Very Vanilla Cake With Fudgy Frosting

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• Step 1

  Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil two 8-inch-diameter cake pans with nonstick cooking spray or coconut oil.

  To make the cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour blend, baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt. In a small bowl, mix the milk with the vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste. Set both bowls aside.
  In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl. While beating on low, add the egg whites. When all the whites have been added, increase the speed to medium and beat for 30 seconds. Scrape down the bowl.

• Step 2

  Add one-fourth of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat on low until almost fully incorporated. Add one-third of the milk mixture and beat on low until almost fully incorporated. Repeat with the remaining flour and milk mixtures, starting and ending with the flour. When all the ingredients have been added, scrape down the bowl and beat on medium for 15 seconds.

• Step 3

  Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake in the center of the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until the tops are light golden and a toothpick inserted into the center tests clean. Cool the cakes on a wire rack for 10 minutes, and then invert the cakes onto the rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, make the frosting.

• Step 4

  To assemble a two-layer cake, spread 3/ 4 cup frosting between the layers and on the top of the cake, and then generously frost the sides, referring to the instructions on page 173 for guidance. To create a four-layer cake, split each cake layer in half horizontally, following the procedure on page 173. Use 1/ 2 cup frosting between each layer and on top of the cake, and then generously frost the sides.

• Step 5

  You can store the frosted cake in an airtight container (or tented in plastic wrap) at room temperature for 1 to 2 days or in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. Or the cake layers can be frozen prior to filling and icing; wrap tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before removing the plastic and filling and icing the cake. The frosting can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 5 days or frozen for 1 month. Bring to room temperature and beat in the bowl of a stand mixer to restore proper texture before using.

• Step 6

  Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend

  I use this blend whenever I would typically use all-purpose flour—only this one is 100 percent gluten free! For the best flavor and texture, I use Arrowhead Mills organic rice flour and tapioca and all-natural potato starch from Bob’s Red Mill.

  In a large bowl, whisk the rice flour with the tapioca and potato starches until well combined. Store in an airtight container in your pantry or another cool, dark place up to 1 month.
  For longer-term storage, keep in the refrigerator up to 6 months or in the freezer up to 1 year. Before using, bring to room temperature. Just before measuring, whisk the flour blend to aerate it in case it has settled. Sifting is not necessary if you whisk.
  Vanilla Bean Paste I have only recently begun to use this beautiful product in my baking—and I highly recommend that you order some right now! It combines the tiny seeds from the vanilla pod with pure vanilla extract to create a paste with a wonderful flavor and aroma; the seeds contribute lovely little brown specks to your crème anglaise or buttercream. Thanks to its thick consistency, which is similar to molasses, you can use this paste to add vanilla flavor to cake batters or sauces without thinning them out.

• Step 7

  Fudgy Frosting
  MAKES 4 CUPS

  In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, sugar, coconut milk, and espresso powder, stirring until the butter melts and the sugar and espresso have dissolved. Bring to a simmer, and then remove from the heat and add the baking chocolate and chocolate chips. Let the mixture sit with the chocolate fully submerged for 2 minutes, and then whisk until smooth. If the baking chocolate hasn’t fully melted after whisking, return the saucepan to the stove top and heat over medium heat, whisking until the chocolate is fully incorporated. Whisk in the vanilla.

  Pour the chocolate mixture into a large bowl. Sift the confectioners’ sugar over the chocolate in three batches, whisking after each addition. Place plastic wrap over the frosting and refrigerate for about 40 minutes, or until thick enough to frost the cake, stirring after 20 minutes and again at the end of chilling. The frosting will be dense and firm.

  If you prefer a lighter texture and color, whip the chilled frosting in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment until lightened. Use immediately after whipping, as the frosting will firm up again if you allow it to sit.

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