My Most popular cake ever "The Tree Cake"

Sponge Layers

This is my favorite cake and i have been serving this in restaurants for over ten years, in different forms, this makes an excellent petit fore, dessert or an accompaniment with a cream tea. The name "Tree cake " refers to the many different layers of sponge i like to use 10 or more layers, which look similar to the rings of a felled tree, or freshly cut timber.
The other great thing about this cake is that it is cooked under the grill or you can even use a blow torch.
It is made up of repeated layers of sponge sandwiching any preferred flavors, i like to use marmalade and rum, almond and honey. Also by splitting half of the sponge mix and adding coco powder to one half you can make a zebra effect by layering the chocolate sponge on top of the plain sponge. this recipe is so versatile and fun to play with.

Spread each layer with marmalade and rum

 The Ingredients

• 100g soft butter
• 100g caster sugar
• 4 egg yolks
• 4 egg whites
• 100g plain flour
• jar marmalade
• Vanilla extract
• Rum optional

Step 1. Use a baking tray aprox 28 x 18cm ( flat is better) and line it with greaseproof paper make sure only the bottom is lined with the paper, this will prevent burning under the grill.

Pic 1. Layering the sponge

Step 2. To make the cake mix, beat together the  sugar and butter until smooth, add the egg yolks and beat until  creamy and light in colour. Sift in the flour and mix together.

Step3. In a clean bowl whisk the 4 egg whites until a soft peek appears, add half of the egg white to the cake mix and slowly fold the two together, once combined, add the other half and fold together. Add a 2-3 drops of vanilla extract. 


Step 4. With a wooden spoon spread a thin layer of the mix onto the bottom of the baking tray approximately 1-2mm thick. make sure you cover the greaseproof paper. Place under the grill until golden brown, this should only take a minute, so keep an eye on it.

Pic 2. Remove the greaseproof paper

 

 

Step 5. Warm the marmalade in a small pan with a touch of water and spread two- the tablespoons over the grilled cake mix using a spoon or pastry brush. Drizzle a few drops of rum over the sponge if you fancy Repeat this proses to create the layers of sponge , grilling every layer until all the mix has been used up. (Pic 1)

Step 5. Once all the layers have been cooked, turn over the cake and remove the baking tray, remove the greaseproof in small ribbons to avoid tearing the sponge. (pic 2)

Pic 3 cover with dark chocolate

Step 6. Cover the bottom of the cake (now the top of the cake) with melted Dark or Milk Chocolate (Pic 3) use white chocolate decorate the top over the darker chocolate. (Pic 4)

Step 5. Refrigerate and then slice with a warm knife so the chocolate dose not snap, i warm the knife in hot water to do this.

Pic4 Decorate with white chocolate

The Final Result