Introducing Betty

Betty is my beautiful bright red KitchenAid that I got courtesy of my in-laws as a wedding gift. She doesn't get used nearly as much as I should but I'm going to try and change that.

On the weekend we had said in-laws over for afternoon tea and enjoyed a very yummy Donna Hay cake which reminded me of my Mum's Icky Sticky Toffee pudding (well the caramel sauce part at least!).

Caramel & Brown Sugar Sponge Cake

Serves 6-8.

• 2/3 cup plain (all-purpose) flour (sifted 3 times)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup caster sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Icing

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup whipping/pouring cream

1. For caramel icing, stir the brown sugar into the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, until dissolved. Increase the heat slightly, till it begins to boil, then reduce heat and continue to simmer rapidly, making sure it does not boil over, for 8 minutes, or until the caramel thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. (I cheated and did this step last and then put it in the fridge to 'quickly' cool it, no harm done!)
2. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease an 8 inch springform pan with butter and line the bottom with non-stick baking paper.
3. Sift the flour and baking powder three times in a small bowl. Set aside.
4. Beat the brown sugar and caster sugar with the eggs for 8-10 minutes, until it is thick, pale and tripled in volume.
5. Sift half the flour mixture over the egg mixture and gently fold in. Repeat with the remaining flour.
6. Pour the mixture into the springform pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cake is springy to touch, and comes away from the sides of the pan. Remove from the pan and place on a wire rack to cool.
7. Spread the cooled caramel icing over the cake to serve.

PS: Remind me next time to take up the pathology lady's very generous offer of a lift home! Even though I live 5 minutes away from where I did the glucose test the rain came pouring down 1 minute in! Fish could now live in my shoes and then once I was almost safe inside the umbrella decided to attack my finger. All in all a fun afternoon.