So, when asked by extremely complimentary friends whether I would mind making their daughter a cake for her second birthday, the answer seemed to be an unequivocal ‘yes!’. And when I heard that their delightful little munchkin was really into Paddington Bear, it seemed like an easy enough task. STUPID ME!! As if I could make a bear out of cake??!!
What was I thinking?!
So I did my research and soon realised the thing to do was make a cake in the shape of a suitcase, and sit a little bear on top.
And which cake should I make? Why, marmalade of course!!
I do feel that using a cuddly Paddington bear is a cop out, but my ‘skills’ just don’t stretch that far.
In the end, no one minded, and everyone loved the cake (they are very nice people, though!)
So, the recipe:
Paddington’s Marmalade Cake
Stage One
350g butter
350g caster sugar
350g self raising flour
6 large eggs
Zest and juice of 2 large oranges
150g marmalade
Quite simply, shove everything together and beat until combined. It will smell AMAZING.
Grease and line two tray bake tins (approx. 20 x 26cm).
Evenly split mixture between the two tins. Bake in a 180c oven for 35 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool.
Stage Two
150g marmalade
600g buttercream (whichever recipe/sort you favour. I like icing and butter, but lots of people prefer the American style frosting with egg whites and all sorts)
Sandwich the two cakes together to get the flattest top possible. Use a good whack of buttercream and the marmalade to stick them together, and then coat the entire thing with an even layer of buttercream.
Stage Three
Four packets of mid-brown regal icing
One packet dark brown chocolate icing
Squish the four packs of mid-brown icing together and roll out to a rectangle large enough to cover the cake with a bit to spare. Use a rolling pin to help lift the icing and smooth down over the cake.
Cut circles out of the dark brown icing and, using a little water, glue these over the corners. Use a chopstick to press in ‘stitches’ around the edge of each.
Cut squares out of the dark brown icing to create the hinges on the back of the case. Stick on using water.
Make a handle out of the remaining icing. Stick on.
Leave everything to set. Then serve.
mamaCaz 