Hold it right there – this has to be the ultimate Easter cake! Buttercream-filled layers of salted caramel sponge, decorated with your favourite Easter choc – yum!
For the sauce
300g Caster Sugar
90ml Water
180g Double Cream, room temp.
120g Unsalted Butter, room temp.
½ tsp Salt
For the cake
6 Medium Eggs
550g Self Raising Flour
400g Caster Sugar
350g Salted Butter, room temp.
300ml Milk
300g Caramel Sauce (see ingredients above)
1 tbsp Baking Powder
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
For the buttercream
700g Icing Sugar
350g Unsalted Butter, softened
1-2 tbsp Milk
1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
To decorate
Selection of Aldi Easter Chocolates such as Bunnies, Filled Eggs, Chocolate Lollies, Treasures, Filled Mini Eggs
3 x 18cm Cake Tins, greased and lined
Caramel sauce
Place the sugar and water into a deep saucepan on a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
Increase the heat and allow to bubble for approx. 5 minutes until the mixture is a rich amber colour.
Remove from the heat and carefully whisk in the cream as it will be extremely hot, then add the butter and salt.
When fully incorporated leave to cool.
Cake
Pre-heat the oven to 170°C Fan/Gas Mark 5.
Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Gradually add the eggs, ensuring each fully combined before adding the next.
Stir in the vanilla extract and 300g of the caramel sauce.
Fold in the flour and baking powder, along with the milk, until completely combined.
Divide the mixture between the cake tins. Bake for 40-45 minutes until they are cooked through – well risen, golden and a cocktail stick comes out clean when inserted.
Allow to cool.
When cool enough to handle remove from the tins and leave to cool completely.
Buttercream
Beat the butter for approx. 5 minutes until light, fluffy and much paler.
Gradually add the icing sugar, then the milk and vanilla extract.
Mix until the buttercream is light, fluffy and smooth.
Assembly
Stack the cake by placing a layer of buttercream on the first sponge layer, followed by a drizzle of caramel sauce (if too thick, stir in a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup, until you have the desired consistency.
Not too thin or it will run off the cake when decorating later).
Top with the second sponge and repeat, then place the final sponge on top.
Spread the remaining buttercream over the cake and use a pallet knife to smooth the surface.
Decorate
Spoon caramel sauce over the top, let it drip down the sides and top with chocolates.
