Amaretto Dream Cake

This richly flavored layer cake combines the richness of cream cheese, the fruity sweetness of apricots, and the unmistakable flavor of amaretto.

Serves: 16Hands-on: 35 minutesTotal: 1 hour 20 minutesDifficulty: Easy

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Serves: 16

Ingredients

  • 1 box (18.25 oz.) box yellow cake mix
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1⁄4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. amaretto, divided
  • 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 can (15 oz.) apricot halves, drained
  • 2 packages (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 cups confectioners’ sugar

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two round 9-inch cake pans. Set aside.
  • Combine cake mix, eggs, buttermilk, 1⁄4 cup amaretto, and oil. Beat for 4 minutes using an electric mixer set to low speed. Turn batter into cake pans.
  • Bake for 35 minutes. Allow cakes to cool completely.
  • When cakes are completely cool to the touch, lay cake layers on a clean, flat surface. Mark the middle of the cake layer with toothpicks. With toothpicks as your guide, slice horizontally, using a few slow even strokes of a serrated knife. Carefully remove top layer to a clean, flat surface. Repeat this process with the second layer to create four layers total.
  • Combine drained apricots and 1⁄2 cup plus two tablespoons amaretto in a blender and blend until completely smooth.
  • Center bottom layer of cake on platter. Smooth one third of the apricot mixture on top of the cake layer. Repeat for next two layers.
  • Beat cream cheese and remaining 3 tablespoons amaretto until cheese is soft. Add confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth. Frost cake with cream cheese mixture.