Preparation time: 45 minutes plus cooling and setting
Cooking time: 20-22 minutes
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Edibles: |
To Decorate: |
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1Preheat the oven to 180˚C/160˚C fan/ gas mark 4. Grease and line 3 x 18cm (7in) Victoria sandwich tins. |
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2Put the margarine in a mixing bowl with the caster sugar and whisk together until light and fluffy. |
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3Gradually beat in the eggs and lemon extract until well blended. Sift the flour and baking powder into the bowl and using a large metal spoon, carefully fold the flour into the whisked ingredients. |
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4Divide the mixture equally between the tins and smooth over the tops. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20-22 minutes until risen, golden brown and just firm to the touch. Cool for five minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Lightly skewer the tops of each cake several times and gently pour over the sachets of flavour drizzle – try not to skewer all the way through the cakes otherwise the drizzle may seep out. |
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5Once the cakes are cold, carefully slice each one through the middle to make six layers. Spread five of the layers with raspberry jam and then sandwich all the cakes together in a stack, leaving one plain for the top; press down gently and transfer to a serving plate. |
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6To decorate, put the butter in a bowl and beat until smooth, soft and glossy. Gradually sift and mix the icing sugar into the butter to make a smooth icing. Stir in the lemon extract and the whole tube of yellow food colour gel. Spoon into a large piping bag fitted with a ribbon nozzle and twist the bag closed. |
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7Holding the bag horizontally to the side of the cake, starting at the top edge, pipe the icing in close zig-zag patterns randomly down the sides of the cake. Rotate the bag in your hands every now and then so that the nozzle changes angle as you pipe. Try to pipe the icing thinly and evenly so that you have enough to cover the cake completely. As a guide, reserve one third of the mix to cover the top. Continue piping all over the cake to cover it completely. Your cake is now ready to serve and enjoy! |