Fricassee Cake 

Fricassee cake is a delightful fusion of savory and sweetness. This unique dish combines the comforting richness of a creamy fricassee filling, typically made with tender chicken or meat braised in an aromatic sauce, sandwiched between layers of light and fluffy cake.

The delight of this recipe lies in its unexpected pairing of contrasting elements. The savory fricassee offers a depth of flavor from herbs, vegetables, and velvety sauce, while the sweet cake provides a delicate counterpoint. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures - the tender filling contrasted by the soft, airy cake.

But fricassee cake is more than just a delicious treat. Its preparation is an experience in itself, allowing you to explore classic French cooking techniques while getting creative with your twists. From browning the meat to perfecting the luscious sauce, the process is deeply satisfying for any home chef.

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What Makes A Fricassee Cake A Unique Culinary Experience?

• Fusion of Savory and Sweet Flavors The combination of this savory dish and flavorful fricassee filling, typically made with meat or vegetables cooked in a creamy sauce, sandwiched between layers of sweet cake batter is a delightful fusion of contrasting flavors. This unexpected pairing of savory and sweet elements creates a harmonious blend that tantalizes the taste buds.
• Textural Contrast The soft, tender texture of the fricassee filling contrasts beautifully with the light and fluffy cake layers. This interplay of textures adds depth and interest to each bite, creating a multi-sensory experience that engages the palate.
• Unique Cooking Technique The preparation method for fricassee cakes is quite distinctive. While the cake layers are baked traditionally, the assembled cake is often deep-fried or pan-fried, resulting in a crispy exterior that encases the moist interior. This cooking technique imparts a unique texture and flavor profile that sets fricassee cakes apart from other desserts.
• Cultural Fusion Fricassee cakes have their roots in North African and French culinary adventure, blending the French technique of fricassee with the art of cake-making. This fusion of cultures and cooking styles creates a truly unique and diverse flavor experience.

What You Need To Make Fricassee Cake Recipe

• Chicken Breast: Provides the main protein component and savory flavor base for the filling.
• Onions, Garlic, Mushrooms: Aromatic vegetables that add depth of flavor to the creamy fricassee filling.
• Flour: Used to thicken the fricassee sauce and also as a base for the cake batter.
• Chicken Broth and Heavy Cream: Liquids that create the luscious, velvety texture of the fricassee sauce.
• Butter, Sugar, Eggs, Milk: Standard cake ingredients that make up the light, fluffy cake layers to encase the savory filling.
• Spices like Thyme: Enhance the savory notes of the fricassee filling

How To Cook The Fricassee Dish 

1. Prepare the fricassee filling by browning the chicken, then sautéing the vegetables.
2. Make a roux by sprinkling flour over the vegetables and whisking in the chicken broth and cream to create a thick sauce.
3. Return the chicken to the sauce, season with herbs, and let simmer until thickened.
4. For the cake, cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the eggs.
5. Alternately mix in the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt) and milk to make the cake batter.
6. Pour half the batter into greased cake pans and bake until a tester comes out clean.
7. Allow the cakes to cool completely, then slice each one horizontally to create 4 layers.
8. Assemble by spreading ⅓ of the fricassee filling between each cake layer.
9. Optionally, frost the sides of the assembled cake with the remaining fricassee filling

What Can I Serve With This Recipe 

Starchy Sides

• Mashed potatoes
• Rice or rice pilaf
• Buttered egg noodles
• Crusty bread or dinner rolls
• Roasted or mashed potatoes
• Pan-fried gnocchi

The creamy, savory sauce of the fricassee pairs beautifully with starchy sides like potatoes, rice, noodles or bread to soak up all the delicious flavors.

Vegetable Sides

• Steamed or sauteed green vegetables like green beans, asparagus, peas
• Roasted carrots or Brussels sprouts
• Salad with a light vinaigrette
• Sauteed mushrooms or spinach

Fresh, crisp veggies provide a nice contrast to the richness of the fricassee.

