SIMPLE ICED CHRISTMAS CAKE
This icing design is perfect for a home-made or shop-bought cake
COVERS a 20.5cm (8in) cake * PREP 40min, plus drying
* 2tbsp apricot jam
* 20.5cm (8in) round fruit cake
* 500g (1lb 2oz) marzipan
* 2tsp vodka (or freshly boiled water) * Icing sugar, to dust
* 500g (1lb 2oz) ready-to-roll white icing * Edible gold lustre spray
❶ Warm jam to loosen, then pass through a sieve to make a spreadable consistency. Brush over the top and sides of the cake.
❷ Take half the marzipan and roll into a sausage shape – this will be used to cover the sides of the cake. Using string, measure the circumference of the cake and cut the string to this length. Using the string as a guide, roll out marzipan to length and trim the edges on top, so marzipan is the same height as the cake. Stick marzipan strip around the side of the cake.
❸ For the top of the cake, roll out the remaining marzipan to about 5mm (¼in) thick. Use the cake tin as a template to cut a circle. Place the marzipan on top of the cake and press the edges together to get a clean join. Smooth all over the cake to remove any bumps, then set aside to dry overnight.
❹ Brush the marzipan with the vodka. Using a piece of string, measure across the cake top and down the sides to the board and cut the string to this length.
❺ Dust a surface with icing sugar, then roll out the ready-to-roll icing into a circle as wide as the length of string. Carefully roll the icing on to the rolling pin and transfer to the cake. Starting from the top, gently smooth the icing with your hands. Gradually work down the sides of the cake, smoothing the icing out and removing any bumps. Trim off any excess with a sharp knife.
❻ Roll out the remains of the icing to a £1-coin thickness. Cut out shapes using different sized star cutters. On baking parchment, set out the stars and spray with gold lustre. Leave to dry overnight.
➐ The next day, add finishing touches. Using a little vodka, stick the stars on to the cake – stack them for a 3D effect. Tie a ribbon around, if you like.