Description
Dragon fruit’s delicate blush transforms this elegant layer cake into a tropical masterpiece. Sweet, light layers showcase exotic flavors that dance across your palate, promising a memorable dessert experience you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 2 cups (240 grams) cake flour
- 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) dragon fruit puree
Leavening Agents:
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Flavor and Color Enhancers:
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring (optional)
Additional Seasoning:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and prepare three 8-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring them thoroughly.
- Combine cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, whisking until fully integrated.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and voluminous. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete blending after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk and dragon fruit puree. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Optional: Add pink food coloring for enhanced visual appeal.
- Evenly distribute the cake batter among the prepared pans, carefully smoothing the surfaces with a spatula to ensure uniform thickness.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake’s center. When the toothpick emerges clean, remove from oven. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling.
- Prepare the dragon fruit buttercream by whipping softened butter until creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, dragon fruit puree, vanilla extract, and optional pink food coloring. Beat until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
- Assemble the cake by placing the first layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of dragon fruit buttercream on top. Carefully position the second cake layer and repeat the frosting process.
- Cover the entire cake’s top and sides with the remaining dragon fruit buttercream, creating a smooth and even finish.
- Enhance the presentation by garnishing with fresh dragon fruit slices and delicate edible flowers, adding a sophisticated touch to the dessert.
Notes
- Enhance cake’s moisture by replacing buttermilk with Greek yogurt for a richer, tangier texture that keeps the layers soft and tender.
- Freeze dragon fruit puree in ice cube trays for precise measuring and consistent flavor distribution throughout the cake batter.
- Prevent color fading by adding a touch of gel food coloring instead of liquid, ensuring vibrant pink hues that remain stable during baking.
- Optimize flavor intensity by roasting dragon fruit slices briefly before garnishing, which concentrates their natural sweetness and creates a caramelized accent.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 314 kcal
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 192 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg