Best Cream Cheese Filling Recipes

PUMPKIN WHOOPIE PIES WITH CREAM-CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Make the cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat; set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves; set aside. In another large bowl, whisk together oil, pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla until well combined. Add brown sugar and whisk until combined. Sprinkle flour mixture over pumpkin mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.
• Using a 1/4-cup ice cream scoop with a release mechanism, drop dough onto prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Transfer to oven and bake until cookies are just starting to crack on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of each cookie comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely on pan.
• Make the filling: Sift confectioners' sugar into a medium bowl; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth. Add cream cheese and beat until well combined. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla, beat just until smooth. (Filling can be made up to a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate; let stand at room temperature to soften before using.)
• Assemble the whoopie pies: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Transfer filling to a disposable pastry bag and snip the end. When cookies have cooled completely, pipe a large dollop of filling on the flat side of half of the cookies. Sandwich with remaining cookies, pressing down slightly so that the filling spreads to the edge of the cookies. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate cookies at least 30 minutes before serving and up to 3 days.

PEANUT BUTTER MOON PIE: CHOCOLATE CAKE, GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST, PEANUT BUTTER CREAM CHEESE FILLING, MARSHMALLOW FROSTING

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin pans with 36 muffin liners. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar and butter in a bowl. Mix with your hands until well combined. Press 2 tablespoons of the mixture into the cupcake liners and bake for 7 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• For the chocolate cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla and coffee and mix for about a minute until well combined. Fill the 36 muffin pans with the pre-baked graham cracker crust three-quarters full with batter and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
• For the peanut butter cream cheese filling: Whip the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment until fully incorporated. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until combined. Add the vanilla and mix until combined. Finally, add the peanut butter and mix until fully incorporated.
• For the marshmallow frosting: In small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, 5 ounces water and the cream of tarter and boil until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and vanilla until firm peaks form. With mixer on high, slowly stream the hot sugar mixture into the egg whites and mix for about 3 minutes.
• To assemble: Use a knife to cut a hole out of the center of the cupcakes. Fill with peanut butter cream cheese filling with a spoon and frost with marshmallow frosting.

CARROT BUNDT® CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a fluted tube pan (such as Bundt®).
• Combine cream cheese, sugar, and egg in a bowl for filling, mixing until well blended. Set aside.
• Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt for cake in a bowl. Add oil and eggs; mix until moistened. Fold in carrots. Reserve 2 cups of batter; pour remaining batter into the prepared pan. Pour cream cheese mixture over batter. Spoon reserved batter carefully over cream cheese mixture, spreading to cover.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from the pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

STRAWBERRY-CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Put cream cheese, butter, and sugar into mixer bowl; mix until creamy. Mix in vanilla. Puree strawberries in a food processor; strain. Mix 3/4 cup puree into cream cheese mixture (reserve remaining puree for Swiss-Meringue Buttercream). Use immediately or refrigerate airtight up to 3 days; stir before using.

CARROT CAKE OATMEAL WHOOPIE PIES, WITH PINEAPPLE CREAM CHEESE FILLING RECIPE - (4.4/5)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat. (I used a Norpro Muffin Top baking pan, but this isn't mandatory.) In the bowl of a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment (or a hand held mixer), combine the sugars and butter. Beat until fluffy--about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vanilla and eggs, and beat until well combined. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger and whisk together. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture; mix on low speed until just combined. Stir in the oats, carrots and raisins with a spatula. Using a medium ice cream scoop, scoop dough onto the prepared sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between cookies. Gently press the cookies until flat. Bake between 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even baking. They should be lightly golden brown around the edges. NOTE: These make 8 HUGE whoopie pies, so user a smaller scoop to make smaller whoopie pies. Reduce the baking time between 10-12 minutes each. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. To make the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth. Add cream cheese and beat until well combined. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla, beat just until smooth. (Filling can be made up to a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate; let stand at room temperature to soften before using.) To assemble the whoopie pies, turn one cookie with the baked bottom facing up. Scoop some filling, and gently press another cookie on top. Wrap in plastic wrap. Keep whoopie pies refrigerated, and bring to room temperature about 30 minutes before eating. Stores for up to 5 days, refrigerated.

