Cakes & Bakes Recipes

Our cookery classes are as much about learning to cook as they are a sociable experience. We hope you enjoyed your day and are ready to recreate the bakes at home.

We Baked:

  • Red Velvet Gateaux
  • Marbled Banana and Chocolate Loaf
  • Salted Caramel Muffins

Red Velvet Gateaux

Ingredients:

  • 280g unsalted butter, cubed and softened
  • 245g caster sugar
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 25g cocoa powder, sifted
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp red food-colouring paste
  • 6 tbsp hot water
  • 270ml buttermilk
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 335g self-raising flour, sifted
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and grease and line two 20cm round cake tins.
  2. In a bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Combine the buttermilk and red food colouring in a jug.
  6. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
  7. In a small bowl, mix the vinegar and bicarbonate of soda (it will fizz). Fold this into the batter.
  8. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake tins and smooth the tops.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  10. Allow the cakes to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

  • 200g cream cheese, softened
  • 100g unsalted butter, softened
  • 400g icing sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

  1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
  2. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar, beating until well combined and smooth.
  3. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Gateaux Assembly

  1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread with a layer of cream cheese frosting.
  2. Place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
  3. Decorate as desired with red velvet crumbs, edible glitter, or fresh berries.
  4. Chill the cake for at least an hour before serving to allow the frosting to set.

Enjoy your delicious Red Velvet Gateaux!

Marbled Banana and Chocolate Loaf

Ingredients:

  • 140g butter, softened
  • 140g caster sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 140g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 3 very ripe bananas
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder

Method:

  1. Heat the oven to 180°C
  2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3.  Add the eggs slowly and continue to mix until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  4. mashed bananas – add into the mixture
  5. Fold in the sifted flour and baking powder.
  6. Divide the batter in half. Mix cocoa powder into one half.
  7. Add the batter to the tin in blobs, then use a skewer & swirl to marble
  8. Optionally, add a banana halved longways to the top or dried Banana Chips
  9. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted comes out clean.

Salted Caramel Muffins

Ingredients:

  • 250g self-raising flour
  • 150g light brown sugar
  • 125ml whole milk
  • 100g unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 150g caramel sauce
  • 100g caramel chips
  • Pinch of salt

Method:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, light brown sugar, and salt until well combined.
  2. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, whole milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined.
  4. Stir in the caramel sauce and caramel chips until evenly distributed.
  5. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cases, filling each about two-thirds full.
  6. Drizzle a small amount of caramel sauce on top of each muffin for extra caramel flavour.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean.
  8. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Caramel Buttercream

Ingredients:

  • 200g unsalted butter, softened
  • 400g icing sugar, sifted
  • 50ml caramel sauce
  • 2 tbsp double cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • A pinch of salt

Method:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar to the butter, beating on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud. Once incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and beat for another 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Pour in the caramel sauce, double cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue to beat the mixture on medium speed until everything is well combined and the buttercream is smooth and silky.
  4. If the buttercream is too thick, add a bit more double cream, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add more icing sugar, a tablespoon at a time, to thicken it up.
  5. Use the caramel buttercream to frost your cakes or cupcakes. If you don’t use it immediately, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Before using it, bring it to room temperature and re-whip it to restore its smooth texture.

Luxury Caramel

Ingredients:

  • 500g sugar
  • 125g water (just a guide, don’t panic if you use more)
  • 400g cream

Method

  1. Mix sugar and water well
  2. Boil together (do not stir !!!!!!!!!)
  3. When caramel looks nearly black – remove from heat
  4. Pour cream into hot caramel – be very careful as it will boil like lava!!!
  5. Step away from pan
  6. Stir gently – strain and chill
  7. Cold caramel will be very thick and gooey
  8. Store in fridge for up to 2 weeks

We hope you enjoyed the class!

If you have any feedback about the class or questions for chef get in touch. Email: lovetocook@foodsorcery.co.uk

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