LEMON CURD & MASCARPONE CAKE
Preparing and sharing delicious foods and enjoying a delicious dessert with family and friends is always a special time.
In collaboration with Louise at Cygnet Kitchen we’d love to share this refreshing and delicious Lemon Curd and Mascarpone naked cake; the perfect treat to serve to the masses at any time of year.
SERVES:
8 slices
COOKING TIME:
1 hour
INGREDIENTS:
For the cake:
- 220g butter, softened, plus a little extra to grease the pans
- 220g white caster sugar
zest of 2 unwaxed lemons
- 4 free range eggs (weighing a total of 220g in their shells), lightly beaten
- 220g self raising four, sifted.
- pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 2-3 tablespoons of whole milk
For the lemon cud filling:
- grated zest and juice of 4 unwaxed lemons
- 175g unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 270g granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
Note: You will have enough lemon curd to fill the cake and two small sterilised jars. It will keep in the fridge for a week.
For the icing:
- 500g mascarpone
- 200ml double cream
- 4-5 tablespoons lemon curd, to taste, plus extra to assemble each layer.
- 250g icing sugar sifted.
To decorate:
Non toxic flowers (I used blossom and eucalyptus leaves). Always be sure that any flowers used to decorate a cake are non toxic and make sure you remove them before serving
METHOD:
1 - Heat the oven to 180c/fan 160c/gas 4.
2 - Grease and line two 6 inch, deep cake tins.
3 - Beat the butter,sugar and lemon zest together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten egg, a little at a time, beating well in between each addition.
4 - Gently fold in the sifted flour and salt, then add the lemon juice and enough milk to create a dropping consistency (the mixture should drop off a spoon when lightly tapped).
5 - Divide the mixture between the two tins (weigh each tin to easily judge roughly the same amount of mix). Put in both tins on the middle shelf of the pre-heated oven and cook for 45 minutes.
6 - While the cakes are cooking make the lemon curd. Add the lemon juice, zest, butter and sugar to a heat proof bowl and place the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water (make sure the water does not touch the bowl). Stir until the sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted.
7 - Add the beaten eggs to the bowl and whisk well with a ballon whisk. Heat gently,whisking frequently and cook for 20 minutes. Do not allow the curd to boil otherwise it may curdle (if it does, remove from the heat and whisk vigorously until smooth).
8 - The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Reserve enough curd for the cake and pour the rest into two hot sterilised jars and cover with sterilised lids (see note). Allow to cool.
Remove the cakes from the oven, they should have shrunk slightly away from the tin and a skewer inserted in the middle should come out clean.
9 - Leave in the tins to cool for 10 minutes, then remove and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
10 - Then make the icing by whisking the mascarpone, double cream, icing sugar and 4-5 tablespoons of the cooled lemon curd (to taste), until thick and smooth.
11 - When cakes are cool, wrap in clingfilm and place in the freezer for 10 minutes. This will make them easier to cut.
12 - Using a cake divider or bread knife level the tops of the cakes if necessary and cut each cake in half evenly.
13 - Place the base of one of the cakes on a plate or cake stand and spread with a thin layer of lemon curd and then a thick layer of mascarpone icing. Add the next layer cut side down.
14 - Repeat with remaining layers, ensuring that the top layer is placed cut side down. If you like the 'naked' look thinly spread the rest of the icing on sides of the cake and then add on the top making a thicker layer.
15 - Top with fresh blossom and a sprig of eucalyptus, making sure that you remove them before cutting and eating the cake.
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