My "Bake Off" Inspired Bake

Baking, baking, baking. I'm going made for it. Not only have I bought myself a posh new cake stand (my first!) and a croissant cutting rolling pin, I now own an icing kit. And what do I blame? The Great British Bake Off. The fantastic TV show has gripped the country for 5 series and it's back on our screens with 12 new participants seeking fame and frosting. 

Paul is as dashing as ever. Mary is more darling than ever. Mel and Sue? They've grown on me with every series and I'd miss them if they were no longer the cheeky hosts. My bet this year is Ian - probably like most people. Love his understated humble approach to inventiveness in the oven. Personal favourite: Ugne, but she's gone. Loved her, so creative!

Frankly, I love the Bake Off. And so do 9 million other people. 

Most of the recipes are pretty challenging, technical and too artistic for me, but contestant Nadiya baked something last week I needed to try: the icing pattern bake (I'm calling it). 

The technique Nadiya used to pattern her sponge couldn't be simpler. Draw a pattern in icing on a sheet of baking paper (the more decorative the better), and freeze it in a tray bake or roasting tin. It doesn't take long. 

Don't prod it when it comes out the freezer - it'll warm up and smudge. 

Now comes the bake. Pour your cake mixture into the tray (I just used a simple tray bake recipe) and bake as normal. 

When the cake it taken out of the oven, carefully turn the cake out onto a cooling rack and peel off the grease proof paper. Voila, your pattern is etched onto the sponge. I was amazed how clearly is came out, no smudging and the icing didn't grow or shrink in the temperature change.

I cut the sponge into 3cm (ish) squares and made a sandwich with them using a plain sponge (same recipe) and a honey mascarpone cream filling. Delish! They really were tasty ... I felt quite sick once the bake had finished, I ate so many off-cuts and smears of icing!

See below - my 'mini Nadiya cakes' are displayed on my new cake stand with a friend's brownies. Who's hungry?!

With hindsight, the pretty little pattern I made wasn't very visible once I'd cut the sponge sandwich into small(er) bites. I should have gone for a grid or something - the leaves and swirls would work better as a tablet bake. 

Thanks to Nadiya for her inspiration!

Lou x

Find me on Facebook
...and on Twitter
Born to be a Tourist

---