Papaya lover’s cake
Recipe collaboration with Sugar et al
Makes a 7 inch, two-layered round cake
Almond Cake
250 g unsalted butter, softened
1 cup castor sugar
2 and ½ cups self-raising flour
1 cup almond meal (ground almonds)
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Ruby Rise Papaya, peeled, seeds removed and cubed
Edible flowers, to decorate
Sprinkles, to decorate
Papaya- Cardamom Jelly
1 Ruby Rise Papaya
1/2 cup castor sugar
½ tsp powdered cardamom
1 tsp lemon juice
Mascarpone Frosting
125 g mascarpone cheese
2 tbsp. icing sugar
150 ml thickened cream
Preheat oven to 160 degrees C (140 degrees C for fan forced ovens). Grease the base and sides of two 7 inch pans and line the bases with baking paper.
Using an electric mixer beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour, almond meal, milk and vanilla extract and beat on low speed until just combined. Divide the batter uniformly between the two prepared pans.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until cooked through and a skewer inserted in the middle of the cakes come out clean. Remove from oven, leave aside for 5 mins. Gently turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the papaya jelly, peel the papaya and cut it in half. Scrape out the seeds and thinly slice the flesh. In a medium saucepan, place the sliced papaya, sugar, cardamom and ½ cup water. Cook until papaya starts to break down and mixture thickens. Add lemon juice, mix, remove from heat. Allow to cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator until needed.
To make the mascarpone frosting, beat mascarpone and icing sugar until smooth. Add cream. Beat until stiff peaks form. Refrigerated until needed.
To assemble, place a layer of almond cake on a cake plate or stand. Dollop ½ the frosting and spread it with an offset spatula. Spread 4 tablespoon of the papaya chutney. Top with the second layer. Spread with the remaining mascarpone frosting. Top with fresh papaya cubes. Decorate with edible flowers/sugar flowers and sprinkles.
