I LOVE Magic Cakes! My love affair began when I first tried a delicious slice (ok maybe a few slices) of this Vanilla Magic Custard Cake and was further strengthened after making this Chocolate Magic Custard Cake, so I was all kinds of excited to have the opportunity to review the new ‘Magic Cakes’ book by Christelle Huet-Gomez.
This book is filled with 32 stunning Magic Cake recipes with every kind of flavour you could think of from a Mango and Passion Fruit Heat Cake, Lemon and Poppy Seed Cake to savoury options like a Magic Mustard Quiche. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the deliciousness that is a Magic Cake, it’s a simple cake batter that when baked in your oven at a low temperature, it magically divides itself into three delicious layers: a dense and moist cake base, a delicate custard cream filling and a light and fluffy sponge on top – three cakes in one, no wonder I can’t resist!
After much deliberation I decided to try the Salted Butter Caramel Magic Cake, after all how can anyone resist a caramel cake? The cake itself was really simple to put together and Christelle has included lots of handy tips to ensure your magic cakes turn out perfectly every time.
It really does go against everything you know as a home baker to not keep mixing this cake batter until it’s completely combined, but it’s essential to not dissolve your egg whites when making a magic cake.
Although you can try serve these cakes once cool (after around two hours) I used all of my will power and waited until the next day to give the flavour some extra time to develop and I was not disappointed!
Salted Butter Caramel Magic Cake and a Giveaway!
Ingredients
- 300 g caster sugar
- a few drops of lemon juice
- 150 ml of pure cream - warmed
- 75 g of salted butter - cubed
- For the Cake
- 450 ml of milk
- 4 eggs separated
- 70 g of salted butter - melted
- 90 g of plain flour
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Firstly, make the caramel. Place the caster sugar and lemon juice into a large thick bottomed saucepan and cook over a medium/high heat until the sugar mets and turns a lovely caramel colour. While the sugar is cooking, place the single cream into a small microwave safe bowl and warm slightly.
- Once the caramel has changed colour, carefully add the warm cream before removing the saucepan from the heat and stirring in the cubed salted butter.
- Set aside 100g of the caramel and add the milk to the remaining caramel in the saucepan. Place the saucepan over a medium heat and bring the mixture to the boil until the caramel has been completely dissolved in the milk. Allow to cool.
- Preheat your oven to 150 degrees and line and grease a 24cm round cake tin.
- Beat the egg yolks with the melted butter and fold through the flour and salt before adding the caramel milk a little at a time and beating constantly.
- Beat the egg whites in an elective mister until they are still and use a whisk to gently fold them through the cake batter - t's ok if you batter is still lumpy!
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared tin and smooth the surface with the back of a knife. Place the cake into oven for 55 minutes to cook. When you remove the cake it will still wobble slightly.
- Once the cake had cooled for 20 minutes in the tin, transfer it to the fridge to completely cool for a minimum or 2 hours - or overnight if possible before removing it from it's tin.
- Serve the cake straight from the fridge with the caramel you have put aside and some lightly toasted almonds.
If you are thinking of adding to your recipe book collection, Magic Cakes by Christelle Huet-Gomez is a must have. As well as making this Salted Butter Caramel Magic Cake, I’ve also tried the White Chocolate Magic Cake and have plans to try the Pineapple and Coconut Magic Cake and Magic Red Velvet Cake very soon!
For your chance to win one of three copies of Magic Cakes by Christelle Huet-Gomez all you need to do is answer the following question:
‘Who would you make a Magic Cake for and why?’
Magic Cakes by Christelle Huet-Gomez is published by Hardie Grant Books and has a recommended retail price of $19.95. You can purchase a copy here.
Disclosure: I was gifted a copy of this book for the purpose of a review, all opinions and recommendations are my own.
Competition Terms and Conditions:
1. Entires close at 11.59pm Friday 9th October 2015 (AEST).
2. Sorry, this competition is open to Australian residents only.
3. Three winners will each receive a copy of Magic Cakes by Christelle Huet-Gomez rrp $19.95
4. This is a game of skill, the three winners will be choses based on the most creative answers as determined by the judges.
5. The judges decision is final.
6. This prize is not transferrable or redeemable for cash.
7. Winners will be announced on this blog and the Create Bake Make Facebook Page by Wednesday 14th of October 2015.
8. Prizes will be issued by Hardie Grant Books. Neither Hardie Grant Books or Create Bake Make takes any responsibility for prizes which may get lost in the mail.
9. A valid email address is required with all competition entries.
Marnie says
Me! Because I have two tiny children and I deserve a treat! 🙂
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
I would make a magic cake for my husband, well, because I think he’s magic. True story. Ohmagawd, that cake looks epic. The sooner someone invents lick-a-vision, the better!
Iriny Bodrilla says
My mum! She has performed so much “magic” for me during my life that I’d like to give some back to her
Carly Gerreyn says
For my lovely friend, who lost her battle with cancer earlier this year. To be able have one more chat with her would make this a truly magic cake
Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy says
So that’s what a magic cake is! It looks divine! If I were to make a magic cake I would make it for my sister when I go to visit her in the USA in November. Once it was ready I can imagine us sitting for hours eating cake and drinking coffee while catching up on 2 years having not seen each other. There’s nothing better than catching up over coffee and cake and I’m sure this magic cake would make it extra special.