Pro Tips 

•  For an ultra-light and airy texture, be sure not to overmix the cake batter. Gently fold the ingredients just until combined.
• Let the fricassee filling cool slightly before assembling the cake. This prevents it from melting or soaking into the cake layers too much.
• Consider adding a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to the fricassee for an extra kick of flavor.
•  Use room temperature ingredients for the cake batter to ensure everything incorporates smoothly and the batter has an even consistency.
•  For a crisp outer layer, dip the assembled cake in breadcrumbs or panko before frying, if desired. This adds a nice crunch to contrast the tender interior.
•  Adjust the consistency of the fricassee filling to your liking by adding more broth for a thinner sauce or reducing it further for a thicker gravy texture.

How To Store 

Storage Tips:

• For short-term storage (up to 3 days), keep the fricassee cake covered at room temperature. An airtight container or wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or foil will help retain moisture.
• For longer storage, the fricassee cake freezes well. Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for 2-3 months.

Freezing Tips:

• Freeze the cake slices or whole cake unwrapped first until completely frozen. This prevents the wrapping from sticking.
• Once frozen solid, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil or place in an airtight freezer bag or container.

Reheating Tips:

• To reheat a whole frozen cake, unwrap it and place it on a baking sheet you’ll need to Cover it loosely with foil. Heat at 300°F for 15-20 minutes until warm throughout.
• If reheating frosted cake, heat very briefly just until warm, not hot, to prevent melting the frosting.

Fricassee Cake Recipe

The Breaded Fricasse Cake is a savory and comforting dish that combines creamy chicken fricassee filling with layers of soft bread, all coated in a crispy golden crust. Perfect as a hearty main course or a unique addition to gatherings, this recipe delivers a delightful mix of textures and flavors.

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5 from 3 votes

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8 slices

Calories 4804

Equipment

• Mixing bowls

Ingredients

  

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• For the Fricassee Filling:
• 1 lb 454g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoon 30ml olive oil
• 1 onion 200g, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 8 oz 227g mushrooms, sliced
• 2 carrots 120g, diced
• 2 celery stalks 80g, diced
• 2 tablespoon 16g all-purpose flour
• 1 cup 240ml chicken broth
• ½ cup 120ml heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Cake Layers:
• 2 ¼ cups 281g all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon 8g baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup 113g unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup 200g granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup 240ml milk

Instructions

 

• Prepare the fricassee filling: In a skillet, cook diced chicken in olive oil until browned. Remove chicken and set aside.
  
• In the same skillet, sauté onions, garlic, mushrooms, carrots, and celery until tender.
• Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir to coat. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream.
• Return chicken to the skillet. Add thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
• Make the cake batter: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
• In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
• In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
• Alternately mix in the flour mixture and milk into the butter mixture in batches until just combined.
• Pour half the batter into each prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean for golden brown perfection.
• Allow cakes to cool completely. Slice each cake horizontally to create 4 layers.
• Assemble by spreading ⅓ of the fricassee filling between each layer of cake.
• Frost sides of cake with remaining filling if desired.

Notes

• For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with sautéed vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or eggplant.
• Add a pinch of cayenne or paprika to the filling for a kick of heat.
• Use milk alternatives like almond or oat milk to make it dairy-free.
• Top with fresh parsley, chives, or crispy fried onions for garnish.
• The fricassee filling can be made 1-2 days in advance and refrigerated until ready to assemble.

Nutrition

Calories: 4804kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 16gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 12gSugar: 18gCalcium: 2mg

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cake layers 1-2 days in advance. Assemble with the filling right before serving.

What can I substitute for heavy cream in the filling?

You can use milk or half-and-half, but the filling may be thinner. Thicken with a butter-flour roux if needed.

Is this cake spicy or mild?

The recipe as written produces a mild, savory cake. Add cayenne or chili powder to the filling if you prefer a spicier kick.