Making Monday - not just any old cake

    When, months ago, we got a copy of Fiona Cairns's The Birthday Cake Book, I immediately earmarked one recipe for my birthday. Harriet very kindly made it for me yesterday (the first opportunity since the day itself), and it is everything I'd hoped it would be.

    It may look like 'any old cake' but it's actually Blackberry, Lavender, Rose and White Chocolate Cake: a sponge enriched with melted white chocolate, sandwiched with a blackberry and lavender compote, covered in white chocolate ganache flavoured - delicately - with rose water.

    I didn't feel the need for candles or decoration (rose petals and lavender heads are suggested) so we had it just as it comes, and the flavour combination is superb.

    It may look like a simple Victoria sponge with jam and cream, but it's actually a class apart. Thankyou, Harriet, and as Mr. Hollywood would say: good bake!

(Visit Natalie for more on 'Making Monday'.)