Good Morning Lovelies, 

You can’t have a birthday without a birthday cake! I even have one and I’ve never been a big fan of cake! There is just something so special about one being brought out, as everyone sings together, to mark such an important day! 

With this in mind, I have been testing a lot of recipes lately, as it will be my mum’s big day in under a week. As someone who loves coffee cake, I often make her a coffee and walnut one to mark the occasion. Yet, since I found out that I am allergic to many nuts, I have been told to stay away from them, meaning her traditional choice can no longer be produced. 

Yet, I am not going to let my allergies stop me from making her a cake. Taking the traditional flavours of a normal coffee cake, I have made a few changes to help bring a new flavour to the forefront for her special day. This recipe is so easy, really tasty and perfect to have with a cup of tea or coffee any time of the year, as the brown butter flavour melts on the tongue. 

You will fall in love with this brown butter and cinnamon sponge upon taking that all important very first bite…

Ingredients

115g of Butter + 60g of Melted Butter

150g + 50g of Caster Sugar

Two Eggs

One and a Half Teaspoons of Baking Powder

Half a Teaspoon of Salt

One and a Half Teaspoons of Cinnamon + One Extra Teaspoon

180g + 75g of Plain Flour

120ml of Milk

One Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

Three to Four Tablespoons of Jam (Any Kind Is Fine)

A Pinch of Salt

A Pinch of Black Pepper (Optional)

Tools 

An Eight-Inch Baking Tin

Three Mixing Bowls

Three Mixing Spoons

A Spatula

A Saucepan

Method

1. Start by preheating your oven to 175ºC before greasing and lining an eight-inch baking tin. Place to one side until needed.
2. Next grab a saucepan and add in the 115g of butter. Heat and brown until it is golden and nutty smelling. 
3. In a mixing bowl, pour in the brown butter along with the sugar and whisk together. Then add in the eggs and vanilla and stir until well combined. 
4. Using another mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients into it and combine together. 
5. Once ready, stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, adding in the milk as you go.
6. When ready, grab your baking tin and place half the cake mixture into it. Then add the jam on top and lightly swirl throughout. 
7. After applying the jam, add the remaining mixture. 
8. Taking another mixing bowl, add the melted butter, extra flour and sugar and cinnamon, as well as the pinch of salt. Using your fingers, create a crumb like mixture. 
9. Pour the crumble topping onto the batter, making sure it is completely covered. 
10. Place into the oven for 35 to 45 minutes until the cake is cooked throughout and golden on top. 
11. After the cake has finished baking, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before cutting and serving!

This cake is perfect to have right away or in a few days' time, when the brown butter has been allowed to caramelize a little bit! Either way, once you have had a bite of it, you will see why it is so perfect to use as a birthday cake! It is truly worthy of a big celebration lovelies! 

Joey X