Time on your hands … the extra bits for the Gateau a l'Orange

This cake is moist – moist is good but, to use the northern vernacular, it can be “claggy”. I would, and do, make extra “drizzle” to serve with a lemon drizzle cake – here's an orange version that is perfect to serve with the Gateau a l'Orange.

Orange Drizzle

200g icing sugar

250ml orange juice – no bits

Put the sugar and orange juice in a small saucepan and heat gently so that the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat and simmer on a low heat for 10 minutes.

P.s. I love what we always referred to as “useless bits of information”. I've only ever heard the word “claggy” in the North West of the UK. To set the record straight it means “sticky” and apparently is Scandinavian in origin – you live and learn!

This cake is also large – I love large cakes – this version freezes perfectly, as does the drizzle. Cut into quarters, wrap in foil and freeze what you don't use for another day!

My final suggestion is to serve your cake with the drizzle and vanilla ice cream. Last week I used up a large pot of double cream, added vanilla bean paste and a tin of condensed milk from my store cupboard and made a batch of vanilla ice cream.

Vanilla ice cream

Prep – 5 minutes

Total time – 5 minutes

plus freezing at least 6-8 hours

or until firm

Gives you 1.6 litres of ice cream is equal

to 18 scoops

1 x 397g tin sweetened condensed milk

1 x 600ml double cream

2tsp vanilla bean paste

Put the condensed milk, cream and vanilla into a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk until the mixture is quite thick and stiff, like pipeable whipped cream. Spoon the mixture into a lidded freezer-proof container

(or use smaller containers if more convenient)

and freeze for at least 6-8 hours or until firm.

Three elements – the cake, the drizzle and the ice cream. If you can't be bothered to make the ice cream then serve with a spoonful of clotted cream. Alternatively serve the cake warm with custard – it's whatever floats your boat!

If you'd like to see a photo guide for the cake, check out the Oranges label 6th May 2018.

Back to store cupboard stuff and something special.