How to Make Petit Fours

Summary

In this 'Preppy Kitchen' video, John Kanell guides viewers through the process of making a classic petit four cake. The recipe begins with preheating the oven and preparing the baking sheet, followed by mixing flour, baking powder, salt, and cream cheese for the cake base. The butter and cream cheese are creamed together, sugar is added, and eggs with vanilla are incorporated. The cake is baked and then filled with vanilla buttercream and raspberry jam. The assembled cake is frozen before being cut into precise cubes and coated with a homemade white chocolate fondant. The final touch includes optional food coloring and buttercream decorations, resulting in a delicious and elegant dessert perfect for sharing.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video is a tutorial on making classic petit fours, which are small, dainty desserts.
• 📺 The host of the 'Preppy Kitchen', John Kanell, guides viewers through the process of making homemade petit fours.
• 🔥 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy release of the cake.
• 🧀 A special ingredient, eight ounces of cream cheese, is added to the cake batter for tanginess and body.
• 🍰 The cake batter is made by creaming room temperature butter and cream cheese, then gradually adding sugar and eggs.
• 🥚 Eggs and vanilla are mixed into the batter one at a time to ensure a smooth and fluffy texture.
• 🍞 The dry ingredients are combined with half a cup of milk in three batches to avoid overmixing the batter.
• 📏 The baked cake is cut into squares, ideally about an inch in size, for the petit fours.
• 🍓 The petit fours are filled with a vanilla buttercream and a layer of raspberry jam or other preferred fillings.
• 🍫 A white chocolate pourable fondant is prepared for the topping, which requires careful melting and mixing to avoid air bubbles.
• 🎨 The fondant can be colored with gel food coloring for a decorative touch, and it's poured over the petit fours for a glossy finish.
• 🌹 Decorative buttercream roses and leaves are piped onto the set fondant to complete the petit fours.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is to teach viewers how to make a classic, dainty petit four, a type of small cake, with a detailed explanation of the process.

Who is the host of the 'Preppy Kitchen'?

The host of the 'Preppy Kitchen' is John Kanell, who teaches viewers how to make delicious homemade dishes.

What is the first step in preparing the petit four cake according to the video?

The first step is to preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 12 by 17 inch baking sheet with parchment paper.

What special ingredient is added to the cake mixture to give it a tang and body?

Eight ounces of cream cheese is added to the cake mixture to give it a tang and body, making it suitable for cutting into small squares.

What is the purpose of using room temperature butter in the cake recipe?

Using room temperature butter helps in the creaming process with the cream cheese, ensuring a smooth and well-mixed base for the cake.

How long should the cake bake in the oven?

The cake should bake in the oven for about 26 minutes, but it's important to check for doneness by its bounciness and listen for crackling sounds.

What type of filling is used for the petit fours in the video?

The video uses a simple vanilla buttercream as the filling for the petit fours, although it mentions other options like raspberry jam, lemon curd, or marzipan.

Why is it recommended to freeze the cake sandwiches before cutting them into petit fours?

Freezing the cake sandwiches makes it easier to cut them into clean and even petit fours without the cake or filling becoming too soft or messy.

What is the method used to apply the chocolate fondant to the petit fours?

The method involves placing each petit four on a fork and spooning the chocolate fondant over it, ensuring all sides are coated, and then tapping off the excess.

How can the fondant be colored for the petit fours?

The fondant can be colored by adding a drop or two of gel food coloring and mixing it in before pouring it over the petit fours.

What type of decoration is added to the petit fours after the fondant has set?

The video demonstrates making buttercream roses and leaves as a decoration for the petit fours after the fondant has set and dried.