PETIT FOURS GLACE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush three 12 1/2-by-9-inch rimmed baking sheets with butter. Line with parchment paper; set aside
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the sugar and almond paste, on medium speed, until well combined. Add the butter, and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition. Add the flour, almond extract, and salt, and beat until just combined.
• Divide evenly between prepared baking sheets, smoothing batter with an offset spatula. Bake until just set, but not browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and transfer to wire racks to cool.
• Purée apricot jam in a food processor. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Turn one cake layer out onto lined baking sheet. Spread half of the apricot jam in an even layer over cake. Top with a second cake layer. Spread with remaining jam. Top with final layer. Place a piece of parchment paper over final layer, and top with a second baking sheet. Weigh down with two large cans. Transfer to refrigerator until cold, at least 1 hour, and up to overnight.
• Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and a cooling rack; set aside. Remove cake from refrigerator and cut into desired shapes. Place on cooling rack; set aside.
• Place the fondant in a heat proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, until pourable. You should have about 4 cups. Tint to desired shade with food coloring. Spoon fondant over cakes, coating evenly. Let stand until set, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a clean baking sheet lined with a piece of parchment paper.
• Place melted chocolate in a small piping bag fitted with a very small plain tip. Pipe decorations onto cakes with chocolate. Let stand until set.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gently fold into batter., Pour into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely., Cut a thin slice off each side of cake. Cut cake into 1-1/4-in. squares. Place 1/2 in. apart on a rack in a 15x10x1-in. pan., In a large bowl, combine glaze ingredients. Beat on low speed just until blended; beat on high until smooth. Apply glaze evenly over tops and sides of cake squares, allowing excess to drip off. Let dry. Repeat if necessary to thoroughly coat squares. Let dry completely., For frosting, in a small bowl, cream the butter, shortening and vanilla. Beat in confectioners' sugar and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Place 1/2 cup each in two bowls; tint one pink and one green., Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert #104 tip. Fill with pink frosting; pipe a rosebud on each petit four. Insert #3 round tip into another pastry or plastic bag; fill with green frosting. Pipe a leaf under each rose.