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Magic Cakes Recipe
Overview:
This delightful Magic Cakes recipe hails from the renowned London bakery, Konditor & Cook, known for its exquisite confections. These miniature cakes are beloved for their sweet, lemony flavor and make a perfect treat for kids’ birthday parties or as delightful gifts in Christmas boxes.
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Recipe Category: Dessert
- Keywords: Kid Friendly, Sweet, Oven, < 4 Hours
Ingredients:
- 200g salted butter
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Pinch of salt
- 200g caster sugar
- 4 eggs
- 200g self-raising flour
- 4 squares of marzipan (about 200g)
- 250g icing sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Apricot jam (as needed)
- Fondant (for coating)
- Food coloring (of your choice)
- Royal icing:
- 1 egg white
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 425g icing sugar
- 1/4 tsp glycerine
- Glitter and silver balls (for decoration)
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Tin:
- Grease and line a 21 x 31 x 2.5 cm baking tray with parchment paper.
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Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C for fan ovens).
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Prepare the Cake Batter:
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the salted butter, lemon zest, and salt until creamy.
- Gradually add the caster sugar, beating continuously until the mixture is light and fluffy.
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Incorporate Eggs and Flour:
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. If the mixture starts to curdle, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour to stabilize it.
- Fold in the self-raising flour in three batches using a large metal spoon until well combined.
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Bake the Cake:
- Spoon the cake batter into the prepared baking tin, spreading it evenly with a palette knife.
- Level the surface of the batter with the palette knife.
- Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the centre of the sponge springs back when lightly pressed.
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Cool and Prepare for Decoration:
- Once baked, turn out the cake onto a wire rack to cool.
- Brush the top of the cake with some of the lemon juice and then apply a thin layer of apricot jam using a palette knife.
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Apply Marzipan:
- Roll out the marzipan to match the size of the cake top.
- Carefully lift the marzipan onto the cake and gently smooth the top with your hand.
- Chill the cake for about an hour to set.
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Cut and Coat Cakes:
- Use a ruler to mark the cake into 28 squares.
- Using a serrated knife dipped in cold water, cut the cake into squares.
- Brush the tops of the cakes with more apricot jam.
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Prepare Fondant and Color:
- Meanwhile, melt the fondant with the remaining lemon juice in a saucepan over low heat.
- Stir continuously until the temperature reaches about 55°C on a sugar thermometer.
- Divide the fondant mixture between four bowls, leaving one white and coloring the others with food coloring of your choice.
-
Coat and Decorate:
- Dip each cake square into the colored fondant of your choice and transfer to a wire rack set over a tray.
- Allow the fondant to dry for about 20 minutes.
- Carefully lift the cakes off the wire rack with a knife and place them into paper cases.
-
Prepare Royal Icing:
- In a bowl, mix the egg white, lemon juice, half of the icing sugar, and glycerine with a wooden spoon until creamy.
- Gradually add the remaining icing sugar, beating well until the icing is white and smooth.
-
Decorate the Cakes:
- Use a small piping bag to create your desired designs on top of each cake with the royal icing.
- Decorate further with glitter and silver balls to add a festive touch.
Nutritional Information (Per Cake):
- Calories: 181.7
- Total Fat: 6.5g
- Saturated Fat: 3.9g
- Cholesterol: 42mg
- Sodium: 149.7mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 30.4g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.6g
- Sugars: 23.1g
- Protein: 1.8g
Tips:
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Use high-quality marzipan for a richer flavor.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.
- Experiment with different food coloring to create a vibrant assortment of cakes.
These Magic Cakes are not only visually appealing but also a joy to bake and share. Perfect for any occasion, they are sure to enchant both kids and adults alike with their magical charm and delightful flavors!