WHITE CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY LAYER CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, and line the base of a 23cm springform cake tin with baking parchment. Tip the biscuits and freeze-dried raspberries, if using, into a food processor, and blitz to fine crumbs. Pulse in the butter to coat the crumbs, then tip the mixture into the prepared tin and press into an even layer using the back of a spoon. Chill until needed.
• For the filling, put the raspberries, lemon juice and 2 tsp caster sugar in a pan over a medium heat. Cook for 4-5 mins until the berries have softened and become juicy. Transfer to a food processor and blitz until smooth. Tip into a bowl and leave to cool. If you prefer a smooth purée, sieve the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and discard the pips.
• Beat the soft cheese using an electric whisk until loosened, then whisk in 175g sugar, the eggs, yolks, cream and vanilla until smooth. Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl in the microwave in 20-second bursts, or over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Slowly pour a third of the sweetened soft cheese mixture into the melted chocolate, whisking continuously until combined, then pour that into the rest of the soft cheese mixture. Whisk until fully combined.
• Remove the tin from the fridge, and tightly wrap the bottom of the tin with foil to prevent any leaking. Sit the tin in a deep roasting tin. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the biscuit base. Spoon over the raspberry purée, and swirl it into the cheesecake mix using a skewer.
• Put the roasting tin in the oven, then pour enough hot water into the roasting tin to come 2½cm up the side of the cake tin. Bake for 1 hr 15 mins-1 hr 30 mins, or until the edge of the cheesecake is set, but the centre has a slight wobble (it will continue to set in the fridge).
• Put the tin on a wire rack, then run a small, sharp knife around the edge. Leave to cool completely in the tin, then chill for at least 6 hrs before removing from the tin.

Steps:

• Make the cake: Adjust racks to center and lower-third position, and preheat oven to 350°. Line 3, 8” cake pans with parchment, and grease with cooking spray. Place chocolate in a heat-safe bowl and set over a pan of simmering water, ensuring bottom of bowl doesn’t touch water. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. 
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. 
• In another large bowl using a hand mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, then add vanilla. Add half of the dry ingredients and beat until just a few dry streaks remain. Add milk and sour cream, and beat until incorporated. Add remaining dry ingredients and beat until just combined. Divide batter evenly between cake pans, and smooth tops with an offset spatula. 
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean, 28 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack and let cool completely. 
• Make the mousse: Place chocolate in a small heat-safe bowl. In a small pot over medium heat, heat ¼ cup cream until simmering. Pour over chocolate and let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Refrigerate to let cool completely, about 10 minutes. Give the mousse a stir after about 5 minutes to make sure the chocolate isn’t hardening. 
• Meanwhile, place remaining ¾ cup heavy cream in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in cooled chocolate mixture until just combined. 
• Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, or in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat until no lumps remain, then add in vanilla. 
• Make ganache: Place chocolate in a small heat-safe bowl. In a small pot over medium heat, heat ¼ cup cream until simmering. Pour over chocolate and let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth.
• Assemble cake: Using a large serrated knife, level tops of cakes as needed. Place one layer on a serving dish, and top with half of the mousse. Smooth into an even layer. Top with a second layer of cake, then remaining mousse. Top with third layer of cake. 
• Frost top and sides with cream cheese frosting, reserving some to pipe onto top of cake, if desired. Spoon ganache over top of cake, and let drip down the side. 
• If desired, place reserved frosting into a pastry bag with a large open star tip, and pipe dollops around edge of cake. Sprinkle top with chocolate shavings.