Creamy Coffee Cake by Zarnak Sidhwa

Ingredients:

For Coffee Sponge:

• Eggs 3
• Sugar 1/2 cup
• Flour 1/2 cup
• Vanilla essence 1-1/2 tsp
• Coffee 1 tbsp

For Coffee Cream:

• Cream 2 cups
• Coffee 1 tbsp
• Vanilla essence 1 tsp

For Sugar Syrup:

• Water 1 cup
• Sugar 3 tbsp
• Coffee 1 tsp
  

Method:

1. For coffee sponge: Grease, line a 8 inch round tin, flour lightly. Keep aside.
2. Preheat oven to 190 degrees C.
3. Beat eggs very well, add the coffee, essence and the sugar.
4. Sift the flour over the egg mixture in three additions.
5. Fold in the flour very gently but thoroughly.
6. When all the flour has been incorporated, transfer the batter to the tin.
7. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or till a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. If you find the cake browning too much, carefully slide a sheet of aluminum foil over the cake.
9. Leave the cake in the tin for 10 minutes and then run a knife along the sides to release the cake.
10. Turn on wire rack and cool completely.
11. When cool, slice horizontally into 2 layers.
12. For the cream icing: Beat the cream, add essence and coffee.
13. Refrigerate till using.
14. For sugar syrup: Combine water, sugar and coffee and bring to boil.
15. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
16. To assemble: Place one cake layer on plate or board and brush or spoon sugar syrup evenly.
17. Spread the cream using an off set spatula.
18. You can put nuts or chocolate chips on this layer of cream.
19. Place the top layer, spoon syrup again.
20. Frost with the cream. Chill and decorate.