[email protected] says
I haven’t tried a “magic cake” yet as my family are not keen on custard. This caramel one looks amazing especially with the sauce drizzled over. I would make this with my kids for my kids (and me of course!).
Jenny S says
I’d make this delish magic cake for the cake stall at my kid’s school fete… It’s magical qualities would provide the illusion that I actually know what I’m doing in the kitchen, plus as a reclusive ‘ninja mum’ it’ll help win me some much-needed brownie points for use at the school gate! 😀
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry says
For my partner, because he can never decide which kind of cake he wants! That way, he’d be able to have three in one! 🙂 Would save us a lot of time standing around deciding…
Robyn Tilley says
This sounds delish and would be a surprise treat for my one in a million hubby, who turns 60 on the 9th of November. He needs to be treated and spoilt as he never complains, always supports me in every way, and gave a 100% while I cared for my amazing mum.
Pat Hughes says
I’d make a Magic cake for my sister, Carol. We’ve both had a bit of a rough trot lately, we’ve both lost our ‘heart’ dogs and we miss them so much. I know that Carol has made a custard Magic cake and loved it, so it would be wonderful to win a copy of the book so that we could share it. The Magic cake I’d make would be shared for morning tea.. 🙂
Helen says
The 92 year old neighbour, who can still cook SO much better than me!
Peachy Keen Mumma - Jess says
A 2nd time mum
who helped with my first
deserves a good crumb
A magic cake from the list
The cakes come in threes
so much more to enjoy
each layer is different
each bite brings pure joy.
So I’ll bake her a cake when her
magic day comes
when her baking is done
my baking will have begun.
Vicki @ Boiled Eggs & Soldiers says
I didn’t know that is why they were magic, they really are and that looks divine. I’d make one and then invite the all the new neighbours over for afternoon tea to introduce ourselves and apologise for all the building works going on at our house. Hopefully the cake would work it’s magic and we will have lovely neighbours! (thanks also for linking in with YWF) x
Bec @ Styled by Bec says
I’ve never seen a cake like this but it looks divine!!! If I made a magic cake id make it for Jacob because he loves my baking!
Marie Gardner says
it will be my elderly Mother’s 87th birthday on October 10th & she has always been an excellent cook & used to make the most divine cakes for the family. Sadly she was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer 2 months ago & has gone down hill very fast so we fear that this may be her last birthday. She does does not have much appetite but adores sweets so I would love to surprise her for a change with a delicious new cake for her birthday when the family are gathering for lunch at her home.
Marie Gardner says
it will be my elderly Mother’s 87th birthday on October 10th & she has always been an excellent cook & used to make the most divine cakes for the family. Sadly she was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer 2 months ago & has gone down hill very fast so we fear that this may be her last birthday. She does does not have much appetite but adores sweets so I would love to surprise her for a change with a delicious new cake for her birthday when the family are gathering for lunch at her home.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
I keep seeing magic cakes and intending to try and make one, this could be a great place to start. I’d make one for my grandmother as I think she would really appreciate it and any opportunity to sit down and have a cup of tea with her should be taken up.
Suzanne says
I would make one for my husband because last time I attempted one it was a dismal failure and I need to redeem myself:)
Kim says
I would make a Magic Cake for my work colleagues. We are always looking for that elusive magic bullet, how about starting with a Magic Cake!
Michelle V says
My beautiful mum, who is recovering from a hernia operation. It would most definitely cheer her up!
Vanessa says
The Feasting Hall at Hogwarts with all of the Harry Potter gang and the ghosts, teachers, freed house elves and the moving portraits. We can share our memories of those no longer with us. Failing this… JK Rowling to thank her for allowing us to openly admit we love magic ✨
Christelle / Il était une fois la pâtisserie says
Hi ! I am the French author of the book 🙂 Thank you so much for your article! <3
Lauren says
Thank you so much for visiting Christelle, your book is amazing!
Katrina says
I’d make these cakes for the family gatherings we have – whether it is my own family or my in-Laws. We all live in different cities all over Australia and the world! From my inlaws in Brissy, Parents in Newy, Sister in Lismore, Brother in London and brother-in-law in Sydney, its rare that more than 3 of us are together at a time!
Jessica Osborne says
I would make this cake for a ‘any time occasion’ this is too good not to share and who needs an occasion to eat cake when it is this easy and this good!
Carolyn . Barnard says
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Kathy says
I would make this magical cake for the tooth fairy – so it really would be a unique magical Fairy Cake! On her next special journey to our home, after her hard work collecting the special tooth, she could have a well deserved marvellous, magical midnight feast!
Carolyn . Barnard says
I would make this for my grandchildren as they think everything I make is just magic
Kathy says
I would make this for my daughter as she does so much for everyone else, so she needs a well deserved treat
Glenda says
I would make a magic cake for my husband, we have recently renovated our Kitchen and I have a new oven, I’ve lost my confidence, my mojo … Perhaps the magic will help me get it back.
I’d love to surprise him . Thanks