the cake from peaking during baking.
* Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes or until a metal skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Don’t worry if the cake peaks and cracks a bit. It will settle quite a lot whilst cooling and will be covered by the icing.
* Whilst the cake is baking, heat the orange juice, lemon juice and soft dark brown sugar in a small heavy-based saucepan over a low heat. Don’t let the syrup boil, but heat it enough to dissolve the sugar.
* Remove the baked cake from the oven and run a sharp knife round the edge. Pierce the cake all over with a metal skewer and slowly pour the orange syrup all over it, ensuring it soaks into the holes and round the edges. It takes a while for the cake to absorb all the syrup.
* Leave the cake in the tin until it has cooled and all the syrup has been absorbed. Turn out, remove the baking parchment and leave to cool completely on a metal cooling rack.
* To make the icing, mix the sifted icing sugar with the orange juice until you have a nice thick spreading consistency. Pour over the cake, smoothing with a round-bladed knife or a palette knife and making sure to take the icing to the edge. Immediately decorate with the toasted walnut halves.
tip: This cake is so good it can be served without the icing, warmed and with a dollop of dairy-free cream or scoop of ice cream at a smart dinner party.
Chocolate & hazelnut cake
This recipe was given to me by a good friend upon her return from a holiday in Italy, and I am very grateful. It is wonderfully light and nutty and goes down a treat with an espresso and the Sunday papers.
serves: 8 to 10
preparation: 25 minutes
baking: 1 hour 10 minutes
cooling: 50 minutes
freeze: No
200g (7oz) hazelnuts
50g (2oz) good-quality (60% cocoa) dark dairy-free chocolate
1 tsp gluten-free baking powder
100g (3½oz) dairy-free spread
5 large eggs, separated
175g (6oz) caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
equipment
20cm (8 inch) springform sandwich tin
* Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/Gas 4. Grease and line the tin with baking parchment.
* Grind the hazelnuts, chocolate and baking powder together in a food processor until fine. Add the dairy-free spread to combine.
* Using a hand-held electric mixer on a high setting, cream the egg yolks and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. Add the hazelnut mixture and the vanilla extract and whisk until combined.
* In another bowl, use the hand-held electric mixer on a high speed setting to whisk the egg whites and salt together until stiff peaks form.
* Carefully fold the egg whites into the nut and chocolate mixture in three stages so you don’t deflate the egg whites.
* Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, smoothing to the edge with the back of a dessert spoon.
* Bake in the oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, or until the cake feels firm and a metal skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
* Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 15 minutes. Don’t worry if the edges collapse a little, as this is quite normal for a cake made with whisked egg whites. Gently ease the sides of the cake out of the tin using a round-bladed knife, then leave on the base for another 15 minutes. Leave to cool completely on a metal cooling rack.
* Store in an airtight container for up to three days.
Orange, polenta & poppy seed cake
An unpretentious cake that is light, moist and totally delicious. It keeps really well in an airtight tin ready for when friends drop in for an impromptu cup of coffee and a chat, or should I say gossip!
serves: 8 to 10
preparation: 20 minutes
baking: 55 minutes
cooling: 35 minutes
freeze: Yes
150g (5oz) coarse polenta
75g (3oz) wheat- and gluten-free plain flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
1½ tsp gluten-free baking powder
2 tsp poppy seeds
150g (5oz) caster sugar
2 large eggs, beaten plus 2 egg whites
250g (9oz) soya yoghurt
125ml (4fl oz) sunflower oil
Grated zest and juice of 1 medium orange
equipment
20cm (8 inch) deep round tin
* Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/Gas 4. Grease the base and sides of the cake tin with parchment paper.
* Mix the polenta, flour, xanthan gum, baking powder and poppy seeds together in a mixing bowl.
* In another bowl with a hand-held electric mixer on a high speed setting whisk together the sugar, eggs and extra egg whites.
* Add the soya yoghurt, sunflower oil, zest and juice of the orange whisking until combined.
* Add the polenta mixture a little at a time, folding in with a large metal spoon between additions to make a nice thick batter.
* Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, levelling the surface with the back of a desert spoon.
* Bake in the oven for 50 to 55 minutes or until the cake is firm to the touch and golden on top. A metal skewer inserted into the middle of the cake should come out clean.
* Remove the cake from the oven, leaving it to cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then remove from the tin and finish cooling on a metal cooling rack.
Christmas cake
My mother used to bake this cake every Christmas and I can vividly remember the kitchen being filled with the heady smell of baking fruit and spices. It is the best fruit cake I have ever tasted, and my customers must agree because I sell out every year!
serves: 8 to 10
preparation: 30 minutes
baking: 2½ hours
cooling: 1 hour 20 minutes
freeze: Yes, before icing
300g (10½oz) dairy-free spread
300ml (10fl oz) cranberry juice
300g (10½oz) runny honey
175g (6oz) dried sour cherries
175g (6oz) glacé cherries
350g (12oz) raisins
325g (11½oz) sultanas
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
150g (5½oz) wheat- and gluten-free plain flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
150g (5½oz) ground almonds
½