BEER BATTER CREPES WITH BANANA CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Whisk flour, beer, eggs, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl to form a smooth batter.
• Toss bananas with enough lemon juice to coat in a separate bowl.
• Beat the cream cheese and brown sugar together in a separate bowl until light and fluffy; fold whipped topping into cream cheese mixture to form the cheese filling. Set aside.
• Heat white sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until melted and brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove sauce pan from heat and stir boiling water into melted sugar. Return to heat and stir until it forms a smooth and clear syrup.
• Whisk cornstarch and 1/2 cup water together in a small bowl; add to syrup in saucepan. Simmer over low heat, stirring constantly, until thick and clear, 5 to 7 minutes. Whisk butter into syrup to form a caramel sauce.
• Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in an 8-inch crepe pan over medium heat. Pour about 1/4 cup crepe batter into heated oil. Tip and rotate the skillet until batter covers the entire area. Cook until the batter turns from wet to moist, and the edges begin to curl away from the sides of the skillet. Flip crepe and continue cooking until lightly golden on the other side. Place crepe onto a plate, and cover with a kitchen towel to keep moist. Repeat with remaining batter, lightly oiling the skillet as needed with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil each time to keep the crepes from sticking.
• Assemble crepes by spreading about 2 tablespoons caramel sauce over each crepe. Spread 1/8 the cream cheese filling onto the caramel layer; top with 1/8 the bananas. Roll the crepe around the bananas and place seam-side down on a serving platter. Repeat with remaining crepes and ingredients. Drizzle remaining caramel sauce over crepes.

ALMOND CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE, GANACHE AND FRESH STRAWBERRY FILLING, VANILLA BUTTERCREAM ICING AND PINK POURED FONDANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Prepare two 16-inch cake pans by greasing them and lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fixed with the paddle attachment, add the liquid shortening, inverted sugar and vanilla. Then add the cake flour, granulated sugar, milk powder, baking powder, sea salt and cream of tartar. Mix on speed 1 for 1 minute. Then add half of the egg whites and mix on speed 1 for 3 minutes.
• Add the remaining egg whites and mix on speed 1 for 1 minute. Then mix on speed 3 for 3 minutes. Stop the mixer, scrape the bowl, and add the whole eggs, water and almond extract. Mix on speed 1 for 1 minute. Then on speed 3 for 3 minutes. Lastly, mix on speed 1 for 10 minutes.
• Fill the cake pans two-thirds full and bake until golden and a tester such as a toothpick comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Let the cakes cool completely.
• To assemble the cake: Torte the cooled cakes (level and split them horizontally into 2 layers each). Generously spread a layer of the Ganache on the first layer of cake, then a generous layer of Cream Cheese Filling. Layer some fresh strawberries on top of the Cream Cheese Filling. Repeat with the next 2 cake layers. Top with the last cake layer and ice the cake smooth with the Vanilla Buttercream Icing. Lastly, pour a thin layer of Pink Poured Fondant over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides.
• In a microwave-safe glass bowl, heat the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals until melted, stirring between each intervals. Add the cream and mix with a spatula until smooth. Let cool.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the shortening and cream cheese until smooth. Then add the confectioners' sugar, sea salt, vanilla and butter emulsion. Mix it all on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the shortening until smooth. Then add the confectioners' sugar, sea salt, vanilla and butter emulsion.
• Mix it all on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the confectioners' sugar, then the water, corn syrup, almond extract, vanilla, liquid whitener and food coloring. Mix it all on medium speed until smooth, about 10 minutes. Yield: enough for one 16-inch layer cake.

DANISH - CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese until smooth.
• Mix sugar.
• Add egg yolk.
• Chill.

