I made this wonderful cake for a church potluck supper.  It is so rich and delicious, it goes a long way.  The leaf decorations were beautiful and perfect for this time of year.  Enjoy!
Sara
 

                 *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                              Pecan Pie Cake

Recipe By     :  Southern Living 10/98
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :
Categories    : Holiday menu                     Cakes
                Desserts                         Thanksgiving
                Christmas                        Holiday exchange

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   3      cups          pecans -- finely chopped,
                        -- toasted and divided
     1/2  cup           butter -- softened
     1/2  cup           shortening
   2      cups          sugar
   5      large         eggs -- separated
   1      tablespoon    vanilla extract
   2      cups          flour
   1      teaspoon      baking soda
   1      cup           buttermilk
     3/4  cup           dark corn syrup
                        ***PECAN PIE FILLING***
     1/2  cup           dark brown sugar -- firmly packed
     3/4  cup           dark corn syrup
     1/3  cup           cornstarch
   4                    egg yolks
   1 1/2  cups          half and half
     1/8  teaspoon      salt
   3      tablespoons   butter
   1      teaspoon      vanilla extract
                        ***PASTRY GARNISH***
   1      package       refrigerated piecrusts  -- (15 oz)
   1      large         egg
   1      tablespoon    water
  24                    pecan halves

1. Sprinkle 2 cups pecans evenly into 3 generously buttered 9-inch round cakepans; shake to coat bottoms and sides of pans.

2. Beat 1/2 cup butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

3. Add flour and baking soda to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in remaining 1 cup finely chopped pecans.

4. Beat egg whites at medium speed until stiff peaks form; fold 1/3 of egg whites into batter. Fold in remaining egg whites. Do not overmix. Pour batter into prepared pans.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until done. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Invert layers onto wax paper-lined wire racks. Brush tops and sides of layers with corn syrup, and cool completely.

6. Spread half of Pecan pie filling on 1 layer, pecan side up. Place second layer, pecan side up, on filling; spread with remaining filling. Top with remaining layer, pecan side up.

7. Arrange pastry garnish on and around cake, if desired. Yield: 1 (3-layer) cake.
 

Pecan pie filling:
Whisk together first 6 ingredients in a heavy 3-quart saucepan until smooth. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly; boil 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from heat; whisk in butter and vanilla extract. Place a sheet of wax paper directly on surface of mixture to prevent a film from forming and chill 4 hours.
 Yield: about 3 cups
 Note: to chill filling quickly, pour filling into a bowl. Place bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice. Whisk constantly until cool (about 15 minutes.)
 

Pastry garnish:
1. Unfold piecrusts, and press out fold lines. Cut 8 to 10 leaves from each crust with a 3 inch leaf shaped cutter and mark leaf veins using tip of a knife. Reserve pastry trimmings. Whisk together egg and 1 tb. water and brush on pastry leaves.

2. Crumple 10 to 12 small aluminum foil pieces into 1/2 inch balls. Coat with vegetable cooking spray, and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Drape a pastry leaf over each ball; place remaining pastry leaves on baking sheet.

3. Bake at 425 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Gently remove foil from leaves.

4. Pinch 12 pea sized pieces from pastry trimmings. Place between pecan halves, forming sandwiches. Cut remaining pastry into 2 inch pieces; wrap around pecan sandwiches, leaving jagged edges to resemble half-shelled pecans. Brush with egg mixture. Place on baking sheet.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire rack.

Yield: 16 to 20 pastry leaves, 12 pecan pastries.
 

formatted by http://saraskitchen.faithweb.com     11/98
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