Clandestine Cake-a-long 2: Toffee Shock Cake

Toffee Shock Cake before the fudge topping set

I’m finally able to upload my picture of this magnificent cake. Our bake for the next fortnight is the Toffee Shock Cake by Julia England from Derby’s CCC. My version is once again not as picturesque as I’d like it to be but absolutely delicious. Definitely not a cake for the dieters but thoroughly enjoyable to make – I found the sponges came together really quickly, even though there were 4 different flavours. For me, though, the real star was the fudge topping – I could have eaten it with a spoon (oh alright then, I’ll admit I did!) That fudge will definitely be featuring in some ice-cream dishes this summer.

Julia is one of the contributors that I have actually met. We went on a foodie conference a couple of years ago and she is one of those people that you feel like you’ve known forever. We may even have drunk a spot of wine later that night! Julia is one of the bakers that went down to appear on The One Show when the CCC were featured last year – I’m trying to get her to pay a visit to the North West very soon – If any other CCC bakers are around, you would be welcome to join us.

So, here goes – let’s find out a bit more about Julia…

1. How did you get into baking?
I really got into baking after appearing on a BBC 2 TV show called Economy Gastronomy in 2009 … I found a new love for food and baking , and discovered I was actually quite good at the whole cooking lark ! Baking just came naturally !! So I started writing a blog of my adventures and disasters in the kitchen .. you can read this at http://awannabefoodie.wordpress.com

2. What is your favourite cake?
My favourite cake has got to be a simple Victoria Sponge .. I fill mine with a sweet strawberry jam and freshly whipped cream … then I drench it in icing sugar !! You just can’t beat it !!

3. What is the last cake that you made?
The last cake I made was a vanilla madeira decorated in the style of the kids gaming craze Minecraft for an 11 year old little girl !! I have recently started my own cake business Daisychain Cakery offering cakes for all occasions!! I love making cakes and seeing the smiles .. you can’t beat it !!! Turning a passion into a job has been hard but I enjoy it …

The last cake I made for my own enjoyment was Jo Christy’s Trick or Treat Tuck Shop Cake from the CCC cookbook … YUM !!!! The sherbert buttercream was immense !!!

4. You have friends coming round for the evening, which cake would you bake them?
If I had friends coming over for dinner .. I would probably bake a lemon meringue cake .. serving it with cream as a perfect pud !! Two birds with one stone …

5. What famous person (past or present) would you like to bake a cake for?
Oooh there are so many people I would love to bake for .. dead and alive !! My youngest son was named after Frank Sinatra as he is one of my great idols … I’d have loved to have baked for him !! and the rest of the guys !!! I must admit most of the people I want to bake for are the fella’s I have a soft spot for .. Sean Bean , Kevin bacon .. and the gorgeous Gary Barlow !! I truly am that shallow !!!

However, I would like to bake for Delia Smith … I’m sure I could show her a thing or two !! hahahaha !!! ‘Ark at me ….. ! I wouldn’t dare bake for St Mary of Berry .. I’d be emotionally exhausted waiting for a verdict !!!

6. How many CCC events have you attended?
I have been running the Derby branch of CCC since October 2011 and have atteneded numerous clubs .. my own, Loughborough and Leeds .. sometimes two in a weekend ! You can never get enough of cake .. and the people you meet !!!

7. What recipe out of the CCC book do you fancy baking the most?
There are so many amazing recipes in the book .. I can’t wait to make Andrew Kites Boozy Vic Sponge … and attempt the raspberry yogurt Bundt recipe from Rachel McGrath … so so many to choose from I simply can’t !!!!!

I also asked Julia for any tips on making a successful Toffee Shock Cake

Any advice I would offer on making my Toffee Shock Cake is … don’t stress it ! It truly is a simple cake to make … anything goes , there are no rights or wrongs .. just bake , assemble and enjoy !!! Your friends and family will love it … I was recently told by a lady that it tasted better than her son’s wedding cake .. and that was made by the Famous Choccywoccydoodah !!! So you guys can also make this amazing confection and spread the word …… ! It’s certainly a showstopper !!!!

I have to agree, it is rather a spectularly tasty cake. I was a bit too impatient when I made my fudge topping and didn’t simmer for long enough so it was still quite runny. I left it overnight and it was so much better by morning. Apparently, the stirring also helps to make it thicken – think I was a bit too keen on the tasting!

Can’t wait to see everyone else’s interpretations – you may have noticed that I used Ferrero Rocher chocs for my decoration – I knew the girls wouldn’t eat fudge pieces and surprisingly we had some FR’s left over!

We’ve had 2 rich cakes so far in our quest to bake our way through the book so our next cake will be the Feather Light Cake courtesy of Helen Jones with the added ingredient of air!

Dates to remember:
Linky closes – Monday 11th March – I will do a round up that night of anyone who has linked up a pic.
Cake-a-long 3 starts – Tuesday 12th March