Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 9 inch cake pans.

Step 2

Mix the flour, baking powder and salt together, making sure they are well blended. Set aside till needed.

Step 3

Cream butter and 3/4 cup of sugar with the paddle attachment of your mixer. After the butter has softened replace the paddle with the whip attachment, and continue mixing for about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Whisk in the egg yolks one at a time until the mixture is smooth.

Step 5

Add the milk and vanilla, to the mixing bowl and mix just enough to blend.

Step 6

Add the flour mixture, 1/2 cup at a time. Don’t over mix! Transfer this all to a larger bowl

Step 7

Whip egg whites and cream of tartar in your mixer for about 3 minutes until soft peaks form. Add the remaining sugar and continue to whip for about 2 minutes until medium peaks form.

Step 8

Add egg white mixture to butter mixture 1/4 at a time, fold in with a rubber spatula, Fully incorporating before adding more, repeat process until all your egg whites have been folded in.

Step 9

Spread batter into your cake pans dividing evenly, and smooth it out with a spatula.

Step 10

Bake for 25-30 minutes in a conventional oven, or until the cake bounces back to the touch, or a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes then turn out onto a cake rack

Step 11

Place the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, pomegranate reduction and lemon zest into a heatproof bowl that fits over a saucepan and whisk until well blended(not over the saucepan).

Step 12

When the first step is completed, place the bowl over a saucepan with an inch of simmering water in it, as the mixture begins to get warm add the butter a little at a time, and whisk the mixture until it thickens. This will take about 5-7 minutes, make sure not to let the mixture boil!

Step 13

Allow mixture to cool, until needed

Step 14

Whip your cream to medium peaks, adding the sugar as it begins to thicken. Refrigerate until needed

Step 15

Place the gelatin and water in a small bowl and let it sit for about 10 minutes, or until it has absorbed all the water

Step 16

Stir the softened gelatin with a fork to get rid of any lumps. Then place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until the gelatin dissolves completely.

Step 17

Add the gelatin mixture to the curd. The curd must be warm for it to mix in properly ( you may have to warm up the pomegranate curd if it has cooled too much). it should be warm to add your gelatin mixture into it. Whisk the mixture until it has been well blended. Once finished, set aside and allow to get to room temperature.

Step 18

Fold (by hand) the whipped cream into the room temperature curd mixture, mix just enough to blend, do not over mix or use an electric mixer. This will cause the mousse to break!!*Refrigerate until needed.

Step 19

Take your cooled cake and split each layer into 2 sections, this will give you 4 layers.

Step 20

Begin with the first layer, After splitting the layers brush the cut side with pomegranate syrup.

Step 21

After you have brushed on the pomegranate syrup, spread an even layer of mousse on top of the cake, using a spatula or knife to make it level to the edges.

Step 22

Add the next layer with the cut layer up and repeat the process for the next two layers.

Step 23

For the final layer place the baked side up. There is no need to brush this layer.Place the cake into the refrigerator to chill while you make the topping for the cake.

Step 24

Add the pomegranate juice and pomegranate liquor (optional) to a small bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the liquid and let stand 1 minute to soften gelatin.

Step 25

Transfer the liquid to a small saucepan. Add the sugar and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved

Step 26

Pour the mixture into a bowl and set the bowl into an ice and water bath, stirring the mixture gently until it is cold and slightly thickened but not yet set.

Step 27

Stir in pomegranate seeds and spoon the topping onto the top layer of the chilled mousse cake

Step 28

Place the cake back into the refrigerator for at least one hour, to finish setting up.*This cake can be made a day ahead of time in the refrigerator before serving.