RED VELVET CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING AND FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, eggs, cocoa and food color on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about two-thirds full). Bake and cool completely as directed on box for cupcakes.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla with electric mixer on high speed until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Beat in 1 tablespoon of the milk. Add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until frosting is piping consistency.
• Fit round tip (opening about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter) in decorating bag. Spoon about 1 1/4 cups frosting into bag. Insert tip in center of 1 cupcake, about halfway down. Gently squeeze decorating bag, pulling upwards until cupcake swells slightly and filling comes to the top. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.
• Fit round tip (opening about 1/2 inch in diameter) into decorating bag. Spoon remaining frosting into bag; generously pipe frosting in circular motion on top of each cupcake, leaving 1/4-inch border around edge. Top with colored sugar. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

PEACH AND BLUEBERRY TART WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Beat butter with confectioners' sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low; add flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt and beat until just combined and crumbly (do not overmix). Press evenly into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch square tart pan with a removable bottom. Dock bottom at 1-inch intervals with the tines of a fork. Freeze 15 minutes.
• Bake until golden brown and set, 30 to 33 minutes. Let cool completely. (Crust can be kept at room temperature, wrapped in plastic, for up to 3 days.)
• Beat together cream cheese, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon juice, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar on medium-high speed until creamy. With mixer running, slowly add cream and beat until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. (You should have about 2 cups.) Spread mixture into crust; refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, using a vegetable peeler, peel peaches, if desired; cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Transfer to a bowl and stir in berries and remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Just before serving, spoon macerated fruit over tart and drizzle some of juice from bowl over it. Sprinkle with mint and serve, with any remaining fruit on the side.

BORSCHT CUPCAKES, APPLE PIE FILLING, CINNAMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING AND CHEDDAR CHEESE PIE CRUST MOON

Steps:

• For the cheddar cheese pie crust: In a food processor, pulse the flour and salt until well combined. Add the butter and cheese and pulse until small pea-size balls form. Gradually add the ice water, up to 3 tablespoons. Remove the dough from the food processor bowl, fold the dough, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Dust the work space with flour. Roll out the pie dough and cut desired shapes with a cookie cutter. Place the shapes on a baking sheet, brush with water, dust with cinnamon-sugar and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin pans with 24 muffin liners. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well combined. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, add the carrots, beets, oil and granulated sugar and whisk on medium for 1 minute until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the sour cream, lemon juice and lemon zest and mix for about a minute until well combined. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture just until combined. Then remove from the mixer and scrape by hand. Fill the prepared muffin pans three-quarters full with batter and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 24 minutes.
• For the frosting: Whip the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment until fully incorporated. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until combined. Add the vanilla and mix until combined. Finally, add the cinnamon and mix until fully incorporated.
• For the apple filling: In medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the apples, sugar and 1/8 cup water. Bring to a boil and stir until the water has evaporated and the apples are soft. Add the cinnamon and refrigerate until cool.
• To assemble: Use a knife to make a hole out of the center of the cupcakes. Fill with apple pie filling, and then frost with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Top with a Cheddar cheese shape.

HONOR: COCONUT CAKE WITH COCONUT CREME FILLING AND CREAM CHEESE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with 24 regular-size cupcake liners.
• Spread the shredded coconut on a baking sheet and lightly toast in the oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove and cool.
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the sugar, all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder and salt. On low speed, add the butter in small chunks. Then add the eggs one at a time, followed by the egg whites. In a small bowl, combine the milk and coconut extract. Add the mixture to the mixing bowl and mix until combined.
• Fill the cupcake liners approximately half full with batter and bake until the cupcakes are set and a toothpick is removed cleanly, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• Once cooled, carve a shallow hole into each cupcake and fill with Coconut Creme Filling. Then, frost the cupcakes with the Cream Cheese Buttercream and garnish with toasted coconut.
• In a heavy-bottom pot, heat the heavy cream, sugar, and butter until the sugar has melted and the mixture is combined. In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch, 1 tablespoon water and vanilla extract. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the hot liquid and bring to a boil. Continue cooking the mixture until thick, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut. Let the mixture cool completely before using.
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and salt. Gradually add the powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached.

