English High Tea Preserved Ginger Drizzle Cake Recipes

PRESERVED GINGER CAKE

Steps:

• Begin by placing the opened tin of black treacle in a saucepan of barely simmering water to warm it and make it easier to spoon. Meanwhile sift the flour and baking powder into a roomy mixing bowl, lifting the sieve quite high to give the flour a good airing as it goes down, then add the butter, golden caster sugar, eggs, treacle and ground ginger. Now, using an electric hand whisk, combine them for about 1 minute until you have a smooth creamy consistency. After that fold in the milk, along with the heaped tablespoon of ground almonds and the ginger syrup. Then chop 5 of the pieces of stem ginger fairly small and fold these into the cake mix too. Spread the cake mix in the tin, level it off with the back of a tablespoon and bake for 40-50 minutes near the centre of the oven or until the cake is risen, springy and firm to the touch in the centre. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then lift the cake out of the tin using the liner and place it on a wire rack. Then, holding the liner at one end, use a palette knife to slide the cake directly onto the rack, and leave until cold. For the icing: sift the icing sugar into a bowl and mix with enough lemon juice to make the consistency of thin cream. Spread the icing over the top of the cake, and never mind if it dribbles down the side in a few places - it looks nice and homemade. Cut the remaining 2 pieces of stem ginger into 15 pieces and arrange in lines of three across the cake. Watch our Cookery School Video for Layering and Icing Cakes on this page. For serving, cut the cake into 15 squares.

ENGLISH HIGH TEA PRESERVED GINGER DRIZZLE CAKE

Steps:

• You will need a non-stick round cake tin measuring 8", at least 1"deep, and some silicone paper (parchment).
• Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 180C/350F/gas4.
• First, prepare the cake tin by greasing lightly and lining it with the silicone paper: press it into the tin, folding the corners in to make it fit neatly - the paper should come up 1 inch above the edge.
• To make the cake, in a large pan, gently melt the butter with the sugar, golden syrup & black treacle over a low to medium heat.
• Cool briefly & stir in the milk.
• Beat the eggs into the mixture & add the chopped stem ginger - mix well.
• Sift in the flour into a bowl and combine thoroughly, then add the ground ginger, baking powder & freshly grated ginger root. Combine thoroughly.
• Pour the cake mixture into the prepared cake tin & spread the cake mixture evenly in the cake tin.
• Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the cake is risen, springy and firm to touch in the centre.
• Take the cake out of the oven & prick all over with a skewer or a toothpick; pour the ginger syrup over the cake, making sure it all sinks down into the holes.
• Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 60 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack and make sure it is absolutely cold before you attempt to ice it.
• For the icing, sift the icing sugar into a bowl and mix with enough of the lemon juice to make a consistency of thick cream - you might not need all the lemon juice.
• Now spread the icing over the top of the cake, and do not worry if it dribbles down the sides in places, as this looks quite attractive.
• Cut the remaining ginger into 12 pieces & arrange around the edge of the cake so that when you cut it you will have 12 slices, each with a piece of ginger in the centre.
• If you would like one or two of these cakes tucked away for a rainy day, they freeze beautifully - simply defrost and put the icing on half an hour before serving.

STICKY GINGER LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease and line a deep 20cm round cake tin with baking parchment. Put the flour, bicarb and all the spices in a food processor, add the butter and whizz until it has disappeared, then tip into a mixing bowl (or rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs).
• Put the sugar, treacle, golden syrup and milk in a saucepan and heat, stirring gently, until the sugar has dissolved. Turn up the heat and bring the mixture to just below boiling point.
• Pour the treacle mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon as you go. Beat in the egg until the mixture resembles a thick pancake batter. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 50 mins-1 hr, until a skewer poked in the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool completely in the tin.
• Split the cake through the middle. For the drizzle, stir the lemon zest and juice into the sugars, then immediately spoon all over the top half of the cake.
• For the filling, mix the lemon curd with the diced ginger. For the icing, beat together the ginger syrup, soft cheese, cream and icing sugar until thick enough to hold its shape. Spread the lemon curd filling all over the cut side of the bottom cake, dollop the creamy icing on top, then sandwich with the other half of the cake. The unfilled ginger cake will mature well for up to 3-4 days if wrapped well in baking parchment then foil.

COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION DELICIOUS DATE AND GINGER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C (fan-forced 160°C).
• Grease an 18cm square cake tin.
• Place chopped dates, brown sugar, ginger, butter and one cup of water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, then take off the stove and add the bicarbonate of soda. Stir.
• Add the sifted flour and the beaten egg.
• Mix well.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared tin.
• Bake for about 45 minutes.

LIME & GINGER DRIZZLE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line the base and ends of a 900g loaf tin with a strip of buttered baking parchment. Cream the butter and caster sugar together until really pale, light and fluffy. Grate the zest from 3 of the limes and add to the mixture. Gradually add the eggs, mixing well between each addition.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, ground ginger and a pinch of salt. Using a large metal spoon, fold into the cake mixture with the coconut and chopped stem ginger. Add the milk and juice from 2 of the limes and mix until smooth. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and spread level using a palette knife.
• Bake in the bottom third of the oven for 1 hr - 1 hr 15 mins, or until golden brown - a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake should come out clean. Cool the cake in the tin for 10-15 mins.
• Use a wooden skewer to make holes all over the top of the cake. Meanwhile, mix the remaining lime juice with the granulated sugar and the stem ginger syrup. Slowly spoon the sugary mixture over the top of the warm cake and leave in the tin until completely cold. Top with the chopped crystallised ginger to serve.

PRESERVED GINGER

Steps:

• Rinse scrubbed and peeled roots and soak in cold water overnight. Drain.
• Place in kettle in cold water to cover. Bring to a boil. Drain and repeat process 3 or more times (depends on how old the ginger is).
• In a separate pan, boil sugar and 1-1/2 cups water together for 20 minutes to make the syrup. Stir in the drained ginger root and heat until syrup comes to a boil. Remove pan from heat and let stant overnight.
• Store in airtight glass jars in the refrigerator or process in a water bath in the usual way.

SUPER MOIST GINGER CAKE

Steps:

• Melt butter and golden syrup, set aside.
• Into a large bowl, sift flours, bi-carb of soda, ginger, cinnamon,mixed spice and sugar. Stir to combine.
• Add eggs and milk. Beat well.
• Add melted butter and syrup and mix well to combine.
• Grease and line 2 loaf tins (approx 23cm x 12 cms). Divide mix evenly between the 2 tins.
• Bake in a moderate oven (180 deg C / 350 deg F) for about 50 mins or until top is golden brown and an inserted skewer comes out clean.
• Allow to cool in the tins for 10 mins before removing.

BEST EVER EASY GINGER CAKE

Steps:

• Lightly grease a 25cm square (10 inch) cake tin and line it with baking (silicone) paper.
• (Try to use the correct size tin or the cake may crack.) Set the oven to moderate 180° C (350° F).
• Sift all of the dry ingredients into a medium mixing bowl.
• Combine butter pieces, golden syrup and treacle in a small saucepan, cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until butter is melted.
• (This step can also be done in the microwave.) Add water to syrup mixture.
• Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the syrup mixture and the eggs.
• Mix until well combined.
• Don’t be concerned that the mixture is quite liquid at this stage.
• Pour cake mixture into prepared tin.
• Tap tin lightly on bench to dispel air bubbles.
• Place on centre shelf of 180° C (350° F) oven for 35-40 minutes.
• Check towards the end of the baking time to ensure the edges are not burning.
• The cake should be dark but must not be blackened at the edges.
• (If you do burn the edges, cut them off and ice over the edges and no-one will notice!).
• When the cake is cooked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes.
• Then, carefully invert it onto a rack or bread board to cool.
• Icing the Cake: Sift the icing sugar into a small mixing bowl.
• In a separate small mixing bowl, beat the butter (or margarine) until smooth.
• Gradually add the sifted icing sugar, beating between additions until the sugar is completely mixed with the butter.
• Add the lemon juice and beat well until the mixture reaches an easily spreadable consistency.
• Spread icing over the top of the cake and (optional) decorate with pieces of crystallised ginger.