White Chocolate Fantasy Cake with Raspberry Filling

In a medium mixing bowl let egg whites stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a small mixing bowl stir together flour, lemon peel, baking powder, and salt. Set flour mixture aside.

Melt the 3 ounces white baking bar with 1/4 cup of the half-and-half, light cream, or milk in a small heavy saucepan over very low heat, stirring constantly till baking bar starts to melt. Immediately remove from heat and stir till baking bar is completely melted and smooth. Stir in remaining half-and-half, light cream or milk; cool.

In a large mixing bowl beat the margarine or butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed about 30 seconds or till softened. Add sugar and vanilla; beat till combined. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating till combined. Alternately add the flour mixture and the white baking bar mixture, beating on low to medium speed after each addition just till combined. Wash beaters.

In a medium miffing bowl beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed till stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Spread batter into 2 greased and lightly floured 8 x 1 1/2 inch round baking pans.

Bake in a 350'F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or till a wooden toothpick inserted near the center of cakes comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool cakes completely on racks.

In a small bowl combine the 1 cup berries and raspberry liqueur, if using. Set aside till needed.

Prepare the White Chocolate Frosting.

To assemble cake, place one cake layer on a cake plate. Drain liqueur from berries, if using, and drizzle liqueur over cake layer on plate. Stir jam to soften. Spread jam, over cake layer. Top with one-third of the White Chocolate Frosting. Spoon the 1 cup berries atop. Top the berries with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides with the remaining frosting. Gently place the White Chocolate Curls on the frosting on top of cake or all over top and sides of the cake.

At this point, you can carefully cover the cake loosely with, plastic wrap and chill, for up to 24 hours. Just before serving, sprinkle cake with the 1/2 cup berries and sift powdered sugar lightly over cake, if desired.

White Chocolate Curls:
Carefully draw a vegetable peeler across the broad surface of two or three 2-ounce white baking bars (or a 4- to 6-ounce chunk of white baking bar). This works best if baking bar is at warm room temperature. Use immediately or carefully place on paper towels in a covered storage container in a single layer. Store at room temperature or chill.