RUGELACH WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Beat the margarine and 1 package of cream cheese with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in the flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, and vanilla. Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Mix 1 package of cream cheese with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, cinnamon, hot chocolate mix, and chocolate chips. Set aside.
• Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Divide dough into four equal portions. Roll each portion of dough into a 10 to 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Spread a thin layer of the chocolate filling on each circle. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Roll each wedge, starting with the wide end. Place the cookie point-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

PUMPKIN QUICK LOAF WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Set oven to 325 degrees.
• Grease two 8x4-in loaf pans, or use mini loaf pans if desired.
• In a med bowl, combine all filling ingredients until smooth; set aside.
• In another bowl, sift 1-2/3 cup flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg; set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, oil, 2 eggs and 1-1/2 cups sugar, beat well.
• Stir the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture just until combined.
• Fold in nuts, if using.
• Pour half of the pumpkin bread batter evenly into prepared loaf pans.
• Spoon cream cheese mixture on top of batter, and then pour on the remaining pumpkin batter.
• Bake for 60-70 mins (if using the 8x4 pans), bake for a shorter time for mini loaf pans.
• Cool in pans for 10-15 minutes.
• Remove to a rack to cool completely.
• Store loaf bread in fridge, wrapped tightly.

CARROT CAKE WITH PECAN CREAM FILLING AND CREAM CHEESE ICING

Steps:

• For Pecan Cream Filling: A day before you make the cake, blend the sugar, flour and salt in a heavy saucepan.
• Gradually stir in the cream.
• Add the butter.
• Cook and stir the mixture over low heat until the butter has melted; then let simmer 20 to 30 minutes until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
• Cool to lukewarm.
• Stir in the pecans and vanilla.
• Let the mixture cool completely.
• Refrigerate it overnight.
• If it is too thick to spread, bring it to room temperature before using.
• For Carrot Cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Butter and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the corn oil and the sugar.
• In another bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Sift half the dry ingredients into the oil-sugar mixture, then blend well.
• Sift in the rest of the dry ingredients while adding the eggs, one at a time.
• Mix well.
• Add the carrots and pecans and mix again. (If you like raisins in your cake, feel free to throw some in now).
• Pour the batter into the prepared tube pan.
• Bake for 70 minutes, or until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.
• Cool upright, in the pan, on a rack.
• While the cake is baking, prepare the icing.
• Icing: Cream together the butter and cream cheese until well blended and fluffy.
• Sift in the confectioners' sugar.
• Cream again. Then beat in the vanilla and the salt. If the icing is too soft to spread, chill it for a few minutes.
• Refrigerate it if you don't plan to use it right away, but bring it back to room temperature before using.
• Assembly: Run knife around inside of pan to loosen cake.
• Invert onto serving plate.
• With a long serrated knife, carefully split the cake into 3 horizontal layers.
• Spread the filling between the layers. (You may not need it all).
• Frost the top and sides of the cake with the icing.

PUMPKIN BREAD RING WITH MAPLE CREAM CHEESE FILLING RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
• Make the maple cream cheese filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla, and maple syrup. Stir until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
• Make the pumpkin cake: Sift the flour into a large bowl and add the brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine.
• In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, water, and vanilla. Whisk well.
• Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, folding with a rubber spatula just until combined. Do not overmix the batter.
• Generously grease a bundt pan with nonstick spray.
• Add 3 cups (675 G) of pumpkin batter to the pan and spread evenly. Then, scoop the cream cheese filling over the batter, making a ring. Top with the remaining batter and spread to cover the filling.
• Bake for 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
• Remove the cake from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before inverting to remove from the pan.
• Slice and serve.
• Enjoy!

