Brazilian Passion Cake

Keywords: cake, passion fruit, cashews vanilla wafers,

Cashew Nut Crust:

1/2 cup unsalted cashews

2 cups vanilla wafer cookie crumbs

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

11 ripe passion fruits

2 tablespoons water

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon unflavored powdered gelatin

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 cup heavy cream

Passion fruit topping:

3 tablespoons water, divided

1 teaspoon unflavored powdered gelatin

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 ripe passion fruit

Make the cashew nut crust:

1.Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 F.

Remove the bottom from an 8 1/2-by-3-inch springform pan. Trim a

9-inch cardboard cake circle so that it fits snugly within the curved lip

of the bottom of the springform pan. Cover the bottom with a piece

of heavy-duty aluminum foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang all around the

edge . Carefully attach the side of the pan so you do not tear the foil.

2.In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, process the cashews,

pulsing the machine on and off, until fine]y ground. Transfer the

ground cashews to a medium bowl; stir in the cookie crumbs and

melted butter until combined. Press the mixture evenly onto the

bottom and up the side of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 12

minutes, until lightly browned. Cool the crust on a wire rack.

Make the filling:

1.Using a serrated knife, cut the passion fruits in half. Scrape the

seeded orange pulp of the fruits into the bowl of a food processor

fitted with the metal chopping blade. Process the pulp for 15 to 20

seconds. Pass the passion fruit puree through a fine sieve into a small

bowl. Remove 1/4 cup of the puree to a small cup, cover and set

aside for the passion fruit topping.

2.Place the water and vanilla in a small heatproof cup; sprinkle the

gelatin over the mixture and allow it to soften for 5 minutes . Place the

cup with the softened gelatin in a saucepan with enough water to

come halfway up the side of the cup. Heat the gelatin mixture over

hot, not simmering, water. Stir the gelatin frequently for 3 to 4

minutes, or until the gelatin granules dissolve completely and the

mixture is clear. Remove the pan from the heat.

3.In a medium bowl, using a hand-held electric mixer, beat the cream

cheese for 30 seconds, until smooth. Add the condensed milk and the

reserved passion fruit puree and beat the mixture for an additional

minute, scraping the bottom of the bowl as necessary. Whisk in the

lemon juice and the warm gelatin mixture.

4.In a chilled, medium bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the

cream until soft peaks start to form. Do not overheat. Fold one-third

of the cream into the passion fruit mixture to lighten it. Fold in the

remaining whipped cream.

5.Scrape the filling into the cooled crust. Refrigerate the cake for 3

hours, until the filling is firmly set.

Make the passion fruit topping:

1.Place 2 tablespoons of the water in a small cup. Sprinkle the gelatin

over the water; allow the mixture to soften for 5 minutes.

2.In a small saucepan, combine the remaining tablespoon water, the

reserved passion fruit puree, and the sugar. Cut the remaining passion

fruit in half and scrape the orange seeded pulp into the pan. Cook the

mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is

dissolved. Add the softened gelatin mixture and cook the mixture for

3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is dissolved. Remove the

mixture from the heat and cool for 10 minutes.

3.Pour the cooled passion fruit topping over the top of the chilled cake,

tilting the cake to cover the top evenly. Refrigerate the cake for 1

hour, until the topping is set.

4.Remove the side of the springform pan and transfer the cake to a

serving platter. Cut the cake with a sharp, thin-bladed knife, dipping

the blade in hot water and wiping it dry after each slice.

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