Recipe: Louise Cake

Valentine's means sweets for my sweet and this Kiwi classic is my man's favourite cake. This recipe is cheap and easy to make from cupboard staples.

Louise Cake

Base:
125g butter
3/4 cup Caster sugar
3 Large eggs separated
1 3/4 cup Plain Flour
1.5 tspn baking powder

Topping:
1/4 cup Caster sugar
1 cup Coconut
1 tspn Vanilla essence
1/2 cup Jam

Method

• Preheat oven to 170C
• Grease and line a slice tin or cake tin
• Separate the eggs and set the whites asside
• In a bowl cream the butter and sugar until fluffy and pale, then add the yolks one at a time
• Sift in the flour and baking powder and then mix until it forms a crumbly dough
• Press into the cake tin and prick with a fork, then bake for 10 mins
• While the base proves whip the egg whites into soft peaks
• Slowly add the sugar and vanilla and mix until the meringue turns glossy
• Remove the meringue from the mixer and then gently fold in the coconut
• Remove the base from the oven and spread the jam on with a spatula. You may wish to warm the jam slightly for easier spreading
• Spread the coconut meringue topping over the pastry and jam base and then return to the oven for another 20 mins or until the peaks are golden
• Cool in the tin then remove and cut into squares to serve with tea