Raspberry-White Chocolate Cream Cake

Preparation

1. In 1 1/2-quart saucepan, mix 1/4 cup sugar, the cornstarch and 1/8 teaspoon salt; stir in 1 cup wine cooler. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter, 1/8 teaspoon almond extract and 2 or 3 drops red food color. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
2. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour bottoms and sides of two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans. In 1-quart saucepan, melt 3 ounces baking bars over low heat, stirring occasionally; cool.
3. In medium bowl, mix flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, the baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside. In chilled large bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; set aside. In medium bowl, beat eggs on high speed about 5 minutes or until thick and lemon colored; beat in melted baking bars and 1 teaspoon almond extract on low speed.
4. Fold egg mixture into whipped cream. Add flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time, folding gently after each addition until blended. Pour into pans.
5. Bake 8-inch rounds 35 to 40 minutes, 9-inch rounds 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 hour.
6. In 1-quart saucepan, melt 3 ounces baking bars over low heat, stirring occasionally; cool. Beat melted baking bars and remaining frosting ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and spreadable. If necessary, stir in additional wine cooler, 1 teaspoon at a time.
7. Fill cake layers with raspberry filling. Spread frosting over side and top of cake.

Tips

• Sprinkle with toasted almonds for an extravagant touch.
• Raspberry-flavored soda pop can be substituted for the raspberry wine cooler in the filling and frosting recipes. Simply pour the soda pop into a glass and let it stand about 1 hour to release some of the fizz before using.

Nutrition Information