Atlanta-style Witch's Cake

Ingredients

In this adaptation, we infuse the traditional Portuguese Bolo de Bruxa with the essence of Atlanta cuisine. We incorporate warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, which are commonly used in Southern baking. Additionally, we enhance the cake's richness by adding a creamy and tangy cream cheese frosting, a beloved staple in Southern desserts. We alse have the original recipe for Bolo de bruxa, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• Cream Cheese Frosting: Cream Cheese Frosting:
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 65g, 45g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
5. 5.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. 6.
   Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. 7.
   Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. 8.
   For the cream cheese frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
9. 9.
   Once the cake has cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top and sides.
10. 10.
    Slice and serve the Atlanta-style Witch's Cake, and enjoy the delightful blend of Portuguese and Southern flavors.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cream cheese — Make sure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature before preparing the frosting to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra Southern touch, you can add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the cake batter.
• If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
• To achieve a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting, make sure the cream cheese and butter are both softened and at room temperature.
• For a decorative touch, you can garnish the cake with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar.
• This cake tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make it in advance and let the flavors meld overnight.

Serving advice

Serve the Atlanta-style Witch's Cake as a delightful dessert after a Southern-inspired meal. It pairs perfectly with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of sweet tea.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can decorate the top of the cake with swirls of cream cheese frosting and sprinkle some cinnamon or grated nutmeg on top. Serve the cake on a beautiful cake stand or plate to showcase its delicious layers.