I usually don’t care about the weather one bit. I’ve never been great friends with bikinis or short denim skirts after a boy once told me I have fat knees. (He was right, irritatingly.) Cold weather is fine by me. That is, until I had children.
Now cold and especially rainy weather makes me feel a bit claustrophobic and panicked. Today I have played Thomas, Duplo, farms, hiding, read 5 Thomas books, made Play Doh pigs, helped colour in Percy the green Tank Engine and served a snack of sultanas as a half time break whilst watching Show Me, Show Me. That was all before midday. Both sons were unaffected by this exertion. They take it in their stride. I however am exhausted.
I baked this cake purely to entice the sun out. It’s very light and yet syrupy. It’s my new favourite cake. I may add pistachios next time too.
Ingredients:
175g margarine/soft butter
175g caster sugar
3 eggs beaten
zest of 3 clementines
3 tbsp whole milk
175g self raising flour
juice of 3 clementines
50g caster sugar
Thoughts on tins: I used one of those silicone traybake pans. Purely so I didn’t have to do any greasing or lining. It measured 24cm x 20cm. You could use a traditional tin or a different sized tin. Just be careful that you adjust the baking time. For a larger pan the bake time is usually less as the cake is less thick. For a smaller tin the bake time is usually longer. You’re looking for the edges of the cake to be pulling away from the sides and for a skewer to come out of the centre clean.
Okay, now for the recipe, it’s very easy. Preheat the oven to 170C. Check the rack is in the centre of the oven. Cream the margarine/butter with 175g caster sugar until really light and creamy. Takes about 4 minutes in a stand mixer. Add the beaten egg gradually, dribble by dribble. Then add the zest and the milk. Worry not if the mixture curdles. Fold in the flour with a metal spoon, pour into your tin, level with the back of a spoon and bake for 20 – 25 minutes until golden on the top and a skewer comes out clean from the middle. Leave to cool on a wire rack still in the tin and then make the sugar syrup by boiling the juice of 3 clementines with 50g of caster sugar for about 2 minutes until the sugar dissolves and it’s bubbling away. Poke holes in your cake with a skewer and pour the syrup over the top. Leave to cool before you cut.
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Holly Bell 
I can not read measurements in grams?
Love adding the syrup, just moistens it right up!
http://thekitschcook.blogspot.ie/
It really does. Syrup rocks. x
I tried this last weekend and it was delicious, although it did have a bit of a tangy aftertaste which wasn’t great, but I think putting less zest in next time might improve that.
I sometimes get that after taste if I’ve grated a bit of the pith into the mixture – could it be that?
This cake sounds so lovely – definitely sounds like it brings the sunshine out even on a cloudy day! Would love to try this when I get my hands on some clementines next. Pistachios would be delicious too, I think. I still love your cupcake recipe with almonds in them. I made them for my mum and her friend, they loved it too!!
I am convinced it worked! Well it did around here anyway! Phew! Might try a lemon, lime and orange version. Might be a bit much. Not sure. xx
I love anything with a citrus fruit! I usually do orange or lemon, but definitely going to have to give this a go!
This cake sounds and looks delicious. It reminds me of an orange cake my mum used to bake, she would make a syrup with the orange juice and pour it over the cake so it was nice and moist…lovely.
That’s exactly it, just a warmer version of a lemon drizzle. X
I’m with you on the weather; it doesn’t bother me too much. I do, however, feel so sorry for people with small kids, folk planning summer fetes, weddings…..it really is messing up plans. I lived in the Middle East for yonks and it was the intense heat that used to enforce home-based activites and it is absolutely exhausting. I had my moments making plasticine Postman Pats and finger painting. It was enough to make me weep at times! Have faith though – the Gulf Stream it is a movin’, and about time too!
Cake looks delish! Will definitely give it a whirl.
Max.
I can only imagine the joy of intense heat and small children. We only holiday in the uk for this very reason.
Ohhh, this looks lovely and I bet the flavour is light and zingy, just perfect for summer (when we get one – ever the optimist!). Can’t believe how bad the weather has been, so this would be just right to cheer me up.
Today I unblocked a drain outside our house with my hands as the water had nowhere to go! Can’t believe it’s July. Yuck! x
mmmmm syrupy moist cake is my favorite.
Agreed about the weather! This is supposed to be the height of summer and I’m still wearing a coat and scarf! Baking all day is the only solution.
Mmmmm I’d always wondered if Clementines would be ok in a cake (I worry about citrus and it being too acidic)
Definitely going to make this. xx
I know what you mean. Makes me think of very hot countries. Maybe a little honey drizzled on the top might be nice too? x
I love the sound of this, my perfect flavour.
Thanks! It’s one of those flavours that both reminds me of Christmas and the summer.