DOTTY CELEBRATION CAKE

Preparation Method :

• Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas Mark 4. Grease and line 2 round cake pans with baking parchment.
• Place the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat well, either by hand or with an electric mixer, until pale and soft.
• Gradually beat in the eggs, adding a spoonful of the flour to prevent the mixture from curdling. Fold in the remaining flour and the vanilla extract.
• Divide the mixture evenly between the two pans and spread out. Bake in the oven for about 20 - 25 minutes or until well risen and springy to the touch.
• Cool the cakes in the pans for a few minutes and then turn out onto wire racks and leave to cool. Peel off the paper.
• Make the butter cream by creaming the butter with the confectioners' sugar until pale and soft. Finally beat in the milk and vanilla extract to taste.
• When the cakes are cool, sandwich them together with the preserves and a half of the butter cream.
• Spread the remaining butter cream over the top and sides of the cake and give a smooth finish.
• Arrange different colored circles of sugar paste or prepared icing all over the top and sides of the cake.