caramel threads,
to decorate 5ml/1 tsp vanilla essence
5ml/1 tsp vanilla
essence
275g/2 1/2 cups
plain flour
7.5ml/1 1/2 tsp
baking powder
175g/3/4 cup
butter, at room temperature
165g/generous 2/3
cup caster sugar
4 eggs, beaten
Method:
Preheat the oven
to 180C/350F/Gas4. Line two 20cm/5in cake
tins with greaseproof paper and grease the paper.
Sift the flour and baking powder together three
times.
Cream the butter
and caster sugar until light and fluffy. Slowly mix
in the beaten eggs. Add the vanilla. Fold in the
flour mixture, alternating with the milk. Divide the
batter between the cake tins and spread evenly. Bake
until the cakes pull away from the sides of the tin,
about 30minutes. Stand in the tins for 5
minutes, then turn out and cool on a wire rack.
For the frosting,
bring the brown sugar and milk to the boil, cover
and cook for 2 minutes. Uncover and continue to
boil, without stirring, until the mixture reaches
119 C/235F (soft ball stage) on a sugar
thermometer.
Remove the pan
from the heat and add the butter, but do not stir it
in. Leave to cool until lukewarm, then beat until
the mixture is smooth. Stir in enough cream to
obtain a spread able consistency.
Sandwich the cake
together with frosting and then cover the top and
sides. Decorate with whipped cream, and caramel
threads if liked.