This week marked the beginning of mass baking and cake diets across the nation with the new series of the Great British Bake Off on BBC1.
Last night the 12 new bakers were tasked with making Mary's frosted walnut layer cake - 3 layers of sponge sandwiched together with buttercream and topped with frosting and caramelised walnuts. If you fancy proving your star baker skills, why not give Mary's classic a try?
Source: Recipe and photo from BBC Food Recipes
225g self-raising flour,
1 tsp baking powder
100g walnuts, finely chopped
225g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
225g caster sugar
4 large eggs, beaten
For the caramelised walnuts:
2 tbs water
100g caster sugar
10 walnut halves
For the buttercream:
125g butter, softened
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp milk
250g icing sugar
For the boiled icing:
2 large egg whites
350g caster sugar
4 tbsp water
¼ tsp cream of tartar
2. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs a little at a time.
3. Fold in the flour mixture using a large metal spoon. Divide the mixture equally between the 3 tins and level the surfaces.
4. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 25-30 minutes until the cakes are golden and springy to the touch. Leave to cool in the tins for a few minutes then turn out, peel off the parchment and finish cooling on a wire rack.
5. For the caramelised walnuts, tip the sugar into a pan and heat over a low heat until the sugar is beginning to melt. Increase the heat and cook the caramel to a dark golden colour. Remove from the heat, add the walnut halves and swirl to coat in the caramel. Transfer the walnut halves onto a silicon sheet and leave to set.
6. For the buttercream, put the butter, vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of the milk and half the icing sugar in a large bowl and beat until smooth. Beat in the remaining icing sugar and pour in the rest of the milk if needed, to make the buttercream the right consistency.
7. Spread half of the buttercream over one of the sponges and place the second sponge on top. Spread the remaining buttercream over the second sponge and top with the third sponge.
8. For the boiled icing, measure the egg whites, sugar, water and cream of tartar into a bowl set over a pan of hot water and whisk for 8-10 minutes until thick.
9. Cover the top and sides of the cake, swirling the icing to form softened peaks. Work quickly as the icing sets rapidly. Leave to set in a cool place, but not in the fridge. Decorate with the caramelised walnuts.
10. Share with friends or family and enjoy with a steaming cup of coffee or tea.
