This was my second month partcipating in the Daring Bakers challenge and it didn't disappoint. Mandy of What The Fruitcake?! came to our rescue last minute to present us with the Battenberg Cake challenge! She highlighted Mary Berry’s techniques and recipes to allow us to create this unique little cake with ease.
As with the challah, I'd never herd of a Battenburg Cake before, much less eaten one. I love being able to learn about something completely new.
Normally I would try a unique variation of a classic recipe given, but Mandy's classic Battenburg looked so lovely. Besides I love almond buttercake, and loved the symbolism behind the pink and white squares said to represent the four princes of Battenburg. Classic it is.
I obviously didn't have a Battenburg tin, so I made do with some aluminium foil.
I joined the layers with apricot jam and added a crumb coat of vanilla buttercream before wrapping the Battenburg in marzipan. I topped it with flowers for something a little different.
I folded the ends of the marzipan to give it a material type look. I wanted to make it look like a neat little package. As well as cooking this cake for the first time, this was my first time working with marzipan. I assumed it was similar to fondant and dived right in. I wasn't sure how well it would work for moulding and thought the flowers might sag, but they were fine. I used mini dragees for the centre bud.
Time to cut it open. It wasn't perfect, but I was glad it at least looked chequered.
Have to remember to cut off the crusts next time to make it pretty.
The cake itself was delicious. But, yeah, almond. So many noms.
Check out Daring Kitchen for the recipe Mandy provided us.
Cakecrumbs 
Well done with this challenge! I thought the edges of the cake gave it a nice outline in the middle. I was very impressed with this. Was funny seeing this cake on MasterChef now long after too.
Haha, I know, I was like “I KNOW WHAT THAT IS NOW!” If I stick with Daring Bakers long enough, eventually I’ll be ready to take on MasterChef. xD
Yep! And then you can say things like “I’m gonna smash this”, “I cooked it from the heart” and “Things brings back memories” =P
And cry a lot.
“Look, George, this is me on a plate, and if I go out on this dish then I can be proud, cause I bled for this dish…” *hysterics*
“me on a plate” – that was the one I was trying to remember! That reminds me of Hannibal now. 😐
Great!
It looks amazing! I love how you wrapped the end! It’s like a gift 😀 Love the flowers too! Great job!
Re: Great!
Thank you. I love watching Cakewrecks’ Sunday Sweets and they often post cakes with gorgeous material-like folded ends. I had to give it a try.
Stunning!
All I can say is wow! This is so elegant – definitely more beautiful than any Battenberg I’ve ever seen before. The folded ends are fantastic. It looks really delicious – amazing job!
Re: Stunning!
Oh wow, thanks so much, that’s really lovely of you.
Lovely…
Love the flower decoration and how you’ve neatly folded the ends. The cake has come out awesome, I don’t have that much of an artistic gene, so made a simple one. Can’t seem to take my eyes off your pictures, well done!!! Jayanthi (www.sizzlingveggies.com)
Re: Lovely…
Thank you. 🙂 This cake is all about the inside, so I think simple really does it with this cake.
I LOVE the folding that you did on the end of the cake. Beautifully done! 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
I love love love the way you decorated this cake, the folded ends especially! The inside looks great too. Wonderful job!
Thanks so much! ♥
Your battenberg cake looks so beautiful and dainty! Great job!
Thank you. 🙂 It was such a fun challenge.