Mary Berry Cherry Cake Recipes

MARY BERRY CHERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4. Spray an 18cms/7" savarin mould or bundt tin with some cake release spray or grease with butter.
• Cut the cherries for the cake into quarters, rinse them well in warm water and then dry thoroughly before sprinkling some flour over them, toss in the flour to coat them all.
• Measure the rest of the cake ingredients into a large mixing bowl and beat well for 2 to 3 minutes - I used a hand held mixer - until the ingredients are well blended. Add the cherries and lightly fold them into the cake batter.
• Spoon the cake batter into the prepared tin or mould and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until well risen and golden brown. Test by inserting a skewer into the middle of the cake, it should come out clean if the cake is baked.
• Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes and then turn it out to cool completely on a wire rack.
• When the cake is cold, make the icing by mixing the icing sugar with the lemon juice to make a thick paste. Place the cake on a serving plate and drizzle the icing over the cake with the back of a spoon. Scatter the toasted almonds over the icing and then arrange the cherries on top.

MARY'S CHERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Grease a 23cm/9in bundt tin or savarin mould with butter.
• Cut the cherries into quarters. Set aside five of the quartered cherries for the decoration later. Put the rest of the quartered cherries in a sieve and rinse under running water. Drain well then dry thoroughly on kitchen paper and toss in two tablespoons of the flour.
• Measure all the remaining ingredients into a large bowl and beat well for two minutes to mix thoroughly. Lightly fold in the cherries. Turn into the prepared tin.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until well risen, golden-brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes then turn out and cool on a wire rack.
• For the icing, mix the icing sugar together with the lemon juice to a thick paste. Drizzle over the cooled cake using the back of a spoon, sprinkle over the toasted almonds and reserved cherries.

MARY'S ROYAL CHERRY TRIFLE

Steps:

• First, make the custard. Tip the caster sugar, cornflour and vanilla into a mixing bowl and add the eggs and egg yolk. Whisk with a hand whisk until smooth and blended.
• Pour the milk and double cream into a pan and heat gently until hot, but do not boil. Pour this over the egg mixture and immediately whisk until blended. Wash the pan to remove any scum from the milk and pour the custard back into the clean pan. Heat gently, stirring constantly until thickened. Don't panic if the custard starts to look lumpy as it thickens, just continue to heat and whisk until the custard is thick and smooth. Pour into a jug and cover the surface of the custard with cling film to prevent a skin from forming. Set aside to cool.
• Tip the stoned cherries into a pan with half the jam or conserve and cook over a medium heat for 5-10 mins until softened and saucy. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.
• Spread half the slices of Madeira cake generously with the remaining cherry jam. Sandwich with the remaining cake slices, then cut in half. Pour the kirsch or brandy into a shallow bowl, dip each sponge sandwich into the liqueur, then arrange in the base of the trifle dish (you will need a shallow, straight-sided, 20cm round glass dish about 5cm deep). Line the edges of the dish first to create a stripy effect, then fill in the centre with the remaining sandwiches, pouring over any remaining liquid.
• Spoon over the cherries and any juice from the pan, then scatter over the broken biscuits. Pour over the cooled custard, then spread whipped cream over the top. Decorate with fresh whole cherries and chill for a few hours, or make it a day ahead and chill for up to 24 hours before serving.