Heaven & Hell Cake with Raspberry Mousse
FOR THE GANACHE:
2 lbs. milk chocolate, such as Valrhona, chopped (I used Nestle’s chips for cost)
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
FOR THE ANGEL FOOD CAKE:
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup cake flour
1 1/2 cups egg whites
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract (I used a total of 3 tsp. of vanilla, no almond since my sister’s allergic)
FOR THE DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE:
1/2 cup vegetable shortening, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups cake flour, plus more for pan
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 cup coffee
1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
Process first 3 ingredients in food processor until smooth. Transfer raspberry mixture to a large bowl; fold in whipped topping. Cover and chill. Note: To eliminate the raspberry seeds – puree the raspberries first, then run through a strainer, place back into the processor and continue as described above. Or if you prefer…..
1 1/2 lbs. cream cheese, at room temperature
4 cups smooth peanut butter, at room temperature
3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1. Make the ganache: Place the chocolate in a medium-size bowl. Bring cream to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan; pour cream over the chocolate and let sit to melt for 5 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, combine the chocolate and cream. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to let rest for 4 hours.
2. Make the angel food cake: Heat oven to 325°. Line bottom of a 10″ round cake pan with ungreased parchment paper. In a medium bowl, sift together confectioners’ sugar and flour; set flour mixture aside. In a large bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt with a handheld mixer on low speed until frothy. Increase mixer speed to medium, sprinkle in sugar, vanilla, and almond extract, and beat until stiff peaks form. Sprinkle half of the confectioners’ sugar–flour mixture over egg whites; using a rubber spatula, fold until just combined. Repeat with remaining flour mixture. Pour batter into prepared cake pan and bake until top of cake springs back when touched, 45–50 minutes. Transfer cake to a rack and let cool.
3. Make the devil’s food cake: Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 10″ round cake pan with shortening and dust with flour to coat; shake out excess flour and set pan aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder; set flour mixture aside. In another medium bowl, whisk the coffee and cocoa powder until smooth; set coffee mixture aside. In a large bowl, beat the shortening, sugar, vanilla, and eggs with a handheld mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 2 minutes. Alternately add the flour mixture and the coffee mixture to the bowl in 3 stages, beating to combine after each addition. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean, 30–35 minutes; transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
4. Make the raspberry (follow instructions above) or peanut butter mousse: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, raspberry or peanut butter, and confectioners’ sugar with a handheld mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Put cream into a large bowl and beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture; set mousse aside in the refrigerator.
5. Assemble the cake: Using a serrated-blade knife, slice each cake horizontally into 2 layers. Place 1 layer of the devil’s food cake on a cake stand and spread 1/3 of the raspberry or peanut butter mousse over the top with a butter knife. Top mousse with a layer of the angel food cake and spread with half of the remaining mousse. Repeat with the remaining devil’s food cake, mousse, and angel food cake. Wrap cake in plastic wrap and freeze for 2 hours. Stir ganache until smooth and spread evenly over the top and sides of the cake with a butter knife. Refrigerate the cake for 2 hours before slicing.
Hi, I’m Vicki Bensinger! I have been teaching culinary classes throughout Missouri since 1992. I offer personalized private culinary classes for individuals and small groups in the comfort of your home or organization.
Wow! What a beautiful cake! I love that you used raspberry mousse in it.
Vicki – this is an AMAZING cake! I can see where it would be labor intensive, but when a special occasion rolls around…I bet there’s nothing better! Really a stunning, STUNNING cake!
It actually wasn’t as labor intensive as I thought it would be. Although definitely making one cake rather than 2 is a lot quicker. As for the mousse, Dulce Dough it’s a quick easy way to make it and tastes light and delicious!
It truely is a stunning cake for a special occasion.
Thanks for your posts!
Oh my! What a beautiful cake, and what a name 🙂
The name of the cake has me giggling but it does look really good. Good thing you finally got the perfect opportunity to try out the recipe and share with so many.
Thank you for the comment you left on my farewell post. You understand exactly how I feel and thank you for your honesty. I hope your new dog has brought some comfort and smiles back to your life.
@Magic of Spice – thank you, it really is a pretty cake
@Magic of Spice & Spicie Foodie – the name of the cake is what Stephan Pyles gave it. I’m not quite sure how it got it’s name though.
OMG if I had the energy, I would seriously make this now. YUM!
The name come from the two types of cakes used: the Angel’s food and Devil’s food cakes, with purgatory being the peanut butter mousse, or in this case the raspberry mousse (:
i really want to make this cake for my birthday and if possible is there any additional tips u can give me since i’m beginner…can u make a video/
Hi Sharmilla,
I won’t have time to make this cake into a video right now. It is time consuming but you can do it. First read through the recipe several times so you understand the process and steps. Allow yourself at least 2 days to make it or 3.
Follow each step carefully doing it over a couple of days won’t make it feel overwhelming. If you have trouble call or email. I’m happy to help.