Recipe: Strawberry Pimms Showstopper Cake for Wimbledon

Strawberry Pimms Showstopper Cake for Wimbledon

Why not treat friends and family to a slice of this delightful summer bake, perfect to enjoy whilst watching Wimbledon… Combining seasonal flavours synonymous with the world’s favourite tennis tournament - strawberries, cream and Pimms!

Ingredients: (Serves 10-12)

 For the sponge

6 medium eggs

180g golden caster sugar

60ml light olive oil

180g plain flour

For the Pimms Syrup

100ml Pimms

300ml lemonade

3 tablespoon Bonne Maman Strawberry Conserve

For the White Chocolate Cream

300ml carton double cream

100g white chocolate, roughly chopped

To fill and decorate

6 tablespoon Bonne Maman Strawberry Conserve

225g fresh strawberries, few fresh raspberries

Caster sugar

Freeze dried strawberries, chopped pistachio nuts

Method:

1. Heat the oven to 160c, fan oven 140c, gas mark 3. Grease and line a deep, 20cm cake tin with non-stick baking parchment.
2. Use an electric mixer to whisk the eggs for about 5 minutes until pale and thick. Add the caster sugar and continue whisking until the mixture doubles in size, is very foamy and leaves a trail when you lift out the beaters.
3. Continue to whisk on high while you add the olive oil drop by drop.
4. Sift the flour into the mixture and fold in very gently with a large metal spoon.
5. Pour into the tin and bake for 40-45 minutes until the cake is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
6. Meanwhile, make the syrup. Put the Pimms, lemonade and conserve into a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Bubble for 10-15 minutes until reduced and syrupy. Cool.
7. Cool the cooked cake in the tin then turn out onto a wire rack. Cut the cake into three layers. Spoon the cooled syrup over each layer.
8. To make the white chocolate cream, put the white chocolate in a small bowl over a pan of warm water and leave until melted. Dip three whole strawberries in the chocolate and chill. Whip the cream until it just begins to hold its shape and fold in the remaining melted chocolate with a balloon whisk. Keep whisking gently until the mixture is thick and spreadable.
9. To fill and decorate, spread the conserve over the sponge layers and top with the remaining strawberries, thinly sliced. Layer up the cake onto a board or a plate.
10. Cover the cake with the white chocolate cream and refrigerate overnight.
11. To make the caramel shards for decoration, line a baking sheet with foil and sprinkle over a layer of caster sugar. Pop under a hot grill for 4-5 minutes or until the sugar melts and turns golden brown. Immediately sprinkle over the freeze-dried strawberries and the pistachios. Leave to cool then break into shards. Store in an airtight container.
12. When ready to serve, pop the chocolate dipped strawberries on top of the cake with the raspberries and caramel shards. Serve immediately.

Recipe development by Moyra Fraser.

Image copyright, Bonne Maman UK

www.bonnemaman.co.uk