Showstopper Cake for AEG Competition - Lily Vanilli, Richard Burr

Showstopper Cake for AEG Competition

Prep Time: 50 min
Cooking Time: 40 min
Serves: 15

I’ve teamed up with AEG and we’re inviting you to make a showstopper cake and upload it onto Instagram and Facebook (and follow @AEG.UK instagram, @AEG Facebook), using the hashtag #GetBakingWithAEG. I will then be selecting a few lucky bakers to compete in a baking competition in London on Sunday 7th October 2018 with @richardpburr, and the lucky winner will take home a SteamBake oven.

I’m really looking forward to seeing your bakes so get entering! Terms and conditions of the competition are here. Good luck!!!

Ingredients

For the cake

250g light brown sugar

1 cup olive oil

pinch vanilla

110g cocoa powder

2 eggs

250ml semi skimmed milk

240g plain flour

2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

pinch sea salt

1 cup cooled espresso

For the buttercream

100g unsalted butter, softened

300g icing sugar, sifted

1 tsp vanilla extract

75ml double cream

Note – this makes a single tier 6” x 3 layers cake. If you want to make multiple tiers or a bigger cake simply scale the recipe up. Always fill your pans 1/2 of the way full (for this cake batter recipe) and you will get a great result.

Method

For the Cake:

  • Make up the coffee & leave it to cool
  • Beat together the olive oil, sugar & vanilla
  • Add the eggs & milk & beat gently until well combined
  • Sift together the cocoa, bicarb, flour & salt. Stir until evenly combined, then beat into the batter until smooth.
  • Slowly add the cooled coffee until just combined evenly.
  • Pour into your well greased tins
  • Bake 20-25 mins or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean

For the Buttercream:

  • Beat the butter until light & fluffy
  • Add the sugar, vanilla & milk
  • Beat on low to combine, then on high for 5 minutes

To Assemble:

Pipe a dab of buttercream onto your board or plate and place the first sponge on top. Pipe or spoon a thin layer of buttercream on top of this sponge layer and spread it evenly to the edges. Repeat with the rest of your sponges.

Now pipe buttercream around the cake, starting on the top and working your way down the sides, then use an offset palette knife to smooth it out, making sure the cake is completely covered. Chill int he fridge to firm up (this is called a ‘crumb coat’). Once firm, repeat with another layer of buttercream and if you want a really smooth finish, use a cake scraper in the final stage to really smooth it out.

Top decorate, you can start with a sketch or just freestyle it. This is where you can get really creative. I like to use fresh, seasonal fruit and flowers in my designs so went for an Autumnal theme here with blackberries and foliage too. The chocolate details work all year round and taste delicious so are a really handy thing to use in your decorations.

Lily Vanilli deciration image

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