Lime Charlotte Cake #Bakeoftheweek

I’m surprised that there haven’t been Charlotte cakes popping up everywhere with the arrival of Princess Charlotte. (Did you see those pictures last weekend? How cute?!)

I’ve taken inspiration for this week’s Lime Charlotte Cake from Baking Heaven magazine. You may have seen my recent post about being a magazines.co.uk ambassador – I’m loving it!

I only made the cake in the recipe – There is a section for some filling containing condensed milk and limes. We had so much cake going on in the kitchen though that I just couldn’t justify so much sweetness. So I opted for whipped double cream with the zest of 2 more limes in it instead!

We have had the ladyfingers in the kitchen cupboard for ages. They really needed using up so I decided not to make my own. The girls were delighted – they love them!

Cake Ingredients:
115g (4oz) Butter, Softened
115g (4oz) Caster Sugar
2 free range eggs
115g (4oz) Self Raising Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1tbsp Buttermilk or Sour Cream
Grated Zest of 2 Limes

Method:
Preheat the oven to 180C and line a 6.5 ” cake tin with baking parchment – I only had a 7″ so did it in this. It was quite a shallow cake though and took a LOT of strawberries and grapes to fill it so I would definitely recommend a 6″ or even a 5″ next time.
Using an electric mixer, whisk the butter and sugar and gradually add the eggs until they are well whisked
Add the lime zest and fold in the flour, baking powder and the buttercream
Pour into the cake tin and bake for 20-30 minutes. (After 20 minutes the cake was still very wobbly but starting to turn golden on top so I turned it down to 160C and carried on cooking for a further 15 minutes)

To Assemble:
When the cake has fully cooled place on a flat plate or cake stand
Spread half of the double cream (I used a 284ml tub whisked until very thick) on top of the cake
Use the rest of the cream to dot on the bottom of the ladyfingers and stick around the sides
Secure with a ribbon
Fill in the centre with plenty of strawberries and grapes and sprinkle with icing sugar to finish
Eat immediately

I have to choose these Cherry Lamingtons from Domestic Gothess as my featured Bake of the Week – They are so well done. Hannah makes them look so easy. I first heard about the Australian Lamington when I first started blogging. I read tons of Australian baking blogs (and still do) I’ve never tried them with Cherry jam – I bet they tasted incredible.

I’m always intrigued by the combinations that other bakers come up with – Some prefer using classic combinations and others like just having a go and seeing what works. I’ve got a post coming up in the next couple of days that tests preconceived ideas of taste combinations – Watch this space! So lets celebrate Combinations!

1. Combining 2 of my most favourite flavours – Marzipan & Cherry Scones from Hannah at Domestic Gothess

2. Making good use of what is in her cupboards to produce a magnificent Chocolate & Cherry Cake is Jenny from Mummy Mishaps

3. I would love these Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables with Bulgar Wheat & Feta for a summer’s evening sat outside – Snap Happy Bakes

4. A warm welcome to Eating Enhanced who joins us with Maple & Banana Cake – Welcome to the gang!

5. A lovely combination of rhubarb & almond in Lancashire Food’s cake

6. Making good use of perfectly ripe fruit with her Peach & Rhubarb Upside Down Cake is Janice from Farmersgirl Kitchen

7. Carrot & Almond Cake – Perfect for Coeliacs too from My Little Italian Kitchen

8. These Chocolate Coffee Cardamom Biscuits from Domestic Gothess take just 10 minutes to cook

9. I love Truly Madly Kids description of her Strawberry & Rhubarb Crumble as a Heavenly Summer Crumble – Sure looks like it to me!

10. Stunning Fraisier from Patisserie Makes Perfect – Definitely perfection!

11. One of the first ever cakes I decorated was a Swedish Princess Cake in a uni job in a cake department – Bringing back happy memories is Lili’s Cakes

13. I’m loving these Mini Mango Charlottes from The Dream Baker – perfect for using up store cupboard ingredients

14. Utterly beautiful Peach Custard Pie from Petite Raisin – Super quick to make too

15. Creating Slow Cooker masterpieces is Lucy from Baking Queen 74 with her fantastic Blueberry Madeira

16. Brilliant way of sneaking carrots into bread – A Spiced Carrot Soda Bread that even non-veg lovers will enjoy – The Sneaky Veg Blog

17. Great tutorial with an alternative way of producing the ever popular Chocolate Pouring Cake from A Strong Coffee

If this recipe has got you in the mood for more Lime bakes try some of my favourite bloggers’ recipes too:

Matcha & Lime Cheesecakes from Rough Measures
Mini Amaretti & Lime Cheesecakes from Penne For Your Thoughts (Cor!)
Lime Coconut Drizzle Cake from Jen’s Food
Lime Pistachio Cake with Chocolate Shards from Tin & Thyme (I’ve made this, its blissful!)
White Chocolate & Lime Shortbread from Bake of the Week regular Baking Queen 74
Easy Iced Lime Cake from Fab Food 4 All

Thanks as always to everyone who visits all the other bakers – Its lovely to see that you have beaten me to it when I visit all your blogs. You really are a talented bunch and I thank you so much for sticking with me – especially this week and last week when life has definitely got in the way! There’s no theme as usual – All posts will be commented on, tweeted (if I know your twitter profile) and google+ed – And not forgetting our Bake of the Week Pinterest board which at time of writing has an enormous 48K followers! There’s no theme – all bakes are welcome.

I’m currently planning for my summer break – If you would be interested in hosting Bake of the Week for a week in the summer, please let me know. I would be ever so grateful.

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