Sunday 22 June 2014

Emergency Cake! It's my Blogiversary!

I've just realised that I started this blog one year ago today! Whoo-hoo, Happy Blogiversary to me! With all the recent sponge-tastic posts though, would you believe I've forgotten to bake a celebratory cake? Fanny must've known too, as the final of her sponges in this partwork is a cake for an emergency! She doesn't specify of course what the emergency might be. Perhaps one of the neighbours you are trying so hard to 'keep up with' pops round unexpectedly? Perhaps one of the long suffering assistants has reached a milestone, staying in Fannys employ for a whole year? Or perhaps like me, a special celebration creeps up on you unawares. Fannys answer is an Ice Cream Sponge. Sounds so 70's. And even better for me, it uses the very first recipe Fanny taught me a year ago - the standard Swiss Roll panel. Fanny'd up of course.


For her emergency solution, Fanny uses two big Swiss Roll panel cut into squares, but learning from all she has taught me so far, I make 5 smaller Swiss Rolls. Get me. She notes that you could also use her own invention, the 'Fanny's Egg Yolk Sponge' pressed down just like the Dobostorte. But it's Swiss Roll for me, quick to make and turns out perfect every time, if you follow Fanny's instructions of course!


As it's a special celebration for me, I want to reflect that in the cake. Fanny makes an ordinary square cake, but I cut my panels into a large 1 shape. Above all, garnish and presentation. I'm sure Fanny would want me to make a template, but I just go for it free hand, this is an emergency after all!


All that remains is to assemble the cake, which is filled with ice cream. Fanny, slightly shamefully, recommends that for emergencies it is perfectly acceptable to use 'bought' ice cream from the freezer. She does note that not everyone is as fortunate as she is to have a home freezer though. The bought ice cream of choice is a 'brick', how very 1970's - who knew you could still buy them!


So I carefully slice pieces of the ice cream and layer up the cake, brushing the sponges with apricot glaze to help it all stick together. I have to admit an altogether different kind of emergency is imminent as the ice cream is quick to melt, so I pop the whole cake back in my 'ordinary domestic freezer' while I set about whipping up some cream for the topping. Fanny suggests Crème Chantilly, and who am I to refuse a little apricot brandy in my cream? And a little harmless colouring too, it just wouldn't be a celebration without a splash of colour! So, emergency averted, I have a celebration cake! Thanks to you all for reading my ramblings over the past year, hope you stick with me as the creations get stranger and stranger! Now, quick, grab a slice before it melts everywhere...

16 comments:

  1. Oh Lordy it's a beauty... Happy blogaversary. Xx

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    1. Thanks so much Dom, especially please to see your comment here - you were the very first person to comment on my blog a year ago! Thanks... Many more years to come, so hope you stick around!

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  2. That is one impressive looking emergency cake.

    Congratulations on your first blogiversary, here's to another year of Fanny!

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  3. Happy anniversary! A year is such a milestone : )
    Loving the cake - brick ice cream to the rescue! Here's to many more happy blogging years.

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    1. Thanks! In some ways it's flown past, but mostly I think it's been because it's been such good fun, with lots of fab support! Many, many more years to come!

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  4. Congratulations - what a fab blog it is!

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  5. Happy happy blogiversary! I love your cake - very groovy! Many congratulations in creating so many weird and wonderful dishes in the past year. Can't wait to see what you and Fanny come up with in the next year. x

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    1. Thanks Vohn, your support means a lot, will try not to let you down!

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  6. Happy birthday!! Congratulations on a whole year of Fanny goodness. I look forward to another year of reading about your kitchen exploits.
    That golden pineapple (ice bucket?) absolutely rocks. I NEED one.

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    1. Thanks so much, that means a lot! And yes, it's an ice bucket! Every cocktail cabinet needs one! ;-)

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  7. Woohoo! I love that the block of ice cream states right on the package "ready for slicing" as though Sainsbury's knew exactly what amazing 70s-inspired goodie you were going to make with their product.

    Happy blogiversary!

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  8. Congratulations on your 1year milestone. And here's to a second year of Fantastic Fanny Fare.
    Must get myself some slicing brick ice cream. The 70s live again.

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    1. Thanks, lots more years of Fanny Fun to come ;-) Who knew ice cream bricks were still a thing?

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