Prinsesstårta (Princess Cake)

Preparation

1. Make the cake layers

   Step 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare 3 baking sheets, greased and lined with baking parchment.

   Step 2

   Beat together the eggs and sugar on high speed in a stand mixer or using a hand-held electric whisk. Beat until the mixture reaches ribbon stage—you will be able to see the traces of the mixture when you move the whisk.

   Step 3

   Use a 8-inch diameter plate to draw three circles on baking parchment. Cut these out and place one parchment circle on each of the three baking sheets. Set aside.

   Step 4

   Combine the flour, salt and vanilla in a separate bowl. Sift into the egg mixture, bit by bit, carefully folding using a figure-of-eight movement until incorporated. Pour the cooled melted butter down the side of the bowl and fold carefully again, trying not to knock out air.

   Step 5

   Divide the mixture evenly between the parchment circles on the baking sheets spreading right to the edges of each circle with the back of a spoon. If they go over a bit, don’t worry, you can cut these bits off afterwards.

   Step 6

   Bake in the preheated oven for 5–7 minutes or until light golden brown.

   Step 7

   Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before removing the baking parchment. If the parchment sticks, slightly dampen the paper side with cold water and the paper will come off easily. Trim any untidy edges using a sharp knife.

2. Make the pastry cream

   Step 8

   In a saucepan, heat the milk with the scraped out seeds from the vanilla bean.

   Step 9

   In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar and add the cornstarch.

   Step 10

   When the milk has just reached boiling point, take off the heat and pour one third into the egg mixture while whisking continuously.

   Step 11

   Once whisked through, pour the egg mixture back into the remaining hot milk. Return to the stove and bring to the boil, carefully. Whisk continuously as the mixture thickens, for just under a minute, then remove from the heat and stir in the salt and butter.

   Step 12

   Pour into a cold bowl and place a sheet of baking parchment on top to prevent the cream from forming a crust as it cools. The mixture will keep well in the refrigerator for a few days.

3. Make the marzipan (optional)

   Step 13

   If using homemade marzipan instead of store-bought, blend the ingredients together in a food processor until you have a smooth marzipan.

   Step 14

   Roll the mixture into a log and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before using.

4. Make the princess cake

   Step 15

   Whip the cream with the confectioners’ sugar until stiff. Spoon two thirds into a separate bowl. Mix the remaining one third of the whipped cream with the prepared pastry cream. 

   Step 16

   Make sure your prepared layer cake bases are completely even in size. If not, trim to fit. Place the bottom layer on your chosen serving plate; you won’t be able to move the cake once assembled.

   Step 17

   Spread the raspberry jam/jelly evenly onto the base layer of the cake, then add half of the pastry cream mixture. Top with the second cake layer. Repeat with the remaining jam/jelly and second helping of the pastry cream mixture. Add the top cake layer.

   Step 18

   Using a cake spatula, spread three quarters of the remaining stiffly whipped cream in a thick layer on the top and the sides of the cake. Make sure the cake is covered evenly all over to prevent jam/jelly from seeping out. Some people prefer to shape the cream into a dome; I quite like more of a level top on my princess cake, but it is up to you.

   Step 19

   Next, roll out the green marzipan on a surface lightly dusted with confectioners’ sugar or over the top of baking parchment (to prevent sticking). Roll out into a large, even circle, big enough to cover the top and sides of the cake (around 14 inches in diameter).

   Step 20

   Carefully drape the marzipan on top of the cake and peel back the baking parchment, if using. Pull gently around the edges to bring the marzipan down to cover the cake, taking care not to overstretch. Once the marzipan is smoothed over and touching the base all the way around, trim away the excess. Press the edges gently in at the base.

   Step 21

   To make the rose decorations, mold the pink royal icing or marzipan into ¾-inch tall teardrop shapes for the inside buds. Then roll out small round petal-shaped pieces of icing around ¾  x ¾-inch and wrap each one around the bud in layers. Cut the base off and fix the roses on top of the cake. Lastly, roll out the green royal icing or marzipan and cut out leaf shapes to fix by the sides of the rose. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.