Forget Heston's weird and wonderful creations, here is something you can easily make yourself, and the best thing is liquid nitrogen is not required.
This impressive and beautifully wrapped vanilla sponge cake is a sure fired winner, so go on give the gift of cake at Christmas.
The marzipan decoration adds that taste of Christmas, but alternatively you can use melted white chocolate mixed with gelatine to create the present ribbon, if desired.
Ingredients:
- 250g Butter
- 250g Caster Sugar
- 4 Eggs
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 250g Plain Flour
- 4 tsp Baking Powder
- 3-4 tsp Milk
Method:
Use the creaming method for this cake.
1) Cream the butter and sugar
2) Slowly add the beaten eggs
3) Add the vanilla extract
4) Fold in the flour and baking powder
5) Mix in the milk
6) Add to a greased square cake tin
7) Bake for 40minutes at gas mark 190c
Decoration:
- Strawberry Jam
- Strawberries
- Marzipan
Wrapping the present:
- Roll out the Marzipan and cut out the following shapes:
- Two long strips, long enough to go across and down either side of the cake
- Two short strips, folded to create an oval loop (each side of the bow)
- Roll out a short strip to fold over the bow loops
- Two half sized strips, cutting the ends into a fork (ribbon end)
- Before wrapping the cake with the marzipan bow, cover the now cooled cake in strawberry jam.
- Next, wrap the cake with the marzipan ... two long strips to form a cross over the cake, add a loop to either side of the centre, cover the middle of the bow with the short strip.
- Cut the strawberries into halves and lay over the strawberry jam, to cover the area between the ribbon
- Cut the remaining strawberries into slices to cover the sides of the cake.
- Finally, add the ends of the ribbon. Tucking each end under the bow and softly creating folds whilst laying the ribbon ends over the strawberries.
There you go, the one present you can share.....
Setting the perfect Christmas scene, to be enjoyed with your friends and family!
