… with all the dreadful mess that the world is in at the moment it seems easy to forget that very sadly, we’ve been here before… 2014 marks the 100th year since the start of the First World War. This was the war that shaped the 20th Century and whilst there are none alive today that were in the war itself there are still those of us with parents or grandparents who were directly effected by the terrors of the conflict. I consider myself a pacifist and a humanitarian but of course it’s precisely because of our lack of humanity that war happens, which is why we must never forget our terrible past, nor the fallen heroes who gave their lives for our freedoms…
… yesterday in our beautiful village church we held a small exhibition in tribute to the men from Aby and Belleau who were sent to France to fight in the war. It was a rather beautiful and very poignant day and I was asked to bake some cakes for the event to raise money for the local parish. I wanted to bake cakes that had a very British and traditional feel to them without being stuffy or too old-fashioned and a trip to the local market which was full to bursting with locally grown summer fruits and berries was the inspiration behind the ingredients in these three beauties…
10 – 15 black cherries – halved and stoned
extra chocolate for melting and decorating
to make the ganache, break the chocolate up into a large bowl. Heat the cream in a large pan until nearly boiling and then pour it over the chocolate and gently stir until the chocolate has completely melted and mixed together – then whisk frantically until the cream begins to thicken (it will never clot as theres too much chocolate in it) at which point you should pop it in the fridge for about 30 mins until it reaches a thickened state
to decorate the cake simply go wild… I poured on the ganache and then some melted chocolate and cherry halves as well as a few shards of chocolate
I think strawberries and cream really conjours up everything that is classically British, it reminds me of those long summer days as a kid, picking fresh strawberries on holidays to Cornwall, picnics on the beach and of course watching Wimbledon. I’ve used a little banana in the cake too as I think strawberries and bananas are a fabulous and much underrated combination, plus the bananas add a thickness to the cake and adds the ‘creaminess’ too…
for the cake
4 large free range eggs
250g butter
250g sugar
250g self-raising flour
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
10 large strawberries – cut into small chunks
2 very ripe bananas – mashed with a fork
for the icing
100g butter – at room temp
200g icing sugar
2 tablespoons strawberry jam
grease your bundt tin very well (i use margarine) and pre-heat the oven to 170C
in a large bowl beat the sugar and butter until very pale and fluffy then add 2 of the eggs and beat in until blended well, then add half the flour and beat in again.
scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the vanilla the other two eggs and beat until smooth, then add the remainder of the flour and beat until no flour is left showing
add the jam, the bananas and the strawberries and fold in with a metal spoon
pour the cake batter into the bundt and bake for 30 – 40mins until golden, remove from the oven and cool in the tin for 15 mins before turning out but leave the tin on the turned-over cake till cool
to make the icing simply beat the sugar into the butter until light and fluffy, then beat in the jam
once the cake is cool generously smother the top in icing and fresh fruit
the cake
indulge and of course, enjoy!
Even though these were made to remember a serious occasion they are all absolutely gorgeous and make such a pretty collection. Normally I would go straight for the chocolate one but this time I don't think I can decide which one I like best =)
What a lovely way to pay tribute to the village's own lost men and boys.
Three of my own great uncles were killed in France. One was just seventeen. I'm sure he would have enjoyed a home made cake or two in his short life, and I love the idea of making a cake to remember him.
Sad to say that many of the current conflicts are in some part due to WW1 and some of the decisions made then – it just goes on and on. But what a lovely way to commemorate your village's fallen and mark the day. Fab cakes as always Dom. No wonder the cherry one disappeared so quickly. Well done. And you've reminded me of those adorable little bundt thingies that I missed out on – all gone by the time I made it to Lidl.
Your cakes are a triumph, Dom. Sadly, the wars and conflicts go on and it seems that as soon as peace comes to one area that another erupts in conflict. X
A terrific trio Dom and I do hope the event raised lots of money for the parish and allowed your community to pay tribute and remember all those who gave their lives
Thank you. The chocolate one went first!
Thank you. It is quite incredible how many of us are still touched by this war. Cake helps everything!!
Lovely comment C. So true. Xx
Thanks Janice.
Thanks. It was a lovely but very poignant couple of days.
How thoughtful and delicious! I find those events very sobering, and I believe we need to remember our past, we're supposed to learn from it!
My grandfather fought in World War I in France. He traveled from Massachusetts, USA. We have some postcards that he sent, they are very cherished. Thankfully he returned unharmed.
thanks for the comment, it's amazing how this war touched so many of us yet it was 100 years ago!
What a lovely tribute, the cakes look amazing. I would have been spoilt for choice. We have many family stories about the war and sadly lost some family members during it. It is nice to look back and remember the past
Is there a connection between your village Belleau and the place in France called Belleau Wood, where the Americans fought a big battle in 1917? Lovely cakes, but I must admit that the title of your post led me to expect cakes in red, white and blue!
Thanks Alison, so sad but I hope my post helps the younger folk remember what the older generation had to endure for our freedoms…
Hey Mark, I don't believe so although there is a French connection but the river that runs through our village is called the Great Eau. I think Belleau was one of those common names for pretty places with water like the Spanish influences Buena Vista.
Oh my! Dom, these are truly beautiful cakes! Your post is beautifully written too … it IS sad to think that we haven't learned to find a different and more humane way to deal with our differences, but important to honor those who stepped up when our nation's called them to action. You nailed this one, dearie! And … I'd have quickly glommed onto that banana strawberry number. Back to history, both my grandfathers were doughboys in WW! … my Dad's father was a motorcycle messenger and suffered from a mustard gas attack. Thank goodness he had the cycle to get out of the area. My Mom's father was in the trenches … ugh. What a horrid experience!
In many ways I would love to live your life, Dom. This is a wonderful post, and these are some of my favorite of your photos…that blueberry cake is calling out to me…
thank you… wow, so much family history here!.. always good to remember even if it is through cake. x
come and stay!
What a lovely heartfelt post and your cakes are gorgeous.
These look beautiful and you are quite right to use British ingredients and traditional cakes!
Ooo… these look so good. My mouth is watering. Love the first one especially the glazing. Yummm….
Blessings, Kristy