Baking Classics
The Technique
Queen Of Sheba Petit Fours
Queen Of Sheba Cake often referred to as Gateau Reine De Saba is a classic French dessert prepared with almonds & butter. It relies on beaten egg whites to provide a bit of lift when baked. The decadent confection is named for Sheba known biblically to have brought gold, precious stones, spices & other opulent items to Jerusalem & has such a rich taste & texture, it doesn’t need to be split & filled. However, the cake is often finished with a simple chocolate glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar. Generally prepared in a springform pan, Queen Of Sheba Petit Fours are baked in an 8-inch square pan so a precise number of little cakes may be created. Learn how to make a classic French cake in a fresh new way that are perfect to serve for wedding parties, showers & all throughout the year when elevated entertaining & celebrations are in order.
Queen Of Sheba Petit Fours
makes 16 petit fours
A smidgen of flour binds the batter beautifully while using both almond flour & slightly larger, ground almonds provides a wonderful texture & taste to the dense, rich classic cake.
1 1/4 cups 60% bittersweet chocolate morsels, divided
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar, divided
3 eggs, separated
1/2 cup almond flour
1/4 cup finely ground almonds
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
A pinch of kosher salt
2 Tbsp bourbon or rum
1/2 cup heavy cream
Garnish: Sliced almonds
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8-inch square pan, line with parchment paper then lightly grease the paper. Set aside. Microwave 3/4 cup chocolate in a medium bowl on High in 30 second intervals until melted. Whisk until smooth. Set aside. Beat the butter & 1/2 cup sugar with an electric stand mixer until light & airy, about 3 minutes. Occasionally stop the mixer & scrape down the bowl sides. Add the egg yolks. Mix just until incorporated. Combine the almond flour, the ground almonds, the all purpose flour & the salt in a small bowl. Set aside. Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar & beat on High until stiff peaks form.
Fold the melted chocolate into the butter mixture, then blend in the almond mixture until incorporated. Fold the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Stir in the bourbon. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan. Spread the batter to the edges using an offset spatula. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until the center is just set & slightly puffed. Remove from the oven. Cool 10 minutes. Gently lift the cake from the pan using the paper as handles & transfer to an inverted quarter sheet pan. Freeze 30 minutes.
Invert the cake onto a cutting board & remove the remaining piece of parchment paper. Invert the cake again so that the top side is facing upwards. Cut 16 {1 5/8-inch} circles from the cake. Place them on a wire rack with the bottom side facing upwards over a piece of parchment paper. Microwave the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate morsels & the heavy cream in a small glass bowl 30 to 40 seconds. Whisk until smooth. Spoon a bit of the glaze over each cake allowing it to spill over the sides. Tap the rack several times on the countertop to remove the air bubbles or pierce them with the tip of a wooden pick. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature or until set. Garnish, if desired.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Make Queen Of Sheba Petit Fours
This decadent version of Queen Of Sheba Cake is a lovely way to offer chocolate petit fours to guests. Pair them with other dessert classics such as Chocolate Eclairs, Hazelnut Opera Cake & Madeleines.
The Technique
A few pieces of equipment will be needed in order to complete the task. Read through the recipe before beginning. Her’s what you should know.
No. 1
Pan preparation is essential when preparing baked goods. Always take care of this crucial task before blending ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8-inch square pan, line with parchment paper then lightly grease the paper. Set aside.
1a
Beat the butter & 1/2 cup sugar with an electric stand mixer until light & airy, about 3 minutes. Occasionally stop the mixer & scrape down the bowl sides. Add the egg yolks.
1b
Mix just until incorporated.
No. 2
Using both almond flour & slightly larger, ground almonds provides a wonderful texture & taste to the dense, rich classic cake.
2a
Microwave 3/4 cup chocolate in a medium bowl on High in 30 second intervals until melted. Whisk until smooth. Set aside. Combine the almond flour, the ground almonds, the all purpose flour & the salt in a small bowl. Set aside. Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar & beat on High until stiff peaks form.
2b
Fold the melted chocolate into the butter mixture.
2c
Blend in the almond mixture until incorporated.
2d
Fold the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Stir in the bourbon.
No. 3
Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan.
3a
Spread the batter to the edges using an offset spatula.
3b
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until the center is just set & slightly puffed. Remove from the oven. Cool 10 minutes. Gently lift the cake from the pan using the paper as handles & transfer to an inverted quarter sheet pan. Freeze 30 minutes.
No. 4
Invert the cake onto a cutting board & remove the remaining piece of parchment paper. Invert the cake again so that the top side is facing upwards. Cut 16 {1 5/8-inch} circles from the cake.
4a
Place them on a wire rack with the bottom side facing upwards over a piece of parchment paper.
4b
Microwave the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate morsels & the heavy cream in a small glass bowl 30 to 40 seconds. Whisk until smooth. Spoon a bit of the glaze over each cake allowing it to spill over the sides. Tap the rack several times on the countertop to remove the air bubbles or pierce them with the tip of a wooden pick. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature or until set. Garnish, if desired.
No. 5
Queen Of Sheba Petit Fours may be prepared up to a day in advance & may be stored at room temperature. The sliced almond garnish may be added to the surface of the cakes just before the chocolate glaze is completely set.
The Tune
“I’ve been Loving You Too Long” Etta James
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