Sunflower Seed Cake
Recipe for cake with caramelized sunflower seeds and dulce de leche cream
The recipe for sunflower seed cake is a true feast for the palate, where sunflower seeds play the main role. Delicate chocolate cake, enriched with caramelized sunflower seeds, creates a unique flavor contrast. Velvety dulce de leche cream with crunchy sunflower seeds gives the whole an unforgettable sweetness. This cake is not only an exceptional taste but also an excellent proposition for those looking for innovative experiences in the world of desserts. Get ready for an explosion of flavors and discover how sunflower seeds can become the star of an exceptional cake!
Table of contents
Sunflower Seed Cake recipe step by step
If you like delicious layered cream cakes, you must try this recipe.
Sunflower cake recipe
Wyposażenie
- Baking pan approximately 20/30 cm.
Składniki
ingredients for cocoa sponge cake
- 4 egg whites (from size L eggs)
- 4 egg yolks
- 150 g sugar (3/4 cup)
- 140 g wheat flour – all-purpose (1 cup)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
ingredients for caramelized sunflower seeds
- 200 g sunflower seeds (shelled)
- 20 g butter
- 50 g sugar (1/4 cup)
- 2 tablespoons milk
ingredients for soaking
- approx. 120 ml coffee (for me, from two teaspoons of instant coffee)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons amaretto (optional – I added)
ingredients for dulce de leche cream for the cake
- 1 can dulce de leche mass (mine was 510 g)
- 250 g mascarpone cheese
- 2 teaspoons gelatin (plus water for it)
- approx. 2/3 portion caramelized sunflower seeds (lightly blended)
ingredients for chocolate glaze
- 120 ml heavy cream
- 100` g dark chocolate
- approx. 1/3 portion caramelized sunflower seeds
Instrukcja
How to make cocoa sponge cake
- Lightly blend the egg whites and add sugar gradually – increase speed to maximum and blend until the egg whites are very thick and white.4 egg whites, 150 g sugar
- Sift the flour through a sieve together with the unsweetened cocoa.140 g wheat flour – all-purpose, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- Add the egg yolks to the blended egg whites and gently mix – either with a spatula or on the lowest mixer speed.4 egg yolks
- Pour in the flour with cocoa and gently mix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake at 170 degrees (fan-assisted) for about 20 minutes – until a dry skewer comes out clean.
- After baking, cool the cake, then cut it into two layers.
How to make caramelized sunflower seeds
- Transfer the sunflower seeds to a saucepan, add sugar, butter, and milk – heat until the butter and sugar dissolve.200 g sunflower seeds, 20 g butter, 50 g sugar, 2 tablespoons milk
- Transfer the sunflower seeds to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 180 degrees (top/bottom heat) for about 10-15 minutes – stir the sunflower seeds occasionally.
- Cool the finished sunflower seeds.
- Set aside about 1/3 of the sunflower seeds and lightly blend or chop the rest with a food processor.
How to make dulce de leche cream for the cake
- Put the dulce de leche mass and mascarpone cheese into a mixer bowl – blend until combined.1 can dulce de leche mass, 250 g mascarpone cheese
- Add the lightly chopped sunflower seeds and mix.approx. 2/3 portion caramelized sunflower seeds
- Pour water over the gelatin – just enough to cover it. Let it stand for about 5 minutes, then heat briefly until it becomes liquid.2 teaspoons gelatin
- Add a tablespoon of the dulce de leche cream to the dissolved gelatin and mix thoroughly.
- Pour the gelatin into the rest of the cream and mix quickly.
Sunflower cake – assembling the cake
- Place the bottom cake layer in the pan and soak it with coffee.approx. 120 ml coffee, 1 teaspoon sugar, 2 tablespoons amaretto
- Spread the dulce de leche cream with sunflower seeds over the entire surface.
- Cover with the second cake layer and soak it as well.
- Put the cake in the fridge.
How to make chocolate glaze for the cake
- Pour the heavy cream into a saucepan and heat it.120 ml heavy cream
- When it’s hot, add the broken chocolate and stir until it melts.100` g dark chocolate
- Set aside the glaze to cool slightly, then pour it over the cake and spread it in an even layer.
- Finally, sprinkle the cake with the reserved sunflower seeds.approx. 1/3 portion caramelized sunflower seeds
- Refrigerate the cake again for about 2-3 hours.
Chocolate cake with sunflower seeds – notes
Sunflower Seed Cake has come across my screen many times while browsing the internet, and I finally decided to prepare my own version of this cake. I started by baking a simple cocoa sponge cake. Then I prepared the sunflower seeds – they need to be caramelized to be slightly sweet and crunchy. We add such sunflower seeds to the dulce de leche cream and additionally sprinkle them on top of the cake.
This layered sunflower seed cake turns out quite sweet, so to balance the sweetness a bit, I drizzled it with dark chocolate glaze. The sunflower seed cake turned out delicious! Nicely moist from being soaked with coffee and amaretto. Sweet from the dulce de leche and caramelized sunflower seeds. And chocolatey from the sponge cake and glaze.
For me, it’s a fantastic combination!
Be sure to make this sunflower seed cake for holidays, a family occasion, or for a weekend coffee.
Also check out my other recipes for cream cakes, I recommend among others caffe latte cake, raspberry cloud cake or kinder pingui cake.
Recommended recipes for cream cakes
Be sure to try my other recipes for delicious cakes layered with various creams. Here I recommend, among others, these three recipes, and many more on the blog:
Popularne Przepisy
Polecane przepisy
Sunflower Seed Cake Recipe (Słonecznikowiec)
The Słonecznikowiec is a delicious layered cake that is bound to impress and delight everyone. This cake features a cocoa sponge cake soaked in coffee and layered with a dulce de leche (kajmak) cream and caramelized sunflower seeds. I made my sunflower seed cake using a base of mascarpone cheese and ready-to-use dulce de leche. To top it off, I added plenty of sweet, toasted sunflower seeds and, for a bit of balance, a dark chocolate glaze. The whole combination turned out wonderfully rich and sweet. If you’ve never made a cake with sunflower seeds before, you absolutely must make up for it!
Słonecznikowiec Recipe
Take a look at my recipe for this sunflower seed dessert and find out how to make the ultimate Słonecznikowiec cake. First, prepare the chocolate sponge cake and a coffee brew—I actually added a splash of Amaretto to mine. After that, all you need is a simple dulce de leche cream and the caramelized sunflower seeds. That is how you create a magnificent layered cake with dulce de leche cream and sunflower seeds.
This sponge-base Słonecznikowiec is a fantastic choice for the holidays. The recipe makes a large sheet cake, so there will be plenty to go around for all your guests, and they are sure to absolutely love it. The Słonecznikowiec pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee—you definitely have to try it! While you're here, I also highly recommend browsing through my other layered cream cake recipes. You’ll find tons of great ideas that are perfect for various family occasions.
