Pink Little Cake: Very Vanilla Cake-Peeps Hop Party and Giveaway

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

I was invited to another Blog Party!!

Christi (Love from the Oven) and Michelle (Sugar Swings) are hosting a SPRING HOP ALONG PEEPS PARTY, I couldn't say no because we all love Peeps, don't we?

I have to accept that I ate my first Peep last year, and those fluffy marshmallow chicks and bunnies are super cute and addictive.

My contribution for the party couldn't be any easier to make, simple and full of flavour. One layer vanilla cake, a ring of vanilla buttercream and a happy Peep Chick sitting in a pool of silk and delicious pastry cream.

Nothing wrong with that.

I had left over cake and pastry cream from some baked goods I had made last week,so putting this cake together took me just a few minutes. My little ones and I ate half of it in one sitting, I did wanted to eat more, but my tight pants reminded me to stop.

Use your favorite Vanilla cake recipe, or switch to chocolate cake for more intense flavor.

Here is the recipe for this yummy silk custard

Vanilla Pastry Cream

(from the book Barefoot Contessa in Paris)

5 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature
¾ cup sugar
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1½ cups scalded milk
½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp. Cognac
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. heavy cream

-In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the egg yolks and sugar on medium-high speed for 4 minutes, or until very thick. Reduce to low speed and add the cornstarch.

-With the mixer still on low, slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture.

- Pour the mixture into a medium saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens, 5 to 7 minutes. Don’t be alarmed when the custard comes to a boil and appears to curdle; switch to a whisk and beat vigorously. Cook, whisking constantly, for another 2 minutes; the custard will come together and become very thick, like pudding. Stir in the vanilla, Cognac, butter, and heavy cream.

-Pour the custard through a sieve into a bowl. Place plastic wrap directly on the custard and refrigerate until cold.

Assembling the cake

Pipe a ring of buttercream around the cake, fill the inside with pastry cream, top with a cute Peep Chick and enjoy!!

Ready for more fabulous PEEPS recipes and ideas??? Visit the following websites, each is sharing an amazing PEEPS post for you today, so hop on over and check them all out!

Don't forget to enter to win the fabulous PEEPS Prize Pack as well! Happy Spring!

PEEPS bunnies in Chocolate Easter Eggs from The Decorated Cookie

PEEPS Cupcakes from Hoosier Homemade

Spring PEEPS Truffles from Java Cupcake

Pavlova Peeps Nests from Crazy for Crust

PEEPS S'mores from The Southern Institute

Giant PEEPS Cereal Treat from Dollhouse Bake Shoppe

PEEPS Candy Bars from The Domestic Rebel

Rice Krispies PEEPS from Creative Food

Easter Cake with White Chocolate PEEPS from Bird on a Cake

Hula Bunny PEEPS from Sugar Swings! Serve Some

Peeping Peeps from Miss Candiquik

Bird House S'mores on a Stick From Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons