Yes, it's back! The Great British Bake Off. That wonderful series of marquees, ovens and soggy bottoms! Time for me to put my pinny on and grab my rolling pin and spring bottomed sandwich tins.
In episode one there was one cake that stood out to me. Frosted Walnut Layer Cake (the recipe and instructions are here. I am rather partial to a large slab of coffee and walnut I have to say, so the concept of no coffee intrigued me along with the boiled icing?!! So, do you want to see me attempt one? It's been a while since I have done a cookery post, but I just keep thinking of the rewards (hopefully) at the end of this post!
With all ingredients set out, the science begins. Mixing the flour, butter, sugar, walnuts until deliciously creamy.
Then separated into three sandwich tins that had been carefully greased and then put into the oven to hopefully rise!
Meanwhile, it was time for the caramel for the caramelised walnuts. Now, here things went pear shaped! I tried twice to get this to work - it didn't - enough said!
So, we will gloss over that part and pretend it never happened! Instead, it was buttercream time. Now this went much better and the wonderful flavour of vanilla shone through.
The sponges are ready! Risen and a lovely golden brown (and no soggy bottoms!).
After cooling, it was time to assemble. First sponge and first dollop of buttercream...
Then the second...
And lastly the third...
Looking good so far! Now for the boiled icing... nervous as this was my first attempt.
I thought it was too wet and would not work well when coming to ice the cake, but I was really surprised at how strong this stuff is!
There we go, not a soggy bottom in sight and delicious. I don't think this will be hanging around for long.
I wonder what will 'float my boat' in the next episode!
The cake is very sweet! Be warned, so a lovely strong cup of tea is needed to accompany this.
Have a great baking week!
I am sharing with:
My goodness, this looks delicious! I am also fond of coffee and walnut cake and yours looks amazing - well done! I'm enjoying the series too, always a treat :)
ReplyDeleteCathy x
Yours looks fab, Chel. A lot better than some of the contestants! Mind you, I wouldn't even think of putting myself forward for the GBBO. I couldn't stand the stress!
ReplyDeleteOh my, that looks delicious. It came out beautifully, like a professional baker made it.
ReplyDeleteYour cake looks fantastic!!! I would be way to scared to try this! I thought that the technical biscuits from tonight looked amazing, I bet they would be very tasty! Do you want to try them for us and let us know! xx
ReplyDeleteOh boy does that ever look YUMMY ! think you could push a tad through the internet to me drool ! nothing goes best with sweet treats like a cuppa tea . Wonderful post and photos . I bet that cake didn't last long there lol ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteWow Chel, your cake is gorgeous looking and how nice to be inspired by a bake off show! I bet this cake was just yummy. I co-host a new blog party and I would love to have you share this at Monday's Cooking and Crafting with J & J sometime if you would like.
ReplyDeleteTake care and enjoy the rest of the week.
Julie
Beautiful cake. I just might have to click over and give it a try!
ReplyDeletehttp://happywonderer.com/
GURRRRRrrrrrllllLLLLL!!! Save me a piece! I'm on my way over!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Tammy x
This looks really delicious! Great that you are inspired by the Bake Off. I wonder if I could find it on line somewhere. I watch the Great British Sewing Bee that way - love that show. I hope they do another season.
ReplyDeleteChel I can not believe how incredibly well photographed the recipe and ingredients are. It brought me into your kitchen and I felt I was there! Bubbling the caramel, mixing ingredients together and icing the yummy cake with that pretty buttercream icing that peaks perfectly. Yes, yes please, I will enjoy a spot of strong tea and a large slice. Lovely vintage tea cup and saucer.
ReplyDeletexo,
Vera
I love seeing the little flecks of vanilla in the cake mixture and those sponges look delicious. The Great British Bake Off is always fun to watch but it looks so stressful! I'm always sad for the contestents who get voted off and am sometimes surprised by those who are asked to leave - you can go from being best baker to leaving the following week. Aw....
ReplyDeleteI am popping over it looks delicious. I know there is none left, I am not surprised it really did look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWell, didn't you make that look easy! I get my cakes in a box...I know, its sad. Yours looks wonderful! So beautiful iced and sliced. I will have to look up this Great British Bake Off and see if we can get it here. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteWow! looks amazing - and I'm sure I can smell it from here... Save me a slice, Chel. A confession - I watched an episode of 'Bake-Off' for the first time last night; not a huge fan of cookery programmes, simply because there are sooo many of them!
ReplyDeleteIt looks delicious. Mind you, I do love a coffee and walnut cake!
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks wonderful and I could enjoy that so much more than any TV programme.
ReplyDeleteYummy!!!Loveeee Buttercream....thanks for sharing. Blessings
ReplyDeleteLooks incredible, Chel! I've never made boiled icing but my mother swears by it! Hubby's 40th b-day is coming up so maybe I'll boil some for his big day!
ReplyDeleteOh, my word, YOU should be on that show!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that show, by the way, they let us see it on our PBS station here, and I adore that show, it is just my cup of tea!
Yum...it looks so good! My husband and I like to watch that show. Glad to hear it's back on.
ReplyDeleteChel,
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good. Enjoy!
Kris
Ok, how hard would it be to slice a piece and ship it to the USA? Boy, that looks yummy! BTW, I had to giggle when you said "soggy bottom". One of my favorite Blue Grass groups uses the name Soggy Bottom Boys. Brings a grin every time. God bless to you and yours. (Now I'm hungry ...) ~:)
ReplyDeleteMust admit when I watched this I thought that I would prefer the walnuts au naturel
ReplyDeleteThis looks gorgeous, a bit too nice for my diet week ;)
ReplyDeleteLauren
www.artramblingsatlavinias.blogspot.co.uk
My mouth is starting to drool...yummy! Although I'm not a fan of walnuts so I'd switch to Pecans.
ReplyDeleteI'm starving for some cake now, Chel! It looks divine :)
ReplyDeleteKisses to Tia.
xo,
rue
Cake is one of my favorite things to bake and eat too! What a beautiful cake that I would so love to try!
ReplyDelete…. drooling !!!!!
ReplyDeletexxxxxx Ale
I love the show.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your cake. :-)
It looks so yummy, but my family is anti-nut.
ReplyDeleteThis almost looks like sin. I want a piece.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
My mouth is watering now... When is tea time?
ReplyDeleteWow Chel how I wish I could have a piece of that right now! Lol! Thanks so much for sharing and joining our Cooking & Crafting with J & J. Wishing you a wonderful Monday and week!
ReplyDeleteJulie xo
Oh my, the cake looks wonderful and your photos of the ingredients and baking are gorgeous as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! xx
You should probably do food posts more often, Chel! I love the way you photographed it, and the cake is a beauty! I've got to check out the recipe - I'm intrigued!
ReplyDeleteHeaven! That's what this looks like!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
This cake looks amazing! I feel like I can take a bite or eat a whole slice right now. It's almost midnight as I read this and it's torturing, lol. Hopefully I can make it this week. Thanks for sharing, cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chel for sharing this cake recipe at Cooking and Crafting with J & J this week. I featured you and hope you will stop by again!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day.
Julie