This cake was born during a night out with friends. It was one of those nights when we threw caution to the wind and drank cocktails! Crazy, I know! (We don’t get out much these days).
I indulged in an Amaretto and Ginger Ale. Goodness, it was good. My friend, let’s call her Tallulah, (that’s the name she wanted to be known by if I ever wrote this post) said it would make a good cake. Ginger topped with a layer of marzipan.
I got to it that very week. The ginger cake topped with marzipan was good but not great. A couple of weeks later and I felt inspired enough to try again. Adding the marzipan into the batter makes for a deliciously moist cake and the combination of pieces of chewy, zingy crystallised ginger and soft, comforting marzipan is a winner.
This cake is perfect for this time of year because it just shouts Christmas to you. It’s also a good way to use up your marzipan trimmings from the Christmas cake. This cake will last at least a week. So it’s a good cake to have around at Christmas to share with visitors. Thank you Tallulah, for the inspiration (and for a great night out).
150g butter
125g dark muscovado sugar
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
200g black treacle
200g golden syrup
250ml milk
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
300g plain flour
60g crystallised ginger, chopped into small chunks
150g marzipan (made like the recipe here with 1 tbsp Amaretto added in place of the lemon juice and almond extract, or shop bought), chopped into chunks
Method
Preheat the oven to 170°c, gas mark 3 or use the baking oven of the Aga. Line a tray that measures 30cm x 20cm x 5 cm (the Aga half roaster) with foil or silicon liner. If you are using foil, butter well.
Place the butter, sugar, spices, syrup and treacle in a pan and heat until melted. Take off the heat and stir to combine. Beat the eggs lightly. Add the eggs and the milk to the syrup mixture and stir well to combine. Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl and add the liquid to the flour. Mix well. Add the chopped crystallised ginger and the marzipan and pour the mixture into the tin.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to an hour until lightly springy to the touch. Be careful not to overcook it. Leave to cool in the tin. Wrap in fresh foil and eat a slice whenever you feel the need to indulge.
Crazy, Kath!
I know!
Any dessert that is inspired by a cocktail is bound to be delicious!
You can’t be wrong there Michele. Maybe it should be eaten whilst drinking cocktails too.
Kath, I love you! This sounds absolutely AMAZING! Guess what i’ll be making this weekend. Looking forward to our next night out. Xxx
Think you need to go out drinking more often – this sounds like my sort of cake – yummity yum.
I DO need to go out more. There was a time when Tallulah and I would go out drinking and not talk about cakes. Those days are evidently behind us 😉
I love ginger cake and anything with marzipan added gets my vote. My husband would really enjoy a slice of this!
It is lovely. I love marzipan too and this is the perfect way to sneak a bit more this Christmas.
Ooh that does sound good – ginger ale and amaretto! More nights out with Tallulah!
And this cake, well it truly sounds wonderful. Something about ginger that makes it perfect for the wintry days. Though I have never been that keen on marzipan, it has grown on my the past few years – i think its those stollen bars at Christmas that have helped change my mind. So yes I’d love a slice of this, no I lie – I’d lov a slab of it 🙂
Aw thanks Shaheen. Next time you find yourself ordering a drink make it an Amaretto with ginger. You won’t be disappointed.
Nothing like an Amaretto cocktail to give you such fabulous inspiration—thanks to Tullulah for the concept, and to you for perfecting it. it does shout Christmas–loud and clear!
Thanks nancy 🙂
This is the cake for me! I have said it before here, but almondy stuff and marzipan and Amaretto are all my favourite tastes. I know I would like this and may even get time over the holiday to try it out. Happy Christmas!
Happy Christmas to you too Cathy x
Deeeelicious! Made it for Mum’s birthday as it combines her two favorite ingredients and both kids immediately said they wanted it for their birthdays too. Thanks so much!
Very pleased to hear that it has been a hit. It is a lovely cake, I haven’t made it in ages and must make it again.