Cherry Cake

Description

A simple sponge full of delicious cherries that makes an ideal teatime treat for the family.

Ingredients

• 6 oz / 175 g natural cherries
• 4 oz / 125 g self-raising flour, sifted
• 3 oz / 75 g plain flour, sifted
• 3 tbsp / 45 ml cornflour
• rind of 2 oranges
• 6 oz / 175 g caster sugar
• 6 oz / 759 g margarine
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• caster sugar, to sprinkle
• 6 glace cherries, halved
• angelica, to decorate

Directions

1. Preheat oven to gas mark 4 / 350 °F / 180 °C.
2. Grease and line tin.
3. Wash cherries and pat dry on kitchen paper cut in half.
4. Place flours in a bowl and stir in cherries and orange rind.
5. In a separate bowl, beat together sugar and fat until light and fluffy.
6. Beat in eggs gradually, adding a little of the flour after each addition to avoid curdling.
7. When all the egg has been incorporated, carefully fold in the rest of the flour containing the cherries and rind.
8. Spoon mixture into prepared tin ensuring the cherries are evenly distributed.
9. Using a spatula, smooth out top, and form a slight dip in the middle.
10. Cook in centre of oven for 1 hour.
11. Cover with roil after 20 minutes to prevent burning.
12. Cook until a skewer inserted in centre comes out clean.
13. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes.
14. Turn out onto a wire rack and cool.
15. Sprinkle with caster sugar, and decorate with the cherries and angelica.