Step 1

CAKE:
Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Butter two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottom of the pans with circles of waxed paper or parchment.

Using an electric mixer with a large bowl, begin to beat the eggs at low speed. Gradually add the sugar and then add the vanilla. Increase the speed to high. Beat the eggs until very thick and pale yellow, about 7 minutes. Place the flour in a mesh strainer. Shake about 1/3 of the flour over the egg mixture. Gently fold in the flour with a rubber spatula. Repeat, adding the flour in 2 more additions. Fold the mixture until all the flour is incorporated.

Divide the batter between the 2 prepared cake pans; smooth the tops. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. The cake should spring back when pressed with a finger and the top is lightly browned.

Place the cake pans on wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Invert the cakes onto the racks and remove the pans. Carefully peel off the paper. Let cool completely before adding rum, filling, and icing.

PREPARE THE CREAM FILLING:
Combine sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. In a bowl, whisk together milk and egg yolks Whisk milk mixture into sugar mixture. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly. Boil for 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Transfer 2/3 of the pastry cream to a bowl. Add the chopped chocolate to the cream remaining in the saucepan.

Stir the mixture until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Transfer the chocolate pastry cream to another bowl. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pastry creams. Allow to cool for 30 minutes and then refrigerate until cold.

ASSEMBLE THE CAKE:
Cut both cake layers in half horizontally. Place one of the layers on a serving dish, cut side up. Brush some of the rum over the cake (you want to moisten it without soaking it.) Spread half of the vanilla pastry cream evenly over the cake. Top with a second layer of cake, cut side up. Brush some of the rum over the cake. Spread all of the chocolate pastry cream over the cake. Top with the third layer of cake, cut side up. Brush some of the rum over the cake. Spread the remaining vanilla pastry cream evenly over the cake. Top with the final layer of cake, cut side down. Refrigerate the cake while you prepare the icing.

To make the icing and garnish the cake:
Beat the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla together until stiff peaks form. Frost sides and top of cake, reserving some of the cream to pipe stars. Put the reserved whipped cream in a pastry bag; set aside.

With the palm of your hand, press the almonds onto the side of the cake.
Using the pastry bag, pipe stars around the bottom and top edge of the cake.

MAKE THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE:
Put the chopped chocolate and cream in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 25-30 seconds. Stir until smooth. Heat for additional time if the chocolate is not completely melted and smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Apply the chocolate ganache in a decorative design to the top of the cake.
You may also use the ganache to write a Happy Birthday or other message on the top.

Refrigerate the cake until serving.

OPTIONAL BUTTERCREAM ICING:

If you'd rather have a buttercream frosting instead of a whipped cream frosting, this is the recipe I'd recommend. It gives the finished cake a different flavor.

With an electric mixer, beat together the shortening and butter until light and fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until well incorporated. Add the salt, vanilla, and cream. Blend on low until the mixture is smooth. Increase the speed to high, and beat until the icing is fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.