IN THE UNIVERSE OF GIFTS… I happen to think that cake makes the world go round.

Flowers are nice; a meal a practical pleasure. But a cake (or slice). Now that says you simply want to make someone smile. That you have noticed. That you would like to celebrate; say thank you; hello; are you okay?

I know more of us might enjoy the baking process; if we were reminded the quantity of time spent; does not necessarily sacrifice the quality of the offering.

I don’t love spending hours slaving in the kitchen, I am an efficient cook at best. I could do more about the repertoire I serve up most mealtimes – but honestly; these days the best meal I can think of is something someone else has made.

The one exception is cakes…

For whoever rejected a proffered fragrant, moist, morsel – simply because it took the giver less time to make.

Just in case you really can’t bring yourself to fire up the oven (and there are times when I really can’t); here is my pick for the best ‘homemade style’ cake shops in Sydney.

Join me in sharing some sweetness – it’s simple – but always more than “just a piece of cake”.

RECIPE

Lime Coconut Cake  15 mins to make, 30-45 mins to bake, NOVICE proof

1 ¾ cups sugar

150g butter

4 eggs

2 cups shredded coconut

2 cups self-raising flour

1 tsp. baking powder

½ cup coconut cream

¼ cup Bickfords Lime Cordial

Lime Icing: 3 tbsp. fresh lime juice, 3 cups icing sugar, coconut milk sufficient to make a drizzly icing

Heat oven to 170C. Line a 25cm (although don’t get too hung up on the size) cake tin with baking paper (base and sides).

Cream butter and sugar, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Add coconut, flour, baking powder – folding gently into the mixture. Last add coconut cream and Lime Cordial.

Pour mixture into the prepared cake tin. Bake for 30-45mins (depending on your oven).’ Test with a skewer and when it comes out clean remove cake from the oven – voila.

Prepare the icing while the cake cooks. I just beat it all together, adding the coconut milk at the end simply to ensure it is a consistency which will be easy to pour. Ice when cake is cool.  It looks pretty if you grate some lime zest and sprinkle on top.

Do you ever bake, if you do I’d love you to share an easy recipe, I’m always looking to update the basics?

Do you have any favourite cake shops in Sydney? Be kind and share your secrets….