VANILLA BUNDT CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE-CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Filling: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In the bowl of a food processor, combine cream cheese and sugar; pulse to combine. Add egg, sour cream, and flour; process until smooth. Pulse in chocolate. (You should have 1 1/2 cups.)
• Cake: Butter a 14-cup Bundt pan. Dust with flour, tapping out excess. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs lightly, then whisk in milk.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat sugar and vanilla seeds on low speed to combine. Add flour mixture; beat to combine, about 30 seconds. Continue beating while gradually adding butter until crumbly, about 3 minutes. Slowly add half of milk mixture; increase speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy, about 1 minute. Slowly add remaining milk mixture, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds more.
• Dollop half of batter into pan, smoothing top with an offset spatula. Create a 1-inch-deep well around center with the back of a spoon. Spoon filling into ring (it will overflow -- that's okay), then dollop with remaining batter, spreading with spatula to cover. Bake until a tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool in pan on wire rack 15 minutes. Turn out onto rack; let cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours. Place cake on rack on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment.
• Ganache Glaze: Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat cream and vanilla in a small pot until simmering; pour over chocolate and let stand 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth and chocolate has melted. Pour glaze over cake, allowing it to drip down sides. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Cake is best served the same day at room temperature, but can also be refrigerated, wrapped in plastic, up to 2 days.

PUMPKIN BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine crushed gingersnaps, pecans, and melted butter for crust in a bowl. Mix until evenly moistened; press into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crust is lightly browned and smells toasted, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool while preparing cream cheese layer. Leave the oven on.
• Combine cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract for cream cheese layer in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Spread over cooled crust and place in the refrigerator while preparing pumpkin layer.
• Beat pumpkin, evaporated milk, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a bowl until well blended. Beat in sugar and eggs. Pour over cream cheese layer.
• Return to the oven and bake until pumpkin layer is set, about 50 minutes. Cut into bars.

SPICE CAKE WITH BLACKBERRY FILLING AND CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Sift first 7 ingredients into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add brown sugar and beat until well blended. Beat in egg yolks. Beat in flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with sour cream in 2 additions. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites in medium bowl until stiff but not dry; fold into batter in 2 additions. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
• Bake cake until top is golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool cake 10 minutes. Cut around pan sides; release pan sides. Cool cake completely on rack.
• Make filling:
• Mix berries and sugar in bowl. Mash fruit coarsely with fork. Let stand 20 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Make frosting:
• Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in sugar, then sour cream and vanilla.
• Cut cake horizontally into 3 equal layers. Place bottom layer, cut side up, on platter. Spread 1 cup frosting over. Spread half of filling (about 3/4 cup) over frosting, leaving 1/4-inch plain border at edge. Top with second cake layer and 1 cup frosting, then remaining filling. Top with third cake layer, cut side down. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate until frosting sets, about 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover loosely; keep chilled until 1 hour before serving.) Garnish cake with 1/2 pint berries.

FIG TART WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Cream together butter and granulated sugar in bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, about 2 minutes. Add yolks, and mix just to combine. Whisk together dry ingredients, and add to yolk mixture; mix just until it comes together loosely. Transfer the dough to plastic wrap, press together, and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes, until firm.
• Prepare a 4 1/2-by-14-inch rectangular fluted tart tin with cooking spray. Roll out dough between two pieces of plastic wrap to about 1/8-inch thickness. Discard the top plastic wrap, and gently invert dough over the prepared tart tin. Discard the remaining piece of plastic wrap. Press dough into tin, and trim so dough is flush with edges. Repair tears or cracks by pressing together dough with your fingers. Place in the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prick crust all over with a fork, and bake on the middle rack of oven until crust begins to color, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. When cool, remove from the pan. Place on a serving platter or board.
• Place cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer, and beat until smooth. Add creme fraiche and confectioners' sugar, and beat until mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes. Spread filling into cooled crust, and arrange figs on top, pressing them in slightly.
• To make glaze, combine the jam and wine in a small saucepan. Set over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat, and simmer until mixture is thick and syrupy, about 2 minutes. Cool slightly, and brush warm glaze over figs with a pastry brush. Chill the tart in the refrigerator if not serving right away. Serve within several hours.