FRENCH VANILLA BUTTER CAKE WITH RASPBERRY FILLING

Steps:

• ---Cake---.
• Preheat oven to 350F, grease a 10" springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and vanilla sugar until fluffy.
• Add egg yolks, honey and vanilla, beating well.
• In a cup or small bowl, stir together buttermilk and yogurt until smooth.
• Beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, alternate additions of flour and buttermilk mixtures, beating well after each one.
• With clean beaters, whip egg whites until soft peaks, fold into the batter.
• Pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake on the lowest rack of the oven, covering with foil halfway through, 55-60 minutes, until it tests done.
• Cool in the pan 1 hour, then refrigerate a minimum of 1 hour before unmoulding.
• ---Vanilla-Raspberry Filling---.
• Dissolve the sugar and salt in the boiling water. Cool to room temperature.
• Add the meringue powder and use a mixer to beat on slow speed until the powder is dissolved and the mixture is foamy.
• Increase the speed and beat 3-4 minutes longer.
• Beat in the vanilla followed by the icing sugar.
• Add the butter and shortening a few tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in the puree and lemon juice.
• Chill 30 minutes before use.
• ---Very Vanilla Buttercream Frosting---.
• Dissolve the sugar and salt in the boiling water. Cool to room temperature.
• Add the meringue powder and use a mixer to beat on slow speed until the powder is dissolved and the mixture is foamy.
• Increase the speed and beat 3-4 minutes longer.
• Beat in the vanilla followed by the icing sugar.
• Add the butter and shortening a few tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is thick, creamy and fluffy.
• Chill 30 minutes before use.
• ---Ganache---.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat, melt together chocolate, cream and shortening until smooth.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool 10 minutes. Gently re-warm if necessary for even spreading.
• ---Assembly---.
• Level the top of the well-chilled cake and slice horizontally into three even layers.
• Place bottom layer on a cake round.
• With an offset spatula or palette knife, spread ½ of the Vanilla-Raspberry Filling in an even layer over the bottom round and top with the second layer.
• Spread second layer with remaining ½ of the filling and place the final layer on top.
• Using some of the remaining frosting, apply a thin "crumb coat" over the entire outside of the cake.
• Refrigerate 1 hour.
• Finish covering the top and sides of cake with the remaining frosting, making it as smooth as possible.
• Freeze 30 minutes.
• Pour ganache gently onto the centre of the top of the cake and spread to form "drips" or a "shadow" effect down the sides.
• Allow cake to set at room temperature, then keep in the refrigerator until serving.