Thursday 27 September 2012

The Best Cinnamon Vanilla Marble Cake





The cake sale happens at school three times a year and is a great excuse not only to try out new recipes myself but to taste what everyone else is making. This year, I discovered this tasty little beauty. It was so simple to look at but one slice revealed the prettiest marbling. What makes this cake divine is that it is so moist. There is a secret ingredient of course (all good recipes must have one) and that is why I have to share this with the world. Say goodbye to dry, boring cakes and hello to this lovely marbled cinnamon creation. The recipe originates in Norway and is now a firm favourite in my kitchen here in Kildare. To the woman who shared this Norwegian recipe with me, I say "Tusen takk".

7oz (190gm) butter
7oz (190gm) self raising flour (sifted)
7oz (190gm) caster sugar
3 eggs (beaten)
Pinch of salt
(HERE SOMES THE SECRET INGREDIENT) 1 fluid oz (25mls) soured cream
1teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 tablespoon gound cinnamon

The quantities here fit perfectly into a small bundt tin or, if you prefer, a greased and lined 4x7 inch loaf tin. I have made small buns from the recipe which travel well to school in lunch boxes.

Oven temp: 170 oc.

METHOD:

1. Cream together the butter and sugar til light and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten eggs slowly. 

2. Add the flour and salt slowly. Too fast and you'll have a floury layer all over yourself and the kitchen. Be warned, don't over mix the cake at this stage. Over mixing makes cakes dry and hard. 

3. Add the soured cream and vanilla extract.

4. Spoon half of the mixture into a bowl and add the cinnamon. Mix well. 

5. Gently pour the plain mixture into your baking tin. Put the cinnamon mixture on top. With a skewer or small spoon, carefully swirl the two around. This is how you create the wonderful marble effect.

6. Bake until a skewer comes out clean - this should take between 45 - 55 minutes (if you make individual buns, they will only take 15 - 20 minutes). 


NOTE: 
This Cinnamon and Vanilla Marble Cake will keep for a week, serves eight hungry people and gets better with age (a bit like myself).