Gateaux Recipes - Exotic Celebration Gateau

Ingredients

• 175g butter, softened

• 175g caster sugar

• 3 eggs, beaten

• 250g self raising flour

• 30-45ml milk

• 90-120ml light rum

• 425ml double cream

• 25g icing sugar, sifted

To decorate

• 450g mixed fresh exotic and soft fruits, such as figs, redcurrants, star fruit and kiwi fruit

• 90ml apricot jam, warmed and sieved

• 30ml warm water, icing sugar

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190.C/375"F/Gas 5. Grease and flour a deep 20cm/8in ring mould.

2. Beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs, then fold in the flour and milk.

3. Spoon the mixture into the ring mould. Bake the cake for 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Turn out on to a wire rack and leave to cool.

4. Place the cake on a serving plate. Make holes randomly over the cake with a skewer. Drizzle over the rum and allow to soak in.

5. Beat together the cream and icing sugar until the mixture holds soft peaks. Spread all over the cake. Arrange the fruits in the hollow centre of the cake. Mix the apricot jam and water, then brush over the fruit. Sift over some icing sugar.