White Christmas Layer Cake
Makes 1 (9-inch) cake
Cake:
1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs, separated
2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup whole buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting:
1 cup white chocolate chips
6 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
⅔ cup unsalted butter, softened
5 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 tablespoon whole milk
Garnish: white chocolate curls, crushed peppermint sticks
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with baking spray with flour. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper; spray parchment.
2. For cake: In a large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda. Add flour mixture to butter mixture in three additions alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating at low speed just until combined after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
In another large bowl, using clean beaters, beat egg
