Hungry Stylist: Gin & Tonic cake

I like to bake and every time I do so I like to try something new. This weekend I decided to re-invent the lime drizzle sponge cake with a little tipple of her majesty's favourite – gin!




This isn't a 'healthy' recipe nor does it contain ingredients I would usually eat, however it does consist of less than a quarter of ingredients that a shop bought cake may contain. There ain't no 'thigh dimpling' corn syrup in this scrummy treat.

See ya, I'm off to tuck into a big hunk of this moist sponge cake and a cup of Earl Grey tea.

Find the recipe below:

Ingredients

makes one 8×15 baking dish

3 cups plain flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 3/4 cup granulated sugar

4 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 tablespoons freshly zested lime rind

1/4 cup gin

1/4 cup milk

juice of 1 lime

• Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. 
• Firstly, use an electric mixer and beat butter on medium speed until creamy. Add in sugar and continue to beat on medium-high speed until fluffy.
•  Add in each egg one at a time, beating until mixed before adding the next. 
• Add in vanilla and lime zest, mix.
• Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in a separate bowl.
• With the mixer on low speed, add in half of the dry ingredients. 
• Add in gin, milk and lime juice, mixing until combined, make sure to mix the sides of the bowl too.
• Add remaining flour and mix until just combined.
•  Pour into a greased 8×15 baking dish, and bake for 30 minutes, until top is golden (I always check with sharp knife - if it doesn't come out clean it's not ready). 
• Remove cake from oven and immediately poke holes over top with a fork. 
• Pour gin glaze over then, then let cake cool completely. (See below) 
• We were too hungry to wait but next time I will frost with icing and decorate with sliced limes.

Gin Glaze

1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

1 to 3 tablespoons gin

the juice of 1 lime

• Mix ingredients together until a glaze forms, then pour over cake immediately while it is still warm, allowing it to seep into the holes.
•  You can use tonic instead of gin in the glaze if desired.