Passionfruit layer cake

Enjoy a white Christmas with a cake that keeps on giving

with every delicious mouthful.

Preparation Time 45 minutes
Cooking Time 65 minutes

Ingredients (serves 10)
Melted butter, to grease
250g butter, at room temperature
430g (2 cups) caster sugar
6 eggs
150g (1 cup) plain flour
75g (1/2 cup) self-raising flour
85g (1 cup) desiccated coconut
160ml (2/3 cup) coconut milk
Fresh coconut, shaved, to serve
Passionfruit syrup
125ml (1/2 cup) fresh passionfruit pulp
2 tbs caster sugar
1 tsp finely grated lemon rind
Frosting
1 x 250g pkt cream cheese, at room temperature
125g (1/2 cup) sour cream
80g (1/2 cup) icing sugar mixture

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush 2 round 20cm (base measurement) cake pans with melted butter to grease. Line bases and sides with non-stick baking paper.

2. Use an electric beater to beat together butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, until combined. Stir in the combined flours and coconut. Stir in coconut milk. Spoon the mixture among the lined pans and smooth surfaces.

Bake for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted in centres comes out clean. Set aside for 30 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool.

3. Meanwhile, to make the syrup, combine passionfruit, sugar and lemon rind in a saucepan over high heat. Bring to the boil. Cook, stirring, for 3-5 minutes or until syrup thickens. Set aside to cool.

4. To make the frosting, use an electric beater to beat the cream cheese, sour cream and icing sugar mixture in a bowl.

5. Use a large serrated knife to remove the top of each cake. Use the knife to split each cake in half crossways. Place 1 layer of cake on a cake stand. Spread over one-sixth of the cream cheese mixture and spoon over one-third of the passionfruit syrup. Continue layering with the remaining cake layers, half the cream cheese mixture and the remaining syrup. Spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the top and side of the cake. Arrange the coconut over the top and side of the cake and serve.

SourceAustralian Good Taste - December 2006, Page 10
Recipe by Sarah